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Tech company commissioned to run upgrades in UAE

Global technology company ABB has installed ABB Ability System 800xA, called the market-leading distributed control system (DCS) automation platform, to upgrade three grinding units at Star Super Cement in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
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Motor efficiency critical for sustainability

In pursuit of global targets to reduce climate change, many countries have enforced the use of various efficiency classes of motors, but Africa, including South Africa, does not have something similar in place. Considering that between 40% and 50% of power consumed on an electricity grid can be attributed to the use of electric motors, manufacturer Zest WEG sales manager for electric motors Francois Labuschagne states that “any improvement in motor efficiency would greatly reduce the total electricity load”.
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Renergen says gas project can catalyse Free State manufacturing revival

Emerging integrated energy producer Renergen is confident that its Virginia gas project, in the Free State, will become a catalyst for “more than just gas” in South Africa, with CEO Stefano Marani expressing optimism about the project’s positive impact on the province as it develops into a manufacturing hub. The aim of the project, which comprises exploration and production rights over 187 000 ha of gasfields, is to produce all of South Africa’s helium requirements and export the balance of production, while also producing the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) that will be locally available for commercial consumption.
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Automation supplier launches MV VSDs

Earlier this month electrification and automation product supplier ElectroMechanica (EM) extended their portfolio with the launch of the high-performance and cost-effective Delta MVF23/MVF20 series medium-voltage variable speed drives (VSDs).
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Company performs complex breakdown repair on rotor

Electro-mechanical services and repairs company Marthinusen & Coutts (M&C) recently performed comprehensive repairs to the rotor of an aging 30 MW generator which had failed during operation at JSE-listed forest group Sappi’s Saiccor pulp mill in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal.
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Local assembly of MACC drives to slash lead times

Drive technology supplier SEW Eurodrive’s expanded local capability out of its new Aeroton facility will include the assembly of SEW M-Series Air Cooled Condenser (MACC) air-cooled condenser drives for delivery at a rate of three units a week
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Drive-based solutions enhance efficiency, safety of machines

Engineering Solutions provider BMG’s Nord predictive maintenance solutions offer fast, efficient and comprehensive evaluation of analogue and digital data, to enhance the operational efficiency and safety of machines.
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Mantashe confirms IRP 2019 review, but offers no timing specifics

Minerals Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe reported on Thursday that the Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 (IRP 2019), which is widely acknowledged to be out of date, would be reviewed. However, he said he could not yet provide a timeframe for the publication of the update or indicate what process would be followed.
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Mahlako Energy invests in Harmony Gold’s Phase 1 solar project

Discretionary managed fund Mahlako Energy Fund has concluded its investment in an industrial independent power generation project for the Harmony Gold Mining-commissioned 30 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) portfolio. This project is among the first projects to be developed following changes to Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act.
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Renewable energy project developers should pay closer attention to stakeholder management, …

Renewable energy project developers need to prioritise stakeholder management to avoid shortcomings later on, says law firm ENSafrica natural resources and environment senior associate Mihlali Sitefane.

She notes that the management of key stakeholders is often not a priority, compared with the urgency and the need to operationalise renewable energy projects – “often [a] short-sighted approach”.

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