Eskom, W Cape govt welcome amendments giving effect to 100 MW reform

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) August 12 Gazetting of its amendment to Section 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act has been welcomed by State-owned power utility Eskom and the Western Cape provincial government.

The amendment permits private electricity generators to operate plants of up to 100 MW without a licence from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, which Eskom, in a statement, says is a progressive step that will, over time, greatly assist in the effort to provide reliable and sufficient electricity for the economy.

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SAPVIA mourns the passing of SAWEA CEO Ntombifuthi Ntuli

Industry association the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) mourns the passing of Ntombifuthi Ntuli, the CEO of  fellow industry body the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). SAPVIA described her death as “a tragic loss of a bold and brilliant leader, who was instrumental in South Africa’s energy transition”.
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Li-ion batteries to dominate energy storage market for the foreseeable future

An acceleration in the use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and climate change mitigation efforts, growing population numbers and higher electricity demand per capita are all major drivers of electricity market growth and, resultantly, energy storage.

To this end, University of the Western Cape associate Professor Ben Bladergroen believes lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries are the best solution for energy storage and will continue to remain so for the foreseeable future.

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Alien vegetation, biomass can produce electricity while saving water

Biomass from offcuts from commercial plantations, including recycled orchards and vineyards, and cleared invasive, alien vegetation from river rehabilitation projects can be used as an alternative, clean heating solution, says biomass harvesting company African Biomass Company (ABC) founding partner and MD Willem van der Merwe. He notes that there are 150 000 t/y of unwanted invasive alien trees available in the Western Cape alone.
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Eskom’s Just Energy Transition initiatives

Creamer Media’s Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about power utility Eskom’s plans for the repowering and repurposing of the Komati power station as part of a larger just energy transition project and financing plan.
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Arnot Opco enters into coal supply agreement with Eskom

JSE-listed coal miner Wescoal reports that Arnot Opco, in which it holds a 50% stake, has entered into a long-term coal supply agreement (CSA) with State-owned power utility Eskom to supply coal from the Arnot mine, in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, for the next ten years. The CSA marks the conclusion of months of negotiations with the power utility, which commenced mid-2020 following the Arnot Opco incorporation. The initial transaction between Arnot Opco and Exxaro Coal Mpumalanga (ECM) in 2019 was heralded as “one-of-its-kind” by the South African regulatory authorities and was led by retrenched ECM Arnot mine employees, Innovators Resources in partnership with Wescoal. Through the CSA, Arnot Opco will deliver coal to Eskom’s Arnot power station through conveyor belts, thereby reducing costs for both the power utility and the mining company. The first delivery to Eskom is expected this year.
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Mantashe publishes long-awaited amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, in an August 12 Government Gazette, published the eagerly awaited amendments to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act to enable distributed generation plants of up to 100 MW to proceed without first obtaining a generation licence. To address the recent electricity deficit situation and reduce the impact of intermittent power supply to businesses and the economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa in June instructed Mantashe to Gazette, within 60 days, an amendment to permit private electricity generators to build and commission plants of up to 100 MW without a generating licence.
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Jacobs appointed to modify Koeberg’s secondary turbine system

NYSE-listed consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery company Jacobs has been appointed to carry out essential engineering modifications as part of a R20-billion programme to extend the operating life of South Africa’s only nuclear power station – Koeberg, in the Western Cape.

The project is in preparation for the installation of six replacement steam generators, each weighing about 380 t and measuring about 20 m long, at the two-reactor plant operated by State-owned power utility Eskom.

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Renewable energy sustainability bound to just transition and positive impacts

The sustainability of renewable energy is linked to its long-term positive impact within host communities and close collaboration will help bring about a socially just transition to cleaner energy, says renewable independent power producer (IPP) Scatec sub-Saharan Africa GM Jan Fourie. He adds that it will also result in a fairer distribution of skills and jobs in the country.
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Renewable energy sector sourcing specialist skills for long-term growth

The renewable energy sector is preparing for the August 16 close of submissions for Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), as well as the next two bidding rounds, by sourcing specialist skills to deliver on renewable energy projects, says South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Ntombifuthi Ntuli. “We are anticipating jobs in manufacturing, logistics, finance, construction and operational phases. These comprise professional services, business services and sales.
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