Fraught Eskom build programme completed as Kusile Unit 6 enters commercial operation

Unit 6 at Kusile power station has officially entered into commercial operation, which Eskom says marks the end of its multi-decade build programme – one which experienced well-publicised delays,... 

Ramokgopa says electricity package for ferrochrome smelters to include ‘significant concessions’

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has confirmed that government is finalising an electricity package for the ferrochrome sector that goes beyond the negotiated pricing agreement... 

Business considers partnership to halt Joburg’s decline along lines of loadshedding intervention

The CEO-led business partnership that is currently assisting the South African government with the implementation of turnaround initiatives in electricity, transport, crime and youth unemployment... 

Big few months ahead in countdown to South African Wholesale Electricity Market

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has provided a detailed breakdown of the steps being taken in preparation for the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market... 

First private train operators expected to enter network over coming 12 to 36 months

Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips reports that negotiations are under way to conclude contracts with the first 11 private train operating companies (TOCs) that have qualified to take up slots on the... 

Electrotech vision

South Africa is thankfully surfacing from a of period of prolonged electricity disruption that all but stripped the country of its ability to grow and create jobs for more than a decade. But this... 

New smart meter-led strategy unveiled to tackle load reduction scourge

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has unveiled a new smart meter-led strategy to address the ongoing problem of load reduction, where the supply of electricity to poor... 

Tariff investigations now taking 27 months on average to complete, report shows

Import duty investigations in South Africa are currently taking an average of 27 months to complete – more than four times the official target of six months, and with the oldest open tariff probe... 

Newly consolidated renewables major, Anthem, sets 6 GW goal for 2030

Two well-established South African renewables companies – African Clean Energy Developments and EIMS Africa – have officially combined to form a new large-scale independent power producer (IPP)... 

Ramokgopa says inquorate Necsa board to be replaced by new board within three weeks

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says a new board will be appointed at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) before the middle of October, replacing the... 

Treasury optimistic R2bn smart-meter scheme can help arrest Eskom arrear debt crisis

Having rolled-out 67 000 smart meters across eight pilot municipalities in 2024/25 as part of an effort to improve revenue management at municipalities that owe Eskom billions in outstanding arear... 

Market countdown

It is understandable that few are fully aware of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) and the likely significance of this complex reform, which represents an important... 

25-year extensions of Island View liquid-bulk terminal leases to boost fuel security – Creecy

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has issued a directive instructing the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to renew the leases of existing liquid-bulk terminal operators in the Island View... 

Tribunal dismisses predatory pricing complaint against AMSA, as longs wind-down deadline nears

The Competition Tribunal has dismissed an application for interim relief against ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) sought by steel producers Cape Gate and Scaw South Africa, which alleged that AMSA... 

Mega-scale 506 MW Free State solar cluster takes another big step forward

A mega-scale solar and battery storage hub is under construction on a 560 ha site in the grid-ready Free State province – a development that comprises two solar PV farms with a combined capacity of... 

Failure to strike right tariff restructuring balance will undermine SAWEM

With preparations under way for the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) in 2026, new research highlights how decisions on the future regulated tariff structure,... 

IEA lowers 2030 low-emissions hydrogen production outlook

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has lowered its outlook for the amount of low-emissions hydrogen it expects will be produced yearly by 2030, following recent project delays and cancellations.... 

Firms across steel value chain gear up to reply to Itac’s sweeping tariff proposal

Companies across South Africa’s steel value chain are gearing up to submit responses to a preliminary determination by the International Trade Commission of South Africa (Itac) that proposes the... 

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... 

Coal destoning investment to lift Secunda volumes – Sasol

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... 

HARD TIMES

ArcelorMittal South Africa announced earlier this month that it had placed the Newcastle blast furnace into temporary care and maintenance and had initiated retrenchment processes. While... 

Tariff pushback

The extreme pace of the 2025 news cycle has made it difficult to remember even the most important developments. For instance, it is difficult to recall the immediate concern raised in January over... 

Big few months ahead in countdown to South African Wholesale Electricity Market

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has provided a detailed breakdown of the steps being taken in preparation for the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market... 

Ramaphosa calls for collective BRICS response to ‘seismic shifts’ in global trade

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the increasingly protectionist environment arising from unilateral tariff actions pose great dangers for countries such as South Africa, and has called for BRICS... 

Nersa’s approval of AMSA applications may spark fresh dispute with Eskom

Another dispute may be looming between Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). This one, over the regulator’s decision to approve ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s)... 

First private train operators expected to enter network over coming 12 to 36 months

Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips reports that negotiations are under way to conclude contracts with the first 11 private train operating companies (TOCs) that have qualified to take up slots on the... 

First 11 train operators selected for 41 routes as SA 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... 

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... 

Decision time

Developments in the South African steel industry offer a glimpse into the pressures being faced by the manufacturing sector as a whole, and the likely industrial and trade policy responses to those... 

New independent directors must be appointed for Necsa board to be quorate

Following the resignation of five board members from the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) last week, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will need to appoint... 

B20 South Africa energy task force urges big upscaling in energy transition financing

The B20 South Africa task force on energy has unveiled three recommendations that will be presented to the G20 government leaders when they gather for their yearly meeting in Johannesburg in... 

Treasury optimistic R2bn smart-meter scheme can help arrest Eskom arrear debt crisis

Having rolled-out 67 000 smart meters across eight pilot municipalities in 2024/25 as part of an effort to improve revenue management at municipalities that owe Eskom billions in outstanding arear... 

Newcastle mill placed into care and maintenance

ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has confirmed that the Newcastle blast furnace has been placed into temporary care and maintenance and that it is taking preparatory steps towards the potential... 

Large miners and industrial firms want tariff reopener after R54bn settlement creates price-path uncertainty

The Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) has called for a reopening of the most recent electricity tariff determination, arguing that a R54-billion behind-closed-doors settlement between the... 

DEE outlines expanded role for IPPO as it appoints new head

The Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE) has appointed Precious Mmabakwena Edward as the new head of the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO). The appointment became effective on... 

Public hearings to be held on NTCSA’s application for electricity market operator licence

A public hearing into the National Transmission Company South Africa’s (NTCSA’s) application for a market operator licence will be hosted by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on... 

Announcement on inflation target to be made ‘as soon as is practical’

The National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have issued a rare joint statement to provide an update regarding the progress being made in ongoing deliberations over the future of... 

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... 

Pressure mounting

With industrial and trade policy firmly back on the global agenda, South African industry is becoming more vocal in highlighting the threats posed to South Africa’s industrial capacity by policy... 

IDC says it can’t go it alone in salvaging AMSA’s longs unit

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) says no decision has been made in relation to further support for ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s) long-steel business, after the State-owned...