PBMR to be lifted from care and maintenance by latest Q1 next year – Ramokgopa

The process to lift South Africa’s dormant pebble-bed modular reactor (PBMR) project from care and maintenance is at an advanced stage, says Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The research programme into what was essentially the development of small-scale nuclear power stations was shuttered in 2010, owing to a number of reasons, including escalating costs.
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Eskom simplifies SSEG registration process, lowers cost

State-owned power utility Eskom says it has simplified the compliance and registration process for customers who generate their own electricity through small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) systems, such as rooftop solar panels. From October 1, residential customers can have their systems, excluding single-phase testers, signed off by a Department of Employment and Labour- (DEL-) registered person, rather than an Engineering Council of South Africa- (ECSA-) registered professional.
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South Africa can tap into oil and gas opportunities, if it gets investment certainty right

Investor certainty is key to unlocking South Africa’s oil and gas potential, which rivals that of neighbouring Namibia, says energy geoscience industry association EnerGeo Alliance global policy senior director Ross Compton. The organisation analysed both fiscal revenue and non-revenue benefits, such as jobs, local procurement, infrastructure development, energy planning and security, stemming from each phase of building an upstream oil and gas sector in South Africa.
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Mega 720 MW Karoo wind project, with 100-km self-build powerline, moves towards construction

A mega-scale wind project, which includes a 100-km self-build transmission line to connect into the national grid, is steadily advancing towards construction, which is currently anticipated to begin in the middle of 2026. The 720 MW Nuweveld Wind Farm is sited in the upper Karoo region of the Western Cape, and is being pursued in a partnership between independent power producer (IPP) Anthem (70%) and renewables developer Red Cap (30%), with all the electricity contracted to licensed traders.
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Nersa extends submission deadline for market inquiry into fixed, capacity charges in the …

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has extended the deadline for written submissions and supporting evidence as part of the market inquiry into fixed charges, the generation capacity charge and other related charges levied by electricity distributors, including State-owned Eskom and municipalities, to November 8. The regulator explains that the market inquiry, launched following the publication of the Terms of Reference (TORs) on September 25, is being undertaken in terms of Section 4(b)(ii) of the Electricity Regulation Act, read with Sections 2(b) and 4(a)(viii).
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Longer-term demand-side support needed to realise universal electricity access in Africa – IEA

African countries need $150-billion of investment to realise universal electricity access by 2035, which equals $15-billion of investment every year; however, less than $2.5-billion was committed for electricity access connections in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023.

This insufficient capital is a key obstacle to expanding electricity access to the 600-million people who are without it on the continent, the International Energy Agency (IEA) states in a new report titled ‘Financing Electricity Access in Africa’.

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SAPVIA calls for immediate implementation of IRP2025

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has called for the immediate implementation of the Integrated Resource Plan 2025 (IRP 2025), which it says recognises solar PV as a cornerstone of the energy transition. While the final document is yet to be released, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa provided some details on October 19, including an indication that the plan envisaged 25 000 MW of new solar PV being installed by 2039.
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Eskom welcomes IRP 2025 as a clear investment roadmap

State-owned utility Eskom has expressed support for the launch of South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, which it said aims to balance energy security, affordability, environmental sustainability and socioeconomic priorities in the country’s transition from high-carbon to low-carbon energy sources. The IRP 2025 sets out a framework for electricity supply intended to accelerate economic growth and inclusion, in a context where South Africa’s overall unemployment is 30% and youth unemployment exceeds 50%.
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Growthpoint acquires 30% stake in hydroelectric plant, secures exclusive access through Etana PPA

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has acquired a 30% stake in independent power producer Serengeti Energy’s operational Boston Hydro plant near Clarens, in the Free State. The plant is a new R390-million development with an operational lifespan of over 40 years.
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Investment firms partner to launch R150m smart utilities, infrastructure initiative

Real estate investment and fund manager ALT Capital Partners, through its REimagine Fund 1, has formed a strategic partnership with the investment holding company New GX Capital funded Airnergize Ventures, which focuses on early-stage and scalable disruptive utilities management businesses. Its first investment is into Bolide, which is an integrated utilities brand designed to bridge the utilities service divide, thereby assisting businesses and body corporates to spend less for cleaner and sustainable funded utilities.
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