Fossil fuel firms investing in Africa face ‘risk of regulatory action’ – US climate envoy

Western fossil fuel companies investing in Africa face a significant risk of regulatory action that’s getting more explicit as the world moves to try to tackle dangerous climate change, a US climate envoy said on Friday. During a virtual media briefing while in South Africa as part of a continental trip, US Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Jonathan Pershing urged investors to consider whether investing in fossil fuels was worthwhile.
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Zimbabwe okays export of 200 000 t of excess power coal

Zimbabwe has allowed the export of 200 000 t of excess power coal because of limited intake at its biggest coal-fired power plant, which is beset by frequent breakdowns, the coal producers association said on Friday. The Southern African nation’s six coal miners have a standing arrangement to supply 300 000 t of coal to Hwange power station every month but constant breakdowns of ageing equipment mean the plant is taking in less coal.
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Solar hybrid system at Fekola mine exceeding expectations

Following the commissioning of the world’s largest off-grid solar-battery hybrid system for the mining industry, at the Fekola gold mine, in Mali, expectations to reduce the mine’s heavy fuel oil consumption by over 13-million litres a year and to lower carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 39 000 t/y have already been exceeded, Suntrace business development and sales manager Ralf Jungebloed tells Mining Weekly. “Solar production, to date, indicates that the plant will exceed initial power production estimates,” he adds.
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IFC, Sodigaz partner to boost access to cleaner energy solutions in Burkina Faso

World Bank Group member IFC and Burkina Faso energy company Sodigaz have entered into an agreement to boost access to cleaner energy solutions for thousands of households and businesses in Burkina Faso. Under the agreement, the IFC’s advisory services team will support Sodigaz to upgrade and expand its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution and service stations, increase solar home kit sales and introduce solar minigrid solutions.
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RMIPPPP preferred bidder confirms delay to end-Jan

One of the preferred bidders participating in South Africa’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) has confirmed that government has delayed the deadline of financial close to end of January. The delay was foreseen, but not confirmed by September 30, which was set as the deadline for financial close.
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Opinion: Energy storage solutions, batteries and bankability of those solutions in sub-Saharan …

In this opinion article, Herbert Smith Freehills Africa Group co-head Martin Kavanagh and finance practice senior associate Joanne Elson write about their predictions for the use of energy storage solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the key areas for consideration when developing and financing those solutions.
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Developer highlights latest bidding round as milestone

Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is a key milestone along South Africa’s energy path and confirms government’s commitment to address power generation shortages in the country, says independent power producer (IPP) Globeleq chief development officer Jonathan Hoffman. “This was an important and necessary signal to the local wind energy sector, which needs predictability and a steady flow of procurement over the coming years to justify the investment in new capacity. This is also important for international suppliers, who have to prioritise certain countries,” explains Hoffman.
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Wind energy push could help turbocharge SA’s economic recovery

The restart of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme’s (REIPPPP’s) Bid Window 5 (BW5), following a considerable hiatus, has brought with it with substantial investment and commitment. This demonstrates that developers can address the electricity-generation needs of the country and climate change commitments, says the South Africa Wind Energy Association (SAWEA).
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Atlas project to be finalised

Local wind energy collaboration the South African Wind Energy Programme (SAWEP) is in the final stages of completing the Wind Atlas for South Africa (WASA) Phase 3 project this year, says SAWEP project manager Andre Otto. SAWEP is a multiyear technical assistance project, funded by the Global Environment Facility to support government in promoting the large-scale commercialisation of wind energy.
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Positive prospects for wind energy

The outlook for the local wind energy sector is “exciting and positive” when considering the wind energy projects that have been implemented throughout South Africa in recent years, which capitalised on increased investor and developer interest in renewable-energy projects, states engineering consultancy WSP in Africa power director Dinesh Buldoo. “There is significant investor enthusiasm in the local power sector, as evidenced by the submissions for the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
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