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Eskom suspends Koeberg GM while delayed unit investigation ensues

State-owned power utility Eskom has confirmed that the GM of its Koeberg nuclear power station has been suspended while investigations are ongoing into the performance of the power station.

In the meantime, Eskom’s chief nuclear officer Riedewaan Bakardien will oversee the operations of the power station.

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eSwatini highlights considerable strides in renewable energy development

eSwatini has added two more solar photovoltaic (PV) plants to its sustainable energy portfolio, as another of its projects – the Lavumisa 10 MW solar PV plant – nears completion. In a statement, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy acclaimed that eSwatini has made considerable strides in establishing itself as a leader in the rollout of sustainable energy projects while becoming less dependent on neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa for electricity.
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Johannesburg seeks R3.8bn for solar, gas and batteries

South Africa’s biggest city plans to seek at least R3.8-billion in investment in solar and gas-fired power as well as battery storage to improve electricity supply. The City of Johannesburg will issue a request for information for the construction of a 150-megawatt solar plant, 50 megawatts of rooftop solar panels and the refurbishment of an idle gas-fired plant that could generate 20 megawatts in September, the municipality said in a presentation on Thursday. It will also seek information for the installation of 100 megawatts of battery storage.
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Load-shedding suspended for Friday afternoon, but to continue until Sunday

State-owned power utility Eskom has announced that load-shedding will be suspended from 12:00 to 17:00 on June 4, to allow Parliament to pass a series of Appropriation Bills.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament requested that the utility suspend power cuts during this timeframe, as passing these Bills are essential to keeping government operating.

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Mantashe denies corruption in electricity feud

South African Mineral and Energy Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and the two most senior officials in his department denied corruption in court papers responding to allegations by a losing bidder in a power tender. Director-General Thabo Mokoena confirmed that he and his deputy met Aldworth Mbalati, executive director of DNG Energy, at Kream Restaurant in Pretoria in November, but denied they tried to secure a bribe. Mantashe denied allegations by Mbalati that a business associate and a relative of the minister tried to interfere in the process of awarding contracts.
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Industry insight opportunity for students

Owing to the fast-paced changes in the boilers and burners sector, technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges have initiated an Occupational Qualification Dual System programme that entails sending students into the industry to ensure that they are prepared when they obtain an artisan qualification.
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Steam generator reduces heat loss by 20%

Steam boiler supplier Steam Generation Africa, exclusive distributor of the CERTUSS steam generators, is testing the generators at a brewery in Ghana.
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Institute working to host international event locally

The South African Institute of Tribology (SAIT) is collaborating with industry bodies and relevant government departments to host the International Tribology Council’s (ITC’s) eighth International World Tribology Congress in South Africa in 2025 or 2026, says SAIT president Patrick Swan.  “We are working hard to get interested parties involved. the Department of Science and Innovation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and other companies are supporting us.”
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Water, offtake markets core focus areas for green hydrogen project developers in South Africa

While renewable energy prices are tracking lower and electrolyser technology is evolving, the availability of water as an input for the production of green hydrogen, sustainably generated from renewable power sources, and the specific markets for green hydrogen products are important focus areas for project developers, a panel of industry experts said on June 3. Industrial technology multinational Siemens Energy Southern and Eastern Africa sales and generation VP Mark van Antwerp, law firm Webber Wentzel partner Gillian Niven and environmental consultancy SLR Africa power sector lead Stuart Heather Clark spoke during a briefing on the global, technological and local regulatory framework, obstacles and opportunities for the production of green hydrogen in South Africa.
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South Africa’s just transition must accommodate myriad of considerations

As South Africa seeks to scale up the move away from being reliant on coal-fired energy towards cleaner energy forms, the resultant just transition process to enable this must be cognisant of a number of different stakeholders. This was indicated during a ‘Key priorities and challenges for a Just Transition in Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete’ webinar held on June 3.
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