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IDC optimistic of industrial investment recovery following fall in disbursements to R15.9bn

South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is optimistic of converting the rise in business confidence that has accompanied the recent easing in loadshedding and visible efforts to address freight logistics bottlenecks into higher levels of investment this year, following a decline in disbursement during its 2024 financial year. The development finance institution disbursed R15.9-billion in the financial year to March 31, 2024, representing an 11% decline when compared with the R17.8-billion disbursed in the previous year.
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SPS commissions R135m solar project at Aqunion abalone farm

Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) has started to test and commission a R135-million solar PV and battery solution project for abalone farmer Aqunion, a subsidiary of the Sea Harvest Group. Construction of the solar system began in November last year.
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Presidency transfers legislation as part of steps to split mineral resources, energy portfolios

President Cyril Ramaphosa has transferred legislation previously administered by the Mineral Resources and Energy Minister to Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa respectively. This follows the announcement earlier this year that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) would be split into the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE).
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A quarter of Redefine’s property portfolio to be powered by renewables by end-2025

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Redefine Property has revealed that its total renewable energy component, which includes wheeling and further expansion of its rooftop solar PV portfolio, is expected to reach 25.14% by the end of next year. Speaking at the Redefine Property capital markets day in Sandton, on August 27, Redefine developments and industrial asset management head Johann Nell provided updates on the company’s progress.
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Sasol Solar Challenge set for September 13 start

Now in its sixteenth year, the Sasol Solar Challenge is set to start on September 13 in Secunda, in Mpumalanga, and wrap up at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on September 20. The biennial race, which will include international teams from universities in Belgium and The Netherlands, for example, is viewed as one of the four major solar car challenges in the world.
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South African private power producers seek fair deal over output curbs

South African private power producers are seeking compensation for revenues lost when adhering to requests from state utility Eskom to limit electricity supply to the national grid, industry executives said. Eskom has submitted a proposal to the country’s energy regulator to introduce a mechanism to compensate independent power producers (IPPs) for lost revenue resulting from curtailment rates of up to 10%.
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Nersa promises ‘utmost transparency’ after confirming receipt of Eskom’s MYPD6 submission

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has confirmed that it received, on August 16, Eskom’s sixth multiyear price determination (MYPD6) revenue application for the 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years. In a statement the regulator said that the application would be processed in line with all required procedures, including an assessment of its regulatory compliance, after which it would be published for stakeholder comment and public consultation.
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Eskom holds back from declaring end to loadshedding pending return of delayed units

Eskom has refrained from officially declaring an end to loadshedding despite having operated for more than 150 days without implementing rotational cuts; a period that coincided with the high-demand winter period. Nevertheless, CEO Dan Marokane expressed optimism that it was in a good position to navigate the high-maintenance summer months loadshedding-free, and that it could be in a position to formally announce an end to loadshedding by the end of March 2025.
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GreenSun launches first of a kind solar energy-as-a-service offering for households

As South Africa’s regulators mull a proposal from Eskom that could see electricity tariffs rise by as much as 40% next year, renewable-energy company GreenSun Renewable Energy has launched an energy-as-a-service offering for residential customers. The company is offering smart solar and battery installation at homes, all for the same cost or lower than current electricity bills, with increased reliability.
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Clause posing threat to municipal electricity revenues may be excluded when ERA enters into force

President Cyril Ramaphosa has left the door open to excluding a section in the Electricity Regulation Amendment (ERA) Act that could negatively affect the revenues municipalities raise from electricity sales when the legislation is officially implemented. Ramaphosa signed the ERA on August 20, with a clause stating that the Act would come into operation “on a date determined by the President”.
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