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Gas-powered electricity generation not South Africa’s best bet for the long term –WWF

The attractiveness of renewable energy, even in the face of using gas as a bridging fuel to take off from where coal is being disused, is continuing to increase, the World Wide Fund for Nature senior climate specialist James Reeler has said.

During a webinar titled ‘Fossil gas: decarbonisation solution, detour or dead end?’, on December 2, he said Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme had shown that the price of renewables was lower than what was previously forecast to occur only in 2050.

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Garob Wind Farm successfully commissioned

The Garob Wind Farm, in the Siyathemba municipality of the Northern Cape, has successfully started commercial operations. The 145 MW facility was awarded to Enel Green Power South Africa in April 2015 as part of Bid Window 4 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
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The world’s first autonomous, emission-free container ship starts operations

The world’s first electric and self-propelled container ship – Yara Birkeland – has completed its maiden voyage in the Oslo fjord, Norway. “We are proud to be able to showcase the world’s first fully electric and self-propelled container ship,” says Yara CEO Svein Tore Holsether.
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Energy Regulator approves five LNG storage licences for DNG Energy

The Energy Regulator has approved five site licences for the importation and storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by black-owned energy company DNG Energy. The Energy Regulator approved the site licences, along with the licence conditions and reasons for decision, at its meeting on December 6, following a recommendation by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) Petroleum Pipelines Subcommittee.
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National Treasury aware of Eskom’s PFMA concerns but denies long delays in responding

The National Treasury says it is aware of Eskom’s concerns regarding the application of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) at the power utility and reports that there are ongoing engagements in an effort to address these concerns. The matter, it adds, is still being deliberated on and some of the concerns will be addressed through a legislative review, which is currently under way.
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South Africa’s environment department rejects floating gas plant

South Africa’s Environment Department has turned down an application to moor a floating, gas-fired power plant in the eastern port of Richards Bay. Anchor Energy LNG’s Nseleni power plant would have had the capability to produce 6 500 MW of electricity, according to Groundwork, an environmental activist organisation.
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Opinion: How can we ensure that Africa’s energy transition aligns with its development ambitions?

In this opinion article, SPEAR Capital partner Martin Soderberg writes about how African can achieve a just energy transition.
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Bedfordview power restored ahead of schedule

Power utility Eskom has restored supply to the Bedfordview substation, two days ahead of schedule. Supply was restored to the substation and affected customers at about 22:00 on December 2.
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Emalahleni owes Eskom over R5 billion, urges its customers to pay or face darkness

The Emalahleni local municipality in Mpumalanga has revealed that it owes Eskom over R5-billion for unpaid electricity. It has, therefore, handed over to its lawyers the accounts of some 30 defaulting customers, in a quest to collect the revenue and pay the debt.
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Genset failure can be dangerous

Generator set (genset) failure owing to a lack of proper maintenance poses a significant business risk, says fire safety company ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk. Backup power supply systems such as gensets are critical to reduce overall electricity demand during load-shedding. However, it is vital that such important equipment is maintained properly and serviced regularly to be able to cope with such outages, Van Niekerk says.
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