Nxuba Wind Farm enters commercial operations

Renewable energy developer and operator Enel Group’s South African renewable energy subsidiary Enel Green Power (EGP) has successfully reached commercial operation of its 140 MW Nxuba wind farm in the Eastern Cape.

The project, built at a cost of about €200-million, is expected to generate 460 GWh/y of energy.

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Unplanned shut of Koeberg Unit 1 affects installation of new steam generators, raises …

Electricity utility Eskom reported on Monday that Koeberg Unit 1 would be taken offline for repairs one month ahead of scheduled maintenance after an increasing leak rate was detected from one of the unit’s three steam generators. Eskom said in a statement that the leak rate was “well within the safety limits” and posed “no risk to plant, personnel, or the environment”. It also described the decision to take the unit offline as a conservative one.
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IFC extends $200m loan to Nedbank to increase renewable energy financing

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Nedbank have partnered to increase financing for renewable energy projects in South Africa in an effort to help the country transition to cleaner forms of power, reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and create jobs in the renewable energy sector.
 
Being the third investment dedicated to green finance in South Africa’s financial sector, the IFC will provide Nedbank with a loan of up to $200-million to help it expand its green finance operations and grow its climate portfolio by funding renewable energy projects.
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Siemens Gamesa seals first wind farm project in Ethiopia

Engineering company Siemens Gamesa will deliver 29 SG 3.4-132 wind turbines to State-owned utility Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) for the Assela project − a 100 MW wind farm that will help power over 400 000 Ethiopian households. The wind farm is set to be commissioned by spring 2023 and is slated to save more than 260 000 t of CO2/y of emissions.
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Commission recommends approval of Stanlib Fund II’s buyout of SCDA 3

The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the proposed transaction whereby Stanlib Fund II intends to acquire Solar Capital De Aar 3 (SCDA 3), without conditions. Stanlib Fund II is involved in the provision of financial services and SCDA 3 is a solar photovoltaic (PV) independent power producer (IPP) in the Northern Cape.
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Commission recommends approval of Engie’s buyout of Xina CSP

The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the proposed transaction whereby Engie intends to acquire Xina Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Xina CSP Operations & Maintenance (O&M), without conditions. In South Africa, the Engie Group supplies a mix of renewable energies. Its energy projects in South Africa include the Aurora Wind Power Project.
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120 MW Golden Valley Wind Energy Facility connected to the grid

The 120 MW Golden Valley Wind Energy Facility, in the Eastern Cape, is the latest wind farm to be connected to South Africa’s national grid.  “We are pleased to announce the successful commissioning of all 48 wind turbine generators as the year draws to an end and we prepare to have our portfolio in operations in the next quarter,” says BioTherm Energy CEO Robert Skjodt.
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Eskom’s bailout emerging as equity swap by biggest bondholder

South Africa’s biggest pot of available cash – R1.91-trillion of civil-servant pensions and unemployment funds managed by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) – is emerging as the key to rescuing the debt-stricken national power monopoly. The money manager has approached its parent agency, the National Treasury, with a proposal to ease the R464-billion load of obligations crushing Eskom, signaling officials are gearing up for the complex financial and political operation to convert about R95-billion of Eskom debt held by the PIC into equity.
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Pan African appoints juwi South Africa as EPC contractor for R140m Evander solar PV plant

Gold miner Pan African Resources has entered into an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreement with juwi South Africa to build a 9.975 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant at its Evander Mines. Construction on the R140-million solar PV plant will start in the first quarter of 2021, with first power expected in the third quarter.
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EIUG notes concern about Eskom’s operational, financial performance

The Electricity Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa (EIUG) says it remains concerned about the operational and financial performance of power utility Eskom. This comes as Eskom on Monday reported an interim profit of R83-million, but warned of a full-year loss of R22.1-billion.
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