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Manufacturing tipping point could be pushed back by innovation and tech – De Ruyter

Addressing the Manufacturing Circle annual general meeting (AGM) on September 22, Eskom CEO and former Manufacturing Circle former chairperson Andre de Ruyter said that investing in research, embracing innovation and technology and lowering manufacturing costs are equally critical in boosting manufacturing competitiveness, as is a collaborative approach.

The manufacturing sector has reached a “tipping point”, he said, adding that eliminating growth and investment barriers, while boosting the demand for local goods are just some of the measures required to place it on the path of success.

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Ten lessons to guide South Africa’s ‘just transition’ from coal to renewables

A new study, which outlines global best practices for just-transition journeys, includes ten lessons for South Africa to consider as the country prepares to navigate what it hopes will be a just transition, over the coming decades, from an electricity sector based on coal to one based increasingly on renewable energy. Published on September 23 by the RES4Africa Foundation, the study has been written in collaboration with South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and ERM.
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Russian and African organisations sign nuclear energy agreement

Russia’s State-owned nuclear energy group Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (Afcone) this week. The MoU, signed simultaneously in Pretoria and Moscow, provides for cooperation between the two organisations in the peace uses of nuclear energy. The MoU establishes the basis for Rosatom and Afcone to cooperate in assisting African countries in implementing nuclear energy projects. It also covers the diversification of African states’ energy sources (including the use of renewable energy) and increasing their energy security. 
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Nersa says Eskom must be buyer of IPP power arising from new determination

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) says that Eskom should remain the buyer of the electricity produced by independent power producers (IPPs) and procured by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in line with a new Section 34 Ministerial determination for 11 813 MW of new generation capacity. The regulator recently concurred with the determination and on September 22 published its reasons for that decision.
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CCBSA continues to ramp up solar power generation capacity

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has ramped up its solar power generation capacity, with seven of its 13 manufacturing facilities now using solar power. CCBSA is plans to install solar power capacity at a further five of its plants by the end of this year.
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IRP’s wind component could trigger yearly investments of R40bn, create 144 000 jobs by 2030

The 14.4 GW of new wind included in South Africa’s electricity plan positions the country as a “top ten” wind-energy market for the coming decade, while building capacity at the yearly tempo of 1 600 MW envisaged in the plan could attract R40-billion a year in new investment and create 144 000 fulltime jobs by 2030. Speaking during a Team Europe Climate Diplomacy webinar on Tuesday, Vestas sales director Malte Mayer said that the wind allocation in South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 (IRP 2019) had placed South Africa “on the wind industry’s map again”.
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Mantashe confirms consultations with nuclear power vendors and replacement of SAFARI

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has informed the 64th session of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), via a video recording, that South Africa had started consultations with nuclear power reactor vendors, to obtain information about costs, schedules and possible ownership models. This was in line with the country’s Integrated Resource Plan 2019-2030 and the result of a Request for Information (RfI) issued in June. This RfI was based on an assumption of programme for 2 500 MW of nuclear power. He reaffirmed that nuclear would retain a “vital role” in the country’s energy mix. He pointed out that there was a “bigger role” for nuclear in transitioning South Africa from high carbon-emission energy sources to low carbon-emission ones, while simultaneously expanding the country’s energy supply. “We need to contest the space in the energy debate, for nuclear as a clean energy technology,” he said. “Scientific evidence is available to support our position.”
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Kangnas wind farm’s main transformer energised

The main transformer of the 140 MW Kangnas wind farm, on the outskirts of Springbok, in the Northern Cape, was energised on September 21.

The 250 MVA transformer was locally manufactured and was transported to site from Gauteng by road.

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SAPVIA, SAWEA partner to assist local renewables project developers

Renewable energy lobby organisations the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) and the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) have joined forces with the Independent Power Producer Office, REEFSA and the Black Energy Professionals Association to launch of the Developing Developers Programme.

The programme, which consists of a seven-part series of workshops, aims to drive change, enhance the local skills base and ensure South Africa reaps the full benefits of a decarbonised economy.

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Nuclear organisations stage public demonstration

Six organisations representing professionals in the country’s nuclear sector jointly staged a public demonstration in Pretoria on Saturday in support of nuclear technology and the expansion of the South African nuclear sector. The demonstration was carried out in full compliance with anti-Covid-19 safety protocols, including physical distancing, frequent use of sanitiser and the wearing of masks. The organisations concerned were Nehawu Nuclear Energy Workers (Nnewo), the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa, the South African Vest Group, the South African Young Nuclear Professionals Society, the Southern African Radiation Protection Association, and Women in Nuclear of South Africa. The slogan for the demonstration was “Stand up for nuclear!”
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