South Africa reiterates call for extension of 90-day reciprocal tariff pause while US finalises trade matters ‘template’ for Africa

The South African government has confirmed that it has reiterated its request for an extension of a prevailing 90-day pause on the imposition of reciprocal tariffs of 31% on South African exports... 

AECI mulling future of historic Modderfontein site after difficult few months

Explosives and chemicals group AECI is expecting an operational recovery at its iconic Modderfontein plant in the second half of 2025, following a difficult first few months to the year when output... 

Big 153 MW/612 MWh Red Sands battery storage project achieves commercial close

The 153 MW/ 612 MWh Red Sands battery energy storage system (BESS) project in the Northern Cape has advanced to commercial close, following the signing of project agreements with the Department of... 

NTCSA eyes April 1 electricity market platform debut

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has indicated that it is aiming to have the initial phase of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market, also referred to as the SAWEM,... 

South Africa’s IPP procurement model under review amid sustainability concerns

The South African government has provided an update on the timelines for the launch of the inaugural procurement of independent transmission projects (ITPs), as well as additional insight into the... 

Deadline looms

Memories of that ‘dim-the-lights’ Oval Office ambush have been enveloped in a fog of billionaire-bro brawls, immigrant raids and protests, the militarisation of law enforcement, vaccine-committee... 

South Africa to impose chrome ore export controls and approves power incentive in bid to arrest ferrochrome decline

Cabinet has approved export controls and an electricity incentive for South Africa’s ferrochrome industry after receiving an update on the socioeconomic impact of the continued decline of the... 

Ramokgopa again rebuffs conflict-of-interest allegations in battery storage tender

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has again rebuffed allegations of a conflict of interest in the selection of independent power producer (IPP) Mulilo as a preferred bidder... 

Statistical review highlights scale of energy transition challenge as emissions continue to rise

Global emissions from energy grew 1% to a record 40.8 Gt of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2024 as total energy demand rose 2% to a new high of 592 exajoules (EJ), the latest ‘Statistical... 

Ramaphosa backs extension of equity-equivalent scheme to telecoms sector

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his support for extending the use of the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) to the broadband telecommunications sector as proposed in a draft... 

BFI funding crucial for unlocking short-term freight investments while long-gestation private projects evolve

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has underlined the importance of the National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure in helping Transnet to fund the near-term rail and port investments... 

Hlabisa wants new White Paper to address municipal funding model problem

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa reports that government is aiming to publish an updated White Paper on Local Government by March next year, arguing that... 

$1.5bn World Bank loan to support reforms in South Africa’s energy and transport sectors

The World Bank has approved a $1.5-billion (R27-billion) development policy loan to support the implementation of ongoing structural reform in South Africa’s energy and transport sectors, as well... 

George outlines initiatives speeding up enviro authorisations in lower sensitivity areas

Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George says that making the department’s systems more efficient, transparent and responsive has been a key focus area for him during his... 

OECD urges South Africa to consider municipal electricity distribution concessions

A new Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report recommends allowing South African municipalities to enter into concession agreements with independent electricity... 

Gas users call for fiscal guarantees to advance gas-cliff avoidance projects to ‘transactional level’

Industrial Gas Users Association South Africa (IGUA-SA) CEO Jaco Human has called for the urgent finalisation of a fiscal guarantees framework to help progress, to a “transactional level”, the... 

Godlimpi defends Transformation Fund while admitting it’s no empowerment ‘silver bullet’

While defending the controversial launch of a R100-billion Transformation Fund, Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi has also urged lawmakers not to view the proposed... 

Procurement poser

Few would argue that South Africa’s procurement of electricity generation capacity from independent power producers (IPPs) is one of the country’s very few public procurement success stories. But... 

Globeleq moves to buy majority stake in Zambian hydro company

Independent power producer Globeleq has signed a share purchase agreement with Norwegian development institution Norfund for the acquisition of a 51% equity stake in Zambia’s Lunsemfwa Hydro Power... 

NRWDI outlines plan for new facility to store Koeberg spent fuel offsite from 2030

The National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI) is moving ahead with preliminary designs for a so-called Centralised Interim Storage Facility (CISF) at the Vaalputs site in the Northern... 

Nedlac deliberations on IRP to be wrapped up ‘in next week or so’

South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) CEO Dr Titus Mathe reports that consultations at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) on the latest draft of... 

Eskom reports progress on 5 GW 'repowering' pipeline as $2.6bn CIF approval is secured

Eskom has confirmed that it has a 5 GW pipeline of so-called ‘repowering’ projects at various stages of development on the sites of six coal power stations, including Komati, which has already... 

South Africa given access to $1bn concessional fund to help green industry

South Africa has been selected alongside six other developing countries to participate in a new $1-billion global investment programme that will provide concessional finance for projects that... 

Mantashe wants newly launched SANPC to lead oil refining revival

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has indicated that he wants the newly launched South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) to play a central role in reviving domestic... 

Too sluggish

The fact that it takes an exceedingly long time in South Africa for policy decisions to be made let alone implemented is something of a doubled-edged sword. On the positive side, it can sometimes... 

Ramaphosa aims to use G20 platform to clear hurdles to African green hydrogen, just energy investments

President Cyril Ramaphosa has again underlined the industrialisation potential of green hydrogen, and has stressed that South Africa will use its G20 Presidency as well as its participation in the... 

NTCSA aiming to launch electricity market platform on April 1

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has indicated that it is aiming to have the initial phase of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market, also referred to as the SAWEM,... 

South Africa asks US not to hike tariffs to 30% on July 9 if talks on new trade framework still ongoing

South Africa has requested that the US refrain from raising tariffs above the prevailing 10% level should negotiations on a new trade framework not be concluded by July 9, when a 90-day pause on... 

Mulilo emerges as battery-storage force, participating in 65% of projects awarded

South African independent power producer (IPP) Mulilo has emerged as a leading battery storage project sponsor following three public procurement bidding rounds. It is participating in 12 of the 18... 

South Africa provides details on Credit Guarantee Vehicle as it confirms ITP procurement timelines

The South African government has provided an update on the timelines for the launch of the inaugural procurement of independent transmission projects (ITPs), as well as additional insight into the... 

South Africa’s IPP procurement model under review amid sustainability concerns

South Africa’s Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) has confirmed that it is undertaking a comprehensive review of the country’s public procurement framework for independent power producers... 

Sasol slashes emission-reduction capex but insists 30% target remains intact

Energy and chemicals group Sasol has announced a dramatic 70% cut to the capital expenditure (capex) budget associated with its greenhouse-gas emission reduction roadmap to 2030, while still... 

South Africa’s township entrepreneurs begin adopting plug-and-play solar solution

The market for a pioneering solar-battery solution tailored to meet the needs of informal businesses such as spaza shops, salons, tailors, mechanics and restaurants operating in South Africa’s... 

Unworkable shortcuts

If there were but one lesson to draw from the 2025 Budget, it must be that inadequate consultation seriously reduces the chances of navigating the new normal of coalition governance. To their... 

OECD urges South Africa to consider municipal electricity distribution concessions

A new Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report recommends allowing South African municipalities to enter into concession agreements with independent electricity... 

DoT confirms 162 responses to RFI for private freight rail and port projects

The Department of Transport (DoT) reports that it received 162 formal responses to a request for information (RFI) launched by Minister Barbara Creecy in March to test the market appetite for... 

Gas users call for fiscal guarantees to advance gas-cliff avoidance projects to ‘transactional level’

Industrial Gas Users Association South Africa (IGUA-SA) CEO Jaco Human has called for the urgent finalisation of a fiscal guarantees framework to help progress, to a “transactional level”, the... 

Godlimpi defends Transformation Fund while admitting it’s no empowerment ‘silver bullet’

While defending the controversial launch of a R100-billion Transformation Fund, Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi has also urged lawmakers not to view the proposed... 

‘Landmark’ Discovery Green offtake deal with Red Rocket unlocks 150 MW wind project

Electricity trader Discovery Green has signed a power purchase agreement with Red Rocket that unlocks the second phase of the independent power producer’s (IPP’s) 150 MW Overberg Wind Farm, located... 

Mulilo and Scatec emerge as preferred bidders for R9.5bn battery storage projects

Independent power producers (IPPs) Mulilo and Scatec have been named as preferred bidders to develop 616 MW/2 464 MWh of new battery storage capacity at a cost of R9.5-billion across five...