South Africa’s Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office has indicated that the procurement documentation for both the next public renewables round and a gas-to-power programme are at an advanced stage but the timing of their release to the market is dependent on the conclusion of “various grid optimisation initiatives”, including an updated curtailment framework. Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa revealed recently that Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the renewables programme had been postponed until December and attributed the rescheduling from an already revised released date of September to delays in finalising an update to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
ACTOM Energy Namibia (AEN) has been awarded a R100-million contract by Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) to design, manufacture, supply, install and commission specialised switchgear and substation protection and automation systems for a new indoor 132/66/33 kV substation the utility is planning to establish in Swakopmund, Namibia. The new Sekelduin substation, due to be completed in early-2025, is being built to meet increased demand for power resulting from rapid growth of the coastal city and surrounding areas and to cater for future expansion in the region.
The Energy Regulator has approved six-year negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) for ferrochrome smelters operated in South Africa by both Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture and Samancor Chrome. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) issued a statement on November 6 confirming NPAs had been approved for four of Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture’s ferrochrome operations in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West, as well as for six of Samancor Chrome’s smelter operations in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West.
Former Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool has been appointed the new chairperson of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). His appointment was announced during a post-Cabinet briefing held by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Monday.
Automotive manufacturer BMW South Africa has unveiled a successful solar and battery energy storage pilot project at the Ntshe-Peu Primary School, in Shoshanguve, which incorporates batteries from the automakers X3 plug-in hybrid model vehicles.
The PowerUp pilot project was initiated to use the automotive batteries to provide renewable and high-quality second-life energy storage solutions for schools, as educational activities are often disrupted by loadshedding.
Generators are everywhere in Lagos, used by almost everyone in the Nigerian megacity to counteract crippling power outages. Those living in upscale gated communities or working at big companies turn to massive, soundproof diesel generators when the electricity grid inevitably fails. There are the smaller, noisier petrol versions for those who can’t afford to maintain a diesel rig. And at the bottom of the generator hierarchy, found in countless shops and homes, are legions of less capable machines known in Nigerian Pidgin as “I-pass-my-neighbor generators.” The derisive name mocks those who can’t afford even a generator that puts out just enough juice to run fans, turn on lights and charge phones.
Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that the next public procurement round for renewable energy, known as Bid Window Seven (BW7), has been delayed until December. Delivering a briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan amid a resumption of loadshedding, Ramokgopa attributed the postponement directly to the delay in updating the draft Integrated Resource Plan, which he said was now at an “advanced stage” and should be published before the end of November.
Energy and chemicals company Sasol has taken exception to nonprofit organisation Just Share accusing it of shirking its responsibility to meet its previously stated goal of reducing its greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2030, claiming that the disclosure of risks is simply part of being a responsible corporate citizen. “It is misdirected to view disclosure of these risk factors as Sasol conceding to not meeting targets. It is consequently also misleading to report it as such. We remain committed to our reduction targets and are progressing all reasonable available avenues to unlock related barriers in this regard,” Sasol said in a statement on November 3.
As the unbundling of State-owned utility Eskom gains momentum, both internally and through legislative processes, the unbundling of tariffs is equally important, and there are number of considerations for this, speakers averred during the South African Independent Power Producers Association’s ‘Tariff and Wheeling’ webinar on November 2. Independent energy consultant and former Eskom pricing manager Hendrik Barnard emphasised that unbundled and transparent tariffs would be a cornerstone for the future market and that it was crucial for independent power producers (IPPs) to be able to understand how and where to play in the market.
Following three successful exhibitions in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, energy storage battery products producer Hinen has introduced its products to the African continent in 2023. The Hinen Company was afforded the opportunity to raise brand awareness and generate interest among consumers, small businesses and other industry players. It showcased its latest products, including a backup power solution tailored for the African market, at the aforementioned exhibitions, earlier this year.
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