Transnet claims World Bank container port index contains ‘factual errors’

South Africa’s Transnet claims the World Bank’s 2023 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) – in which South Africa’s ports rank dismally overall and the Port of Cape Town came in at the bottom of... 

Africa added 2 GW of hydropower last year, but IHA says 90% of on-river potential untapped

Africa added over 2 GW of hydropower capacity in 2023 but 90% of the continent’s on-river hydropower potential remains untapped, a new report states. Published by the International Hydropower... 

South Africa urged to integrate successful global grid-battery strategies to support roll-out

South Africa should consider ways to replicate strategies employed in regions such as South Australia and California to facilitate an accelerated uptake of grid batteries, which a new International... 

South Africa’s climate focus needs to shift from setting targets to tangible results – Moosa

South Africa is now entering a new and more demanding phase of climate action, Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) deputy chairperson Valli Moosa asserts, stressing that the focus is not only on... 

Reform momentum must be sustained ‘regardless of the form or composition’ of new government

President Cyril Ramaphosa has underlined the importance of the new government – which is yet to be formed after no single party secured an outright majority in the recent elections – continuing... 

Big business backs speedy formation of ‘stable GNU’

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), whose members are drawn from the largest domestic and multinational businesses operating in the country, has backed the African National Congress’ (ANC’s)... 

Eskom board approves plan to operate Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina power stations to 2030

The Eskom board has given its approval for the continued operation of the Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina power stations to 2030 – a departure from the original decommissioning schedule that has... 

Energy trader reports strong market demand for green electricity from 210 MW Hendrina Wind Farm

Newly formed electricity trader Apollo Africa reports that it is experiencing strong demand from potential customers for the renewable electricity that will be produced from the grid-ready 210 MW... 

Today’s well-supplied market for critical minerals ‘may not be a good guide for future’

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report describes the sharp decline in critical mineral prices over the past year as a double-edged sword, cautioning that, while it has been a boon for clean... 

Public protection

The application by Eskom to preserve and reserve grid connection capacity for independent power producers (IPPs) participating in public procurement processes implemented in line with Section 34 of... 

Eskom ‘decouples’ renewables roll-out from coal station closure plan

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane reports that a decision has been made to “decouple” the closure of its coal stations from the building, in partnership, of new renewable energy generation capacity linked to... 

Marokane says R285m spent on diesel in May compared with R2.8bn in May 2023

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane has rebuffed persistent suggestions that the utility is keeping loadshedding at bay owing to an “excessive” reliance on the diesel-fuelled open cycle gas turbines, reporting... 

Khoza calls for political leaders to prioritise ‘common good’ as he lambasts ‘betrayers’ of the Constitution

Renowned and outspoken business personality Reuel Khoza has urged South Africa’s political leadership currently negotiating the governance arrangements that should be implemented following an... 

Think tank outlines five priorities for new government and for shaping coalition talks

The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has released a list of five priorities for South Africa’s yet-to-be-formed new government and which the think tank also argues should help guide... 

Standard Bank’s Tshabalala confident South Africa’s institutions will deliver post-election stability

While refusing to be drawn on what coalition arrangement would be favourable for investment, Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala has expressed confidence in the ability of South Africa’s institutions... 

Wild Coast communities mull appeal of SCA gas exploration right ruling

While dismissing an appeal of a High Court judgment setting aside a right granted to Shell to explore for oil and gas off South Africa’s Wild Coast, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has suspended... 

Business urges all parties to accept election results and work together to rebuild country

Organised business has urged political leaders to accept the 2024 election results and to prioritise the crafting of stable governance arrangements underpinned by a commitment to the Constitution,... 

V&A Waterfront pilots ‘aesthetically pleasing’ small-scale wind turbines

Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is pioneering the integration of small, low-noise vertical-axis wind turbines into its green electricity supply mix, following the installation of four 1-kW units within... 

DMRE again delays bidding deadlines for procurement of new renewables and battery storage

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has confirmed another extension to the bid submission deadlines for the current renewables procurement round, as well as the second battery... 

Salga energy head calls for post-election review of free basic electricity scheme

The head of energy at the South African Local Government Association (Salga) has called for a review of both the size of the free basic electricity (FBE) allocation as well as the way the grant is... 

Worth the ink?

The National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP’s) recent approval of the Electricity Regulation Amendment (ERA) Bill has far-reaching implications for the future structure and operation of an industry... 

Supply-side support will be required if South Africa aims to join green industrialisation race

Stable demand remains a prerequisite if South Africa has any prospect of stimulating industrialisation in the renewable-energy and battery storage value chains, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies... 

Capital cost of energy transition ‘only one part of the picture’

The yearly $1.9-trillion being invested currently on clean energy would have to more than double and be more evenly distributed to place the world on track to meet net-zero emissions by 2050, a new... 

Delayed coal decommissioning won’t ‘collapse our climate commitments’

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) is currently assessing the impact of South Africa’s decision to delay the decommissioning of the Hendrina, Grootvlei and Camden coal-fired power stations... 

Nersa extends deadline for comment on Eskom’s move to reserve grid for public IPPs

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has extended to June 17 the deadline for comment on Eskom’s application to preserve and reserve grid capacity for independent power producers... 

Nersa confirms registration of 105 more generators as overall number rises to 1 415

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) reports that it registered a further 105 generation facilities during the period from January to March 2024, raising to 1 415 the number of... 

Deadline for latest battery procurement extended as IPPs adjust to Eskom’s new grid access rules

The deadline for South Africa’s recently launched third battery energy storage bidding round, or bid window three (BW3), has been extended by three months to October 31, following a recent deadline... 

TPT to continue to invest in Durban Pier 2 while legal spat over private partner plays out

South Africa’s Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says it will continue to invest in Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 while legal proceedings around its selection of International Container... 

Climate commission model points to the growth potential of green industrialisation

The initial direct cost of placing South Africa on an energy transition pathway over the coming five years in line with its decarbonisation targets is calculated at a hefty R1.5-trillion in the... 

Unintended consequences?

It is highly unlikely that South Africa would have made the progress it has in stabilising electricity supply and setting in place initiatives to halt the collapse of the country’s... 

TFR operating company head raises concern over ‘high tariff’ signalled in draft Network Statement

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) CEO Russell Baatjies has added his voice to industry-wide concerns being expressed about the high rail tariffs that would arise should the methodology included in a... 

Presidency insists 22.5 GW private IPP pipeline won’t be disrupted by Eskom move to reserve grid for public projects

The Presidency does not anticipate that Eskom’s move to reserve scarce grid capacity for independent power producers (IPPs) participating in public procurement bidding rounds will disrupt the more... 

South African member committee of World Energy Council launched

A South African member committee of the World Energy Council (WEC) has been launched under the aegis of the Energy Council of South Africa. The member committee is made up of ten high-level energy... 

Eskom seeks Nersa permission to reserve grid capacity for public IPP procurement rounds

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has invited comment on Eskom’s application to preserve and reserve grid connection capacity for independent power producers (IPPs)... 

Eskom board approves plan to operate Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina to 2030

The Eskom board has given its approval for the continued operation of the Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina power stations to 2030 – a departure from the original decommissioning schedule that has... 

Energy trader reports strong market demand for green electricity from 210 MW Hendrina Wind Farm

Newly formed electricity trader Apollo Africa reports that it is experiencing strong demand from potential customers for the renewable electricity that will be produced from the grid-ready 210 MW... 

Today’s well-supplied market for critical minerals ‘may not be a good guide for future’

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report describes the sharp decline in critical mineral prices over the past year as a double-edged sword, cautioning that, while it has been a boon for clean... 

Two BW6 solar projects with a combined capacity of 360 MW reach commercial close

Two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects selected as preferred bids under Bid Window 6 (BW6) of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) renewable energy procurement programme reached... 

City Power seeks funding, manufacturing partners for informal settlement ‘energy box’

Johannesburg’s City Power is seeking manufacturing and venture capital partners to further develop and pilot a rugged ‘energy box’ concept in one of the city’s 312 informal settlements as a... 

Solar rental firm begins testing roll-out model for underserved communities

Local solar-as-a-subscription service provider Wetility is deploying a rooftop solar solution in a lower-income community as part of a proof-of-concept study to firm up the feasibility of extending...