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EIB reviews financing for $760m hydro project over DRC war

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is holding off on decisions to finance the $760-million Ruzizi III hydropower plant in Central Africa, due to fighting between Rwandan-backed rebels and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a spokesperson said. Europe is ramping up pressure on the adversaries following January’s blitzkrieg by Congolese rebels that saw them overrun the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu, attacks condemned by African leaders and Western countries.
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NUM worried about ‘possible bloodbath of job losses’ on multiple fronts

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is worried about a “possible bloodbath of job losses” across multiple sectors, including steel, transportation, ferrochrome and mining, on the back of concerns about the 2025 Budget, problems faced by steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) and State-owned logistics company Transnet, along with an underwhelming performance in the mining sector. At the NUM national executive committee (NEC) meeting, held on February 27 and 28, the various issues were discussed, ranging from reflections on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation Address to concerns about the South African National Defence Force – something which is arguably outside of the NUM’s purview.
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South African health agency calls for coal-fired power station phase-out

An influential South African government agency recommended the country phase out coal-fired power stations on Thursday as it published a ten-year study which found that people living near them were 6% more likely to die than their peers elsewhere. South African officials and citizens are debating whether and how fast the country should embark on a partly donor-funded programme to switch to sun and wind energy from coal. The fossil fuel provides three quarters of national power and employs 90 000 people in jobs unions are fighting hard to protect.
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Exasperated Ramokgopa warns of ‘casualties’ after latest loadshedding bout

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has expressed exasperation and disappointment over the most recent implementation of Stage 3 loadshedding by Eskom over the weekend starting March 7, saying there should be consequences for the recent failures at the utility. Having reduced rotational power cuts dramatically since early 2024 after an intense few years when loadshedding was implemented almost daily, Eskom has again resorted to using the  growth- and confidence-sapping practice three times since January 31.
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Decision nears on $2.6bn of green funds for South Africa

A decision on a disbursement by the World Bank-linked Climate Investment Funds that would trigger a $2.6-billion green-finance package for South Africa may be made as early as Friday, people with knowledge of the matter said. The CIF, which is backed by money from 15 of the world’s richest nations, is considering a $500-million payment to South Africa to help it transition away from the use of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. If granted, that would unlock a further $2.1-billion in funding from multilateral development banks and other sources.
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Eskom implements Stage 3 loadshedding after losing Koeberg unit again

Eskom again resorted to Stage 3 loadshedding on Friday, after a loss of 2 700 MW in 14 hours, including Koeberg Unit 2, which was taken offline on March 2 and was meant to have been returned to service within two days. Implementation began at 14:00 on Friday March 7 and was scheduled to continue until 5:00 on Monday, March 10, the utility said in a statement.
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UK funds Energy Council of South Africa study into wholesale electricity market reform

The UK has approved £330 000 in funding to facilitate a study by the Energy Council of South Africa into the reforms still needed to implement a wholesale electricity market in South Africa. The funding was announced during a visit to Cape Town by UK Special Representative for Climate, Rachel Kyte.
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South Africa confirms US withdrawal of $1.5bn Just Energy Transition Partnership pledge

The Presidency has confirmed that it has been formally informed that the US has withdrawn from the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), to which it had initially pledged more than $1.5-billion of grant and commercial funding. The Just Energy Transition Project Management Unit (JET PMU) indicated that the withdrawal was communicated on February 28 by the US Embassy, citing the executive orders issued by President Donald Trump on January 10 and February 7.
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Sensor Networks forms smart geyser partnership with Ariston

Local smart home technology startup Sensor Networks has secured a strategic partnership with Italy-based geyser manufacturer Ariston to bring smart water heating solutions to South African households this year. The partnership follows months of rigorous product development, refinement and certification, culminating in the rollout of Ariston geysers integrated with Sensor Networks’ smart geyser devices to plumbing retailers in South Africa, Sensor Networks says.
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Cape Town moves to open electricity grid to traders after pilot

After the conclusion of a year-long electricity ‘wheeling’ pilot project, the City of Cape Town is opening its electricity grid to private electricity sales and trading. During the pilot phase, 562 800 kWh of renewable electricity was successfully wheeled.
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