South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) energy secretariat head Professor Sampson Mamphweli says the government intends to leverage the Expropriation Act to acquire land for servitudes as part of its transmission network expansion programme. “It is known that much of the land under negotiation is underproductive and some farmers are no longer using it. However, in some cases, the government is pressured during negotiations and ends up paying significantly more for the servitude than the land is actually worth,” he noted at the inaugural Energy Indaba, hosted by the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) College of Human Sciences (CHS), in Pretoria, on September 22.
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Two well-established South African renewables companies – African Clean Energy Developments and EIMS Africa – have officially combined to form a new large-scale independent power producer (IPP) known as Anthem. The consolidation also coincides with the introduction of new shareholders into the entity, which has historical ties to the Old Mutual-linked African Infrastructure Investment Managers’ (AIIM’s) IDEAS Fund, which remains the majority shareholder in Anthem.
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) is accelerating action against its worst defaulters, which may see electricity meters being removed as part of the city’s aggressive credit control initiative under the Project Lokisa banner.
The CoJ has identified more than 1 300 residential customers with a combined municipal debt of R987-million, who have failed to pay their municipal accounts for more than a year.
Industry organisation the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) says Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will open the Windaba 2025 conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with a keynote address on October 22. “The Minister’s participation presents a significant opportunity to align government’s policy direction with the wind and renewable-energy industry’s capabilities, galvanising collective action toward South Africa’s energy security and broader economic development goals,” says SAWEA CEO Niveshen Govender.
Engineering News editor Terence Creamer talks about what led to the recent resignation of five members of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) board; Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s continued confidence in the Necsa executive team; and the Minister’s plans for the Necsa board.
Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says a new board will be appointed at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) before the middle of October, replacing the current board which has been inquorate for weeks following a slew of resignations. Speaking during a meeting convened by the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy specifically to discuss the governance crisis at Necsa, the Minister said the resignations had coincided with preparations for the appointment of a new board in January, but that the process would now be accelerated.
The installation of a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system has begun at the Bedford Centre shopping mall, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, to meet the operational needs of a new tenant, consumer goods manufacturer Tiger Brands. The existing HVAC system had already been decommissioned, which simplified the decision to install a system that would be better suited to the needs of Tiger Brands, says SSD Management Services director Rod van der Westhuizen.
Fraud linked to Eskom’s Online Vending System (OVS) has been reduced to “very low levels of activity”, the power utility says. “Earlier this year, Eskom strengthened the protection of its systems against potential threats. All enhancements are managed through a robust change management process across all divisions, ensuring consistent oversight and control. These measures are part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding operations,” comments Eskom chief technology and information officer Len de Villiers.
Power utility Eskom has, through the signing of a memorandum of collaboration (MoC), signalled its intent to collaborate with automotive company BYD Auto South Africa in future and to support the launch of the BYD Dolphin Surf electric vehicle (EV) in South Africa. Under the terms of the MoC, Eskom and BYD will explore ways to support South Africa’s drive to decarbonise transport and position the country as a hub for EV adoption; the potential expansion of public charging infrastructure in key locations across the country; and opportunities for local skills development, participation by small, medium-sized and microenterprises and job creation in the EV ecosystem.
One of South Africa’s top courts on Wednesday annulled a government permit allowing state utility Eskom to build a large power plant burning natural gas, saying there had not been proper public consultation. The 3 000 MW plant in the east coast port city of Richards Bay is part of government plans to bolster the country’s generation capacity after years of electricity blackouts and pivot away from coal.
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