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Solar body concerned that revised Eskom unbundling plan could stymie crucial grid investment

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has added its voice to those expressing concern about the potential negative consequences arising from the revised unbundling plan for Eskom, which was announced in December. Under the revised structure the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) will remain a subsidiary of Eskom Holdings and will continue to own the transmission assets, while a separate Transmission System Operator (TSO) will be set up outside Eskom to handle system and market operation, but without owning the underlying infrastructure.
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South Africa leads Africa’s renewable energy transition, report shows

South Africa continues to lead Africa’s renewable-energy transition, offering a growing range of investable opportunities in wind, solar, biofuels and green hydrogen, according to the latest Forvis Mazars ‘Powering Africa’s Future Energy’ report. The report highlights that South Africa generated more than 50 TWh from renewable sources in 2024, including hydroelectric at 10.1 TWh, solar at 8 TWh, wind at 9 TWh and other renewables rounding out the remaining 27.1 TWh, positioning the country as the continent’s top producer.
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Eskom’s revised unbundling plan in focus as grid constraint continues to weigh on outlook

Eskom has offered assurances that the power system is more stable and predictable than it has been for the past five years in light of a strong recovery in the energy availability factor, a decline in unplanned breakdowns, more predictable planned maintenance and the return or introduction to service of some 4 400 MW of capacity when compared with the previous year. The improvements, CEO Dan Marokane says, have had positive economic spinoffs in the form of improved investor confidence, and have also contributed to South Africa’s first credit rating upgrade in two decades.
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Egypt signs renewable energy deals worth $1.8bn

Egypt has signed renewable energy deals worth a combined $1.8-billion, state TV reported on Sunday. Among the deals were contracts with Norwegian renewable energy developer Scatec and China’s Sungrow.
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Opinion: The structural flaws contributing to municipal electricity failure

In this article, EE Business Intelligence MD Chris Yelland and consultant Paul Vermeulen argue that mismanagement is not the only reason for the failure of municipal electricity distributors and that larger design flaws should also be taken into account. They also assert that better debt collection alone will not address the crisis and that structural remedies are needed to rebalance risk and cost across the electricity value chain.
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Standard Bank backs BlueCore Gas InfraCo with $285m structured acquisition funding solution

Financial services provider Standard Bank has reported that it has delivered a comprehensive $285-million debt and equity financing solution, which it says will “alter the landscape” of Nigerian energy. The company, in a media release, explains that the recently completed transaction enables BlueCore Gas InfraCo to acquire 100% shareholding in Glover Gas & Power, the owner of Axxela, a player in Nigeria’s natural gas sector.
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Stakeholders invited to comment on Eskom’s ferrochrome NPA application

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) invites members of the public to submit comments on State-owned power utility Eskom’s request for a temporary electricity price relief for negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) with Samancor and Glencore-Merafe for a period of 12 months. Written comments should be submitted via email to EskomNPAApplication@nersa.org.za. The closing date for written comments is January 20.
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South Africa relaxes laws to salvage firms hit by power costs

South Africa eased antitrust rules to allow competitors in industries hit by high power costs to cooperate on negotiating cheaper power supply in a bid to prevent their total collapse, a move that potentially helps the country’s ailing ferrochrome industry. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau changed the scope of an energy users’ block exemption in the Competition Act in regulations published January 5, allowing firms operating in “industries in distress” to jointly negotiate buying energy, share ownership of backup generation capacity and collectively work with suppliers as long as no price-fixing of goods and services takes place.
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Construction activity sees civil contractor sentiment jump to multiyear high

The First National Bank (FNB)/Bureau for Economic Research (BER) Civil Confidence Index rose to 52 in the fourth quarter of last year, up from 43 in the third quarter. This marks the joint best level (along with the third quarter of 2016) in 11 years.
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Nersa extends comment period for electricity trading rules consultation paper to Jan 31

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has announced that the notice and comment period for the consultation paper on electricity trading rules published on November 16, 2025, has been extended to January 31, 2026, following requests for extension received from stakeholders. Interested parties were previously given until January 16 to submit comments.
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