Eskom group executive for strategy and sustainability Nontokoza Hadebe says the decision to establish a ‘GreenCo’ renewables business as a standalone subsidiary separated from Eskom Generation is to help facilitate partnerships, as well as to potentially tap the growing market appetite for green electricity. Speaking at Resources for Africa’s Coal & Energy Transition Day, Hadebe reiterated the State-owned utility’s aspiration to build 20 GW of renewable energy by 2035, 5 GW of which would arise from just energy transition-linked “repowering” initiatives at existing coal power station sites that are scheduled for decommissioning by 2030.
The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), which is an agency of the intergovernmental Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, has published the third edition of its “NEA Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Dashboard”. This shows that there has been notable progress in the development and deployment of SMRs around the world. “The overarching developments reflected in the “NEA SMR Dashboard” are clear: the strategic drivers for SMR deployment – rising electricity demand, including from data centres and expanding digital services, energy security imperatives and the national goals set by many countries to reduce carbon emissions – are intensifying,” reported NEA director-general William D Magwood IV. “SMRs are now a core part of the energy strategies in an increasing number of countries in all parts of the world.”
Six solar PV projects, with a combined capacity of 1 290 MW, have been named as preferred bidders following the seventh bid window (BW7) of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). All the projects are located in the Free State province and achieved competitive bid prices of between R499.99/MWh and R514.06/MWh.
Acknowledging the protest action in Tembisa on July 21, in relation to the introduction of a fixed electricity tariff charge for the 2025/26 financial year, Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has resolved to suspend the implementation of the fixed electricity tariff charge of R126, including value-added tax (VAT), with immediate effect across the municipality. He says this decision is subject to urgent endorsement by the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipal council and will facilitate further structured public consultations.
South African home appliance manufacturer Defy will invest an additional R500-million in its local operations over the next five years, CEO Mustafa Soylu said on July 22. Speaking at an event at the company’s Midrand showroom that marked Defy’s 120-year anniversary, he said Defy had already invested more than R2.6-billion in its operations in the country over the past 15 years.
Licensed electricity trader Discovery Green has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement with Southern Sun, under which more than 90% of the hospitality group’s consumption across seven flagship sites will be met from wheeled renewable energy. Southern Sun’s Arabella Hotel, Golf and Spa, Drakensberg Sun, Garden Court Morningside, Southern Sun Katherine Street, Southern Sun Sandton, Champagne Sports Resort, and Sabi River Sun Resort will be supplied from Discovery Green’s renewable portfolio, including Phase 2 of Red Rocket’s Overberg Wind Farm, which is currently under construction.
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has extended the deadline for nominations for members of its newly established Section 5 advisory forum, as approved in accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act.
The advisory forum members will provide inputs to Nersa on various matters related to the creation of a competitive electricity market.
Independent power producer (IPP) and licensed trader Envusa Energy reports that its 520 MW Koruson 2 project cluster is nearing commercial operation – a milestone that Envusa says will position it to support large Southern African companies striving for carbon neutrality, including those in hard-to-abate sectors. The 50/50 JV between EDF Renewables and Anglo American is building a 240 MW solar PV facility and two 140 MW wind projects in the Eastern and Northern Cape provinces.
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George has approved the publication of the draft ‘National Greenhouse Gas Carbon Budget and Mitigation Plan Regulations’ for public comment. The regulations, alongside the accompanying declaration of the list of greenhouse gases and activities and associated technical guidelines, will be published in early August.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered an optimistic assessment of the economic reforms being undertaken in South Africa’s electricity and freight logistics sectors, amid growing concern about the pace of progress with regard to opening the country’s railways and ports to competition and signs of potential stalling in the electricity sector. In his weekly letter, Ramaphosa highlighted the release of the latest progress report on Operation Vulindlela, the scope of which was recently widened by the Government of National Unity to include municipal recovery, digital services and spatial equality components.
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