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EY unpacks value of smart meter management, digital integration as power system decentralises

As the South African energy sector undergoes a profound shift from traditional, centralised power generation to a more decentralised but interconnected one, digitally integrated systems can optimise production, strengthen grid management, improve efficiency and enable real-time decision-making, consultancy EY said this week.

EY senior specialist consultant Rashid Khan unpacked the value that digital technologies can bring to electricity systems that are more demanding on the grid and require smart balancing for stability.

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SAPVIA welcomes solar overtaking coal as world’s main energy source

Industry organisation the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) welcomes the findings of global energy think tank Ember, which has reported that renewable energy sources surpassed coal to become the world’s largest source of electricity generation in the first half of this year. This finding underscores the momentum of the solar-led energy transition and SAPVIA views this global turning point that was driven primarily by record growth in solar power as a validation of its vision for a sustainable and secure energy future for South Africa.
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Malmesbury solar plant to be doubled to 10 MW as companies sign up for green electricity

The 5.6 MW first phase of the SlimSun Too Solar development, located in Malmesbury in the Western Cape, is in its final commissioning stage and will soon begin supplying wheeled renewable electricity to businesses that have contracted with licensed trader Energy Exchange of Southern Africa (EXSA). The R87-million project has been developed in partnership with independent power producer Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), which has also acted as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor.
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Industrial pushing solar energy in South Africa

Industry was the biggest driver of solar energy adoption in South Africa. This was highlighted by Stellenbosch University Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies Senior Researcher Dr François Rozon, at the Solar & Storage Live Cape Town 2025 conference, on Thursday. Industry, he reported, had installed 4 GW of solar generating capacity, so far. This private generation capacity was double the amount installed by the country’s independent power producers, for public consumption.
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How Southern Africa could unlock funding for critical minerals investment

As the world transitions to cleaner energy, Southern Africa’s abundant critical mineral resources, which could be key ingredients for many low-carbon technologies, have come into sharper focus. According to the ‘Financing Southern Africa’s Clean Power and Critical Minerals’ report – released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), with McKinsey & Company as knowledge partner, and under the WEF’s Securing Minerals for the Energy Transition (SMET) initiative – Southern Africa holds about 30% of the world’s critical-mineral reserves.
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Fuel transition to evolve Johannesburg’s energy landscape

Natural gas reticulation company Egoli Gas has been working closely with chemicals and energy company Sasol to ensure that its transition to methane-rich gas (MRG) in 2028 is seamless, with the move marking an important milestone in the evolution of Johannesburg’s energy landscape. “For Egoli Gas and our customers, it means continuity and reliability of supply. No disruption to supply is expected and only minimal technical adjustments will be required for end-users where applicable,” says Egoli Gas GM Erika Da Cruz.
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Bank champions balanced energy future for Africa

As Africa grapples with deep-rooted energy poverty and mounting climate pressures, financial services provider Standard Bank is positioning itself as a key enabler of a pragmatic just energy transition. For Africa’s largest lender, this does not mean choosing between renewables and fossil fuels, but rather ensuring that both are harnessed responsibly to fuel inclusive growth. Standard Bank views upstream oil and gas not as a legacy burden, but as a growth lever for emerging African economies. It cites countries, such as Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria and Ghana, which continue to rely on fossil fuel exports to fund national budgets, build infrastructure and stimulate job creation.
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Policy integral to shaping oil and gas outlook – law firm

Although significant oil and gas discoveries across Southern Africa have sharpened investor focus, unlocking that potential is not only geological; it also requires an astute understanding of the legal, fiscal, administrative and commercial requirements thereof, highlights law firm Webber Wentzel corporate practice partner and mining sector head Jonathan Veeran. As capital becomes increasingly mobile and investors weigh frontier markets against proven jurisdictions, South Africa must reckon with specific interlinked challenges that could define its upstream future.
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New Cabinet-approved Eskom board will still be chaired by Mteto Nyati

Cabinet has approved a new Eskom Holdings board, which will continue to be chaired by Mteto Nyati, whose term has not expired because his appointment was made a year after the September 2022 appointment of the rest of the previous board members. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the names of the new board members on October 16, while indicating that all appointments remained subject to the verification of qualifications and relevant security clearances.
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Necsa reports R125m profit as Cabinet names new board after governance tussles

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has reported a net profit after tax of R125.2-million for the financial year to March 31, 2025, while Cabinet has appointed a new board following a recent spate of resignations that left the board inquorate. Addressing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on October 15, CEO Loyiso Tyabashe reported that the Necsa Group had also achieved an unqualified audit opinion having failed to do so since 2020/21.
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