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Enel connects 147 MW Soetwater Wind Farm to national grid

Renewable energy developer Enel Green Power (EGP) has connected the 147 MW Soetwater Wind Farm, located in a remote part of the Karoo Hoogland local municipality in the Northern Cape, to the national grid as it achieves commercial operation. The plant will be able to generate 585 GWh/y, potentially averting the emission of about 600 000 t/y of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere a year. The wind farm features Vestas V136 4.2 MW wind turbines, the largest on the African continent to date, the company adds.
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With half of SA’s exports at carbon-tariff risk, new report calls for 190 GW renewables push

With almost half of South Africa’s exports at risk as the country’s key trade partners prioritise imports from low-carbon economies, a new report urges South Africa to roll-out at least 190 GW of renewables by 2050 to sustain its economic competitiveness and lay the basis for employment creation. Titled ‘It all Hinges on Renewables’, the report has been published jointly by the National Business Initiative, Business Unity South Africa and the Boston Consulting Group.
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Fossil fuel projects will not secure any part of $8.5bn just transition funding

Climate envoys from those developed countries that have entered into a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with South Africa have confirmed that their governments will not fund fossil-fuel projects, even if such projects form part of the broader investment plan currently being compiled by South Africa. Speaking following the latest round of JETP discussions, UK climate envoy John Murton said the investment plan, or JETP-IP, would be larger than what could feasibly be supported and catalysed using the initial $8.5-billion being offered by France, Germany, the UK, the US, and the European Union (EU) over the coming three to five years. In addition, it could include non-renewables generation technologies.
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Eskom confirms load-shedding stages for the weekend

Load-shedding will continue until Saturday, Eskom confirmed on Thursday, adding that the outlook for the weekend would be communicated over the weekend.  It will be downgraded to Stage 1 on Saturday. 
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Russia’s nuclear giant starts building Egypt’s first reactors

Russia’s State-controlled Rosatom began construction of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant as the North African nation balances its ties with the Kremlin and western allies who have sanctioned Moscow over its war in Ukraine. Work has started on the first of four 1,200-megawatt power units that will be built at El Dabaa, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of Cairo, according to a statement from Rosatom. The company is the world’s biggest supplier of nuclear fuel and reactors, and hasn’t been sanctioned by the US or Europe.
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Cotton On unveils new environment-, staff-friendly head office, distribution centre

Australian fashion retailer the Cotton On Group (COG) has invested R300-million in new custom-built headquarters and a distribution centre in Waterfall City, Midrand, which it officially launched on July 20.

Construction started in January 2021, and since June this year, 2.2-million units of COG’s eight brands have been moved from the group’s former premises in Pomona, Kempton Park, to the new site – more than 100 truckloads of stock.

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Pandemic, war and ‘crazy’ prices menace South African pivot from coal

South Africa, where daily blackouts are a fact of life, knows better than most that it cannot rely on coal power. But just when its plans to shift to renewable energy to help drive Africa’s most industrialised economy were gaining momentum, rising costs linked to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine threaten further delay.
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Ramaphosa reflects on how far transformation has come

Since the launch of government’s Black Industrialists Programme in 2015, coupled with efforts from the Industrial Development Corporation, the National Empowerment Fund and other agencies, more than 900 black industrialists have been supported, to the value of R55-billion. In turn, this has delivered socioeconomic returns valued at R160-billlion to the economy and created more than 50 000 jobs, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced at the Black Industrialists and Exporters conference, held in Sandton, on July 20.
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Eskom faces growing financial strain, S&P Global says

South African power utility Eskom faces increased financial pressure from lower than anticipated tariffs, rising diesel costs and the impact of labour disruptions, all which could lead to the need to raise more capital, rating agency S&P Global said. Intermittent power cuts have been blamed for hindering growth in Africa’s most advanced economy.
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Power Sector carbon emissions to dip as renewables outpace coal

A surge in renewable power coupled with a slowdown in China will see carbon emissions from electricity production ease from the record level last year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Emissions from power generation are set to decline about 0.3% this year, down from a forecast in January that emissions would remain flat, the IEA said in its Electricity Market Report. That pace will need to increase more quickly to get the world on a trajectory that will avoid the worst consequences of climate change.
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