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Eskom to implement rolling power cuts as generation units break down

South African utility Eskom said on Tuesday it would implement rolling blackouts from 4pm until 10pm, and again the following day, after breakdowns in some generation units left the electricity system severely constrained. In a statement, Eskom said six generators had been returned to service at its Medupi, Tutuka, Kendal, Majuba and Grootvlei power stations the previous day, but the breakdown of four units overnight and on Tuesday morning, as well as a delay in the expected return to service of one, had left the grid under pressure.
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Govt extends date for comment on Renewable Energy Development Zones

An extension has been granted to September 4 for public comment on the geographical areas identified as Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZ) for wind and solar, as well as for the related environmental authorisation processes. In a series of government notices published in July, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy had called for public input as part of the public consultation process on the amendment of procedures to be followed in applying for, or deciding on, environmental authorisation applications for large-scale wind and solar photovoltaic activities.
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Cronimet Mining Power Solutions merges with Namibia’s Ohlthaver group

German renewable energy project development company Cronimet Mining Power Solutions has merged with Namibia’s largest privately held group of companies Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L).

O&L acquired a majority stake in Cronimet from exiting major shareholder Cronimet Mining Energy, which is based in Switzerland.

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Madagascar solar roll-out to address access issues, reduce fossil fuel dependency

Renewable energy, real estate and free zone project developer Groupe Filatex is rolling out a series of renewable energy power projects in Madagascar in partnership with Canada-based energy development company Dera Energy as part of its efforts to address a dire electricity deficit, increase access to electricity by the country’s majority rural population and reduce the country’s historic reliance of carbon-intensive fossil fuels. The company is also developing 66 MW worth of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Côte d’Ivoire at a cost of €80-million; 10 MW of solar PV and 33 MW worth of hydropower in Guinea, at a cost of €8.5-million and €105-million, respectively; 20 MW worth of solar PV in Ghana at a cost of €17-million; and in advance negotiations to acquire a 8 MW hydropower plant in the Balkans with an expansion to reach 14 MW at a cost of €35-million.
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Sasol’s new-look strategy will seek to ‘reset’ group for low-carbon world

Embattled chemicals and energy group Sasol aims to officially unveil its new-look strategy, dubbed Future Sasol, later this year. It has already indicated, however, that the plan will seek to reposition the 70-year-old company, built around a highly carbon-intensive technology that converts coal to fuels and chemicals, for a far more carbon-constrained world. CEO Fleetwood Grobler tells Engineering News that the strategy will be officially released in November.
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Power system severely constrained for this week ahead as return of generation units delayed, …

Embattled State-owned power utility Eskom has warned that the power system will be severely constrained for the week ahead as the return to service of generation units has been delayed. “Eskom wishes to inform the public that the power system will be severely constrained this coming week due to the unavailability of eight generation units due to breakdowns or delays in the maintenance programme,” Eskom said in a statement late on Sunday afternoon.
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