Warning that qualifying criteria for private grid procurement could sideline domestic industry

Concern continues to be raised over the technical and financial criteria being used to prequalify bidders for South Africa’s inaugural independent transmission project (ITP) tender, which critics... 

Sasol wants electricity trading licence to add ‘flexibility’ as it mulls equity in renewables

Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi has confirmed that the JSE-listed group has applied to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) for an electricity trading licence, and is also planning to take... 

Sasol expects coal destoning investment to lift Secunda volumes

Energy and chemicals group Sasol reports that construction of its coal destoning plant has been completed and that the facility, which should be ramped up to full production by December, is... 

First 11 train operators selected for 41 routes as South Africa takes big step in opening freight rail to private sector

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced that 11 of the 25 private train operating companies (TOCs) that applied to operate routes on Transnet’s rail network have met the requirements to do... 

South Africa urged to firm up developmental vision for universal electricity access

A leading advocate for the provision of free basic electricity (FBE) to poor South African households has welcomed moves by government to pursue its universal access goal through a “developmental”... 

Policy first

The message delivered by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa that the reforms under way in the electricity sector are “irreversible”, is an important one. Doubly so, given that... 

TNPA, Nersa move to streamline regulatory frameworks for energy projects at ports

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) in a bid to improve alignment on... 

Ramaphosa outlines vision for leveraging AfCFTA to support reindustrialisation

President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined how South Africa hopes to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to support the country’s reindustrialisation. Speaking at the ninth Tokyo... 

Public procurement uncertainty undermining industrialisation potential of big grid roll-out – Seifsa

Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) CEO-designate Tafadzwa Chibanguza says the prevailing uncertainty surrounding South Africa’s public procurement rules in... 

Eskom says 291 MW renewables offtake scheme tailored to decarbonisation needs of large customers

Eskom says its recently published request for proposals (RFP) inviting large power users to bid for 291 MW of solar PV capacity that the State-owned entity is aiming to introduce in phases from the... 

EXSA views Seriti Green deal as key milestone as it scales up for pure-play trading role

Licensed electricity trader Energy Exchange of Southern Africa (EXSA) describes its recently concluded 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Seriti Green as a major milestone in positioning... 

$500m Credit Guarantee Vehicle to be launched in time for first private grid projects

The National Treasury has confirmed that it will inject 20% of the $500-million initial funding required to set up the Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV) being established to derisk South African... 

AECI says noncore disposals proceeds nudging R3bn to R4bn target range

Chemicals and mining explosives group AECI says it is on track to realise the R3-billion to R4-billion in proceeds from the sale of noncore businesses it forecast at the start of its far-reaching... 

Reset needed

There has been an important, yet largely overlooked, shift in South Africa’s approach to meeting its goal of providing universal electricity access by 2030. A proposed revision to the delivery... 

New online tracker provides updated dashboard of South Africa’s reform progress

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has officially launched a free online platform that provides a regularly updated view of the progress, or otherwise, government is making in implementing... 

Electricity reform ‘irreversible’, Ramokgopa insists as he again urges Eskom not to pursue legal case against traders

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa insists that the reforms under way in the electricity sector are “irreversible”, and has again confirmed that he has asked the Eskom board... 

South Africa’s revised trade offer to the US described as ‘broad, generous, open and ambitious’

South Africa submitted a revised trade offer to the US on August 12, after its previous ‘Framework Agreement’ submitted in May failed to avert the institution of 30% ‘reciprocal tariffs’ on South... 

Partnership framework being prioritised ahead of Eskom Green launch

Eskom group executive for renewables Rivoningo Mnisi reports that the State-owned company has received a positive response to a tender for companies to support it with the establishment of a... 

Ramokgopa urges Eskom to withdraw legal case against traders

Electricity and Energy Miniter Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has urged Eskom to stay or withdraw its court action to have the National Energy Regulator of South Afirca’s (Nersa’s) licensing of five... 

Licensed electricity traders see Nersa rules process as opportunity to bolster certainty

Several licensed electricity traders canvassed by Engineering News have welcomed the decision by the regulator to initiate a process to finalise rules for domestic and cross-border trading and have... 

Six new solar projects selected and talks continue on eight more, including four wind projects

Six solar PV projects, with a combined capacity of 1 290 MW, have been named as preferred bidders following the seventh bid window (BW7) of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power... 

Two steps back?

The idiom ‘one step forward, two steps back’ has surely arisen in the minds of those who have been monitoring developments in the electricity industry over the recent past. It is undeniable that... 

EXSA-Seriti Green deal opens way for 155 MW Mpumalanga wind project

A 155 MW Mpumalanga wind energy project has reached financial close, following the signing of a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) between Seriti Green and licensed energy trader Energy... 

Cabinet approves support package for exporters exposed to US tariffs as talks continue

The South African government will on Monday August 11 unveil the support measures for companies and workers affected by the imposition of 30% reciprocal tariffs by the US on South African exports... 

SAWEM School ‘oversubscribed’ as NTCSA gears up for launch of market platform

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) reports strong interest in its recently launch three-day educational programme to prepare potential participants for the launch next year of... 

Pan African signs ten-year renewable supply deal with NOA Trading

Gold producer Pan African Resources has signed a ten-year renewables supply agreement with licensed electricity trader NOA Group Trading for 10% of its total yearly electricity load of 112 GWh. The... 

Nersa approves another trading licence in favour of Lyra Energy Trading

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has awarded an electricity trading licence to Lyra Energy Trading following a comprehensive process that included public hearings. The licence... 

Cabinet to meet on support package for firms and workers exposed to 30% US tariffs

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau will present Cabinet with a proposed support package for South African companies and workers that will be negatively affected by the 30%... 

South Africa urged to firm up developmental vision for universal electricity access

A leading advocate for the provision of free basic electricity (FBE) to poor South African households has welcomed moves by government to pursue its universal access goal through a “developmental”... 

Ramaphosa says talks with US continue while using citrus to illustrate complementary nature of trade relationship

All channels of communication remain open to engage with the US, President Cyril Ramaphosa writes in his weekly newsletter, published days after President Donald Trump confirmed that reciprocal... 

Eskom finalising PPP framework for 5 GW just energy transition pipeline

Eskom reports that repowering projects with a combined capacity of 5 GW are currently under development across six coal power station sites and that it is aiming to implement 2 GW by 2026, mostly... 

Ramokgopa outlines plan for blended-finance structure to meet 2030 universal access-to-electricity goal

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has provided the outline for an overhauled universal access strategy that employs a blended financing approach to electrify, by 2030, the... 

Reform backsliding?

There are worrying signs that the economic reforms under way in the electricity sector are stalling, or are even facing active resistance. Arguably, this development is predictable given the... 

$500m Credit Guarantee Vehicle to be launched in time for first private grid projects

The National Treasury has confirmed that it will inject 20% of the $500-million initial funding required to set up the Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV) being established to derisk South African... 

AECI says noncore disposals proceeds nudging R3bn to R4bn target range

Chemicals and mining explosives group AECI says it is on track to realise the R3-billion to R4-billion in proceeds from the sale of noncore businesses it forecast at the start of its far-reaching... 

Prequalification launched for South Africa’s inaugural procurement of independent transmission projects

The Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE) has formally launched the first stage of its independent transmission projects (ITP) procurement programme with an invitation for companies to respond... 

Tau says reset in US trade relations ‘unavoidable’ on eve of reciprocal tariff deadline

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says a reset in South Africa’s trade relations with the US is unavoidable, but has also reiterated the country’s stance that negotiations remain... 

Eskom’s legal challenge against traders raises questions over reform momentum

Eskom has launched its long-threatened legal review of the regulator’s decision to grant licences in 2024 to five electricity traders, as well as a cross-border trading licence – a move that has... 

SAWEM School opens as ‘launchpad’ into competitive electricity market

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has announced the launch of a flagship and mandatory educational programme for those seeking accreditation to participate in the South African... 

EDF power solutions aims to add 500 MW of low-carbon assets yearly in South Africa

French energy group EDF says the consolidation of its two international low-carbon businesses into a new entity called EDF power solutions has repositioned it to implement multi-technology projects...