Posts

Opinion: Urgent reforms needed to fix South Africa’s renewables procurement

In this opinion article, Dr Wikus Kruger outlines the key reforms needed to address the current problems with South Africa’s once highly-respected programme for the public procurement of renewable-energy capacity from independent power producers.
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Ivanplats signs ten-year green-electricity deal with Enpower for Platreef

Registered energy trader Enpower Trading has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with platinum mine developer Ivanplats for the yearly delivery of 48.30 GWh of renewable electricity to the Platreef mine, which is under construction on the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex in Limpopo. The wheeled electricity will be sourced from SolarAfrica Energy’s 342 MW SunCentral PV plant in De Aar, located in South Africa’s Northern Cape province.
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African exporters to face market challenges as EU expands Carbon Border Tax

Recent amendments to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulatory framework, introduced on February 26, are expected to have significant implications for African exporters. The impact of these amendments was discussed during a webinar on March 26, hosted by the Pan-African policy support organisation African Future Policies Hub.
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Decision on Eskom’s application for more air pollution exemptions to be announced on March 31

Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George will on March 31 announce a decision regarding Eskom’s application for additional minimum emission standards (MES) exemptions for some of its coal-fired power stations. In May last year, then Minister Barbara Creecy granted Eskom permission to continue to operate Hendrina, Grootvlei, Arnot, Camden and Kriel at existing MES plant limits until March 31, 2030, after which the stations would be decommissioned.
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Necsa lauds successes of SAFARI-1, prepares for new multipurpose research reactor

As State-owned South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) marks the sixtieth anniversary of its SAFARI-1 research reactor, the entity is looking to build on the success of the reactor, with the setting up of a multipurpose research (MPR) reactor that is expected to bolster research, skills development and collaboration endeavours. Located on the Necsa site, in Pelindaba, in the North West, the SAFARI-1 reactor is a 20 MW (thermal) multi-purpose tank-in-pool reactor that started operating on March 18, 1965.
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Necsa celebrates 60 years of SAFARI-1 reactor

As State-owned South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) marks the sixtieth anniversary of its SAFARI-1 research reactor, the entity is looking to build on the success of the reactor, with the setting up of a multipurpose research reactor (MPR) that is expected to bolster research, skills development and collaboration endeavours. Located on the Necsa site, in Pelindaba, in the North West, the SAFARI-1 reactor is a 20 MW (thermal) multi-purpose tank-in-pool reactor that started operating on March 18, 1965.
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BYD Energy Storage introduces upgraded Battery-Box model

Integrated renewable energy solutions company BYD Energy Storage introduced a new BYD Battery-Box LV5.0+ at booth B214 at Solar and Storage Live Africa, in Johannesburg, on March 25. This new residential energy storage system is the latest addition to the company’s Battery-Box range.
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Scatec signs 25-year PPA for additional 120 MW solar in Tunisia

Renewable energy solutions company Scatec has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tunisian State utility Société Tunisienne de l’Electricité et du Gaz for an additional 120 MW solar power plant, Sidi Bouzid II. The PPA was awarded in December last year through a government tender to support Tunisia’s renewable-energy targets and to enhance the country’s energy security. 
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PPC concludes long-term contract for supply of wheeled solar electricity to four plants

JSE-listed cement producer PPC has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Yellow Door Energy (YDE) for the supply of renewable electricity, wheeled through the Eskom grid, to four of its South African operations. The electricity will be produced by a 24.5 MWp solar PV facility known as the Naledi Ya YDE Solar Park, which will comprise 20 000 PV panels and be constructed in Leeudoringstad, in the North West province.
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Botswana considering new 615 MW coal-fired power plant

Botswana is contemplating building a new 615 MW coal-fired power station near its main generation plant to mitigate generation challenges at the facility. The 600 MW, coal-fired Morupule B power station has never operated at full capacity since construction in 2012 due to frequent breakdowns and is currently undergoing maintenance.
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