Global mining consultancy SRK Consulting lauds the significant efforts aimed at reducing the environmental hurdles for lower sensitivity renewable-energy projects. In a significant move to support the development of renewable energy, South Africa last month adopted new norms to simplify and speed up the authorisation process for solar PV facilities and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
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The electricity minus carbon dioxide, or e-co2 (pronounced eco-two), green energy benefit scheme, introduced by real estate investment trust Growthpoint Properties, is driving a shift towards renewable energy and improved energy efficiency in South Africa’s real estate sector, says Growthpoint corporate advisory head Werner van Antwerpen. The eco-two initiative provides tenants with direct access to green energy, helping them achieve sustainability goals while enjoying cost savings.
Independent power producer Pele Green Energy (PGE) has reached financial close of the 100 MW Sonvanger solar PV power plant that will provide clean, reliable and sustainable for the Glencore Merafe Venture’s ferrochrome smelters in the Free State province. PGE is the lead sponsor of the Sonvanger plant, which is is located 4 km southwest of Theunissen in the Masilonyana local municipality.
National industry support programme The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) emphasises that more concerted efforts must be taken to help industries become more resource-efficient, environmentally responsible and competitive in the global market. It stresses the importance of promoting resource efficiency and cleaner production practices that minimise resource use, reduce waste and lower emissions in industrial processes.
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa is confident that regulations permitting private sector players to participate in the electricity transmission space will be finalised by the first quarter of next year. Speaking at the Matla-Urja Energy Conference, in Johannesburg, on November 28, he said these electricity reforms were important to redefine the future energy landscape in the country.
Oil and gas company Shell South Africa’s Alberton depot is pursuing sustainability through two projects, mainly, solar and battery power, and capacitation for biofuels, the company outlined during a media tour of the facility this week. The Alberton depot is a storage and handling terminal for petrol, diesel, and some additives. Employees range between 60 and 100, depending on any project work that is on site, Shell Alberton terminal manager Fikile Nxumalo told Engineering News.
South African National Energy Development Institute CEO Dr Titus Mathe has confirmed that a report containing a remodelled Integrated Resource Plan for 2024 (IRP2024) and incorporating stakeholder comments will be released into the public domain before it is sent to Cabinet for its approval by end-March. Mathe is chairing a committee set up to oversee a review of the much-criticised draft IRP2023.
Indian power generation company NTPC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South African State-owned utility Eskom to exchange knowledge and collaborate on research and development (R&D), among other things. The signing of the MoU took place at the Matla-Urja Energy Conference, in Johannesburg, on November 28.
Power utility Eskom has published a notice of the possible disconnection of bulk electricity supply to Tokologo local municipality, in the Free State, which will result in bulk electricity supply to Boshof, Seretse, Dealesville and Hertzogville being interrupted for a set number of hours each day from January 31. The utility says the municipality currently owes it R328.7-million, excluding the current account of a further R3.68-million that became due and payable on November 20, and that the last payment it received from the municipality was R150 000 in October 2021.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has again urged South Africa to implement its economic reforms “ambitiously”, while arguing for priority to be given to reforms in the electricity and logistics sectors that pose binding constraints to higher growth. An IMF staff mission visited South Africa from November 11 to 25 for the 2024 Article IV annual consultation, and a report was published on November 26 that included an IMF growth forecast of 1.1% for this year and 1.5% for 2025.
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