Global supply chain squeeze, soaring costs threaten solar energy boom

lobal solar power developers are slowing down project installations because of a surge in costs for components, labor, and freight as the world economy bounces back from the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry executives and analysts interviewed by Reuters. The situation suggests slower growth for the zero-emissions solar energy industry at a time world governments are trying to ramp up their efforts to fight climate change, and marks a reversal for the sector after a decade of falling costs.
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Stage 2 load-shedding to start at 10:00, to continue until Sunday

Stage 2 load-shedding will start from 10:00 on Wednesday morning until 22:00 on Sunday night, Eskom announced. This is due to delays in returning generation units to service at Kusile, Tutuka, Duvha, Kendal and Koeberg power stations.
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Presidency backs hydrogen strategy, as new report confirms viability of ramp-up to 3.8mt/y by 2050

Green hydrogen has been identified by The Presidency as the first of five ‘Big Frontier’ strategic investment opportunities and will be directly involved in the finalisation of a much-anticipated ‘Hydrogen Strategy and Investor Roadmap’ Infrastructure & Investment Office head, Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, reported during a webinar on Tuesday that attracting investment to support the development of a green-hydrogen industry was viewed as increasingly important by The Presidency to raising fixed investment to 30% of gross domestic product in line with the National Development Plan’s – the figure currently about 17%.
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SAHPRA registers Janssen Covid-19 vaccine with conditions

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) announced on Monday the registration of the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine on March 31, with conditions. SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela explained that one of the conditions is that the vaccine be manufactured under conditions of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as determined by SAHPRA and aligned with global best practice.
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Eskom warns Stage 1 load-shedding likely to be implemented all week

Eskom will implement Stage 1 load-shedding from 17:00 to 22:00 this evening and will likely continue to do so for the rest of the week.

The State-owned power utility confirms that the grid is constrained owing to the loss of two generating units at the Kusile power station, and one each at the Kendal and Tutuka power stations.

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South Africans to remain focused on delivering Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan

With economic growth fundamental to a brighter future for South Africa, Busines Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso suggests it is the “only way to turn the trajectory of government’s fiscal position as it will boost earnings” and, therefore, tax collection and start to get debt under control. She adds that it is also an important component to solving the unemployment crisis, which has been exacerbated by 1.4-million fewer people in employment, compared with before the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Eskom suspends Koeberg GM while delayed unit investigation ensues

State-owned power utility Eskom has confirmed that the GM of its Koeberg nuclear power station has been suspended while investigations are ongoing into the performance of the power station.

In the meantime, Eskom’s chief nuclear officer Riedewaan Bakardien will oversee the operations of the power station.

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eSwatini highlights considerable strides in renewable energy development

eSwatini has added two more solar photovoltaic (PV) plants to its sustainable energy portfolio, as another of its projects – the Lavumisa 10 MW solar PV plant – nears completion. In a statement, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy acclaimed that eSwatini has made considerable strides in establishing itself as a leader in the rollout of sustainable energy projects while becoming less dependent on neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa for electricity.
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Johannesburg seeks R3.8bn for solar, gas and batteries

South Africa’s biggest city plans to seek at least R3.8-billion in investment in solar and gas-fired power as well as battery storage to improve electricity supply. The City of Johannesburg will issue a request for information for the construction of a 150-megawatt solar plant, 50 megawatts of rooftop solar panels and the refurbishment of an idle gas-fired plant that could generate 20 megawatts in September, the municipality said in a presentation on Thursday. It will also seek information for the installation of 100 megawatts of battery storage.
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Load-shedding suspended for Friday afternoon, but to continue until Sunday

State-owned power utility Eskom has announced that load-shedding will be suspended from 12:00 to 17:00 on June 4, to allow Parliament to pass a series of Appropriation Bills.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament requested that the utility suspend power cuts during this timeframe, as passing these Bills are essential to keeping government operating.

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