IEA assisting in Africa wind-mapping project

Developing a resource map and establishing a wind atlas for Africa, particularly for the Southern African Development Community region, was key for the development of the renewable energy sector... 

International partners back SA renewables roll-out

South Africa has established an international partnership with four European countries and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to secure long-term funding for the development of the country’s... 

First designated products for local procurement identified, more soon

Government has named the "first wave" of products that will require a minimum level of local content in terms of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, which came into effect in early... 

New model needed to upscale climate finance in Africa

The world needs a new way of doing business in Africa, particularly with regard to climate finance, World Bank special envoy for climate change Andrew Steer said earlier this month. The gross... 

Eskom prepared to invest in CCS if business case is strong

State-owned power utility Eskom could implement carbon capture and storage (CCS) in future, if there was a strong business case for it and if proven storage was available, acting GM for research,... 

Norway to commission $1bn carbon capture and storage project in 2012

The Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) in Norway, in which South African petrochemicals giant Sasol has a share, would be commissioned in the second quarter of 2012, Norwegian State-owned oil and gas... 

Nuclear punted as climate change mitigation option

Mitigation improvements derived from nuclear energy and hydropower could contribute more to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than what Annex 1 countries could achieve under the Kyoto... 

Any new disaster could spell the end of nuclear, economist warns

The Fukushima Daiichi disaster that struck Japan in March following a major earthquake and tsunami would slow nuclear power growth and another big accident could mean the end of nuclear as a... 

Climate-resilient infrastructure a critical adaptation element

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy was not only about reducing the country’s carbon footprint, but also required investment to fund the building of “resilient infrastructure” that would enable... 

Eskom sees ‘significant’ opportunity emerging for solar-geyser firms

There were significant growth opportunities for local suppliers and manufacturers in South Africa’s solar water heater (SWH) sector, as the country aims to install one-million units by 2014/15,... 

Electricity utilities move to collaborate on climate change threat

The Global Electricity Initiative (GEI) was launched in Durban last week, bringing together 25 utilities from around the world to collaborate on climate change, while the international negotiations... 

Research facility planned to ‘fine tune’ thin solar technology

TThe University of Johannesburg’s Photovoltaic Technology Intellectual Property (PTIP) company has undergone restructuring in the past 12 months and remained focused on commercialising thin-film... 

SA should consider placing a price on carbon

Policy makers in South Africa would have to focus their efforts on placing a price on carbon in the next few years, said Paul Curnow, Sydney-based partner with global law firm Baker & McKenzie.... 

Shanduka ups stake in coal venture

Cyril Ramaphosa’s Shanduka Group and Glencore International will share control of their coal joint venture in South Africa, after the black-owned group increased its stake. CEO Phuti Malabie said... 

Trans Hex makes R180.6m from SA diamond sales

Miner Trans Hex made R180.6-million from its October to December tender sales of South African production, the TSX- and JSE-listed miner reported on Tuesday. The company sold 20 270.74 ct at an... 

Italy's Tenova buys Bateman Engineering

Italian engineering group Tenova said on Tuesday it has acquired Bateman Engineering, a global engineering project house with its main operational office in Johannesburg. Tenova CEO Gianluigi Nova... 

Italy’s Tenova buys Bateman Engineering

Italian engineering group Tenova said on Tuesday it has acquired Bateman Engineering, a global engineering project house with its main operational office in Johannesburg. Tenova CEO Gianluigi Nova... 

Paragon recovers first diamond from new Lesotho project

Aim-quoted Paragon Diamonds said on Tuesday that the positive results emanating from a field exploration programme reflected the potential of the Motete dyke in Lesotho. Earlier this month, its... 

Aquarius confirms Mimosa ownership deal

Aquarius Platinum confirmed on Tuesday that local communities have acquired a stake in the Mimosa mine in Zimbabwe, which it jointly owns with world number-two platinum miner Impala Platinum... 

Lonrho to raise £26.9m for new business ventures

London- and Johannesburg-listed Lonrho said on Tuesday that it aimed to raise about £26.9-million to fund the development of new business opportunities that would complement its current operations.... 

Dubai’s Aramex buys Berco Express

Dubai-based logistics group Aramex has strengthened its footprint into Africa through the acquisition of South African logistics group Berco Express. Aramex views South Africa as a “highly... 

COP 17 breathes life into climate fund, sets agenda for future treaty

‎The two-week-long seventeenth Conference of the Parties (COP 17) came to an end in Durban this weekend with a fund launched to help poor nations fight climate change, countries agreeing to... 

Countries still committed to launching $100bn climate fund

Nations from around the world remained committed to launching the $100-billion Green Climate Fund (GCF) in Durban as one of the successful outcomes of the seventeenth Conference of the Parties (COP... 

EU climate chief urges US, China to come on board

The success of reaching a deal at the global climate change talks in Durban now depended on a “few countries” coming on board to commit to a climate change road map, EU climate change commissioner... 

'All systems go' for Eskom’s 100 MW wind project

The construction of the Sere wind farm in Vredendal is expected to be completed by the end of 2013, but power utility Eskom aspires to have the 100-MW wind project completed “much earlier” than... 

BMW to supply Rosslyn plant with electricity from waste

BMW South Africa has partnered with the City of Tshwane on a waste-to-energy project at its Rosslyn plant, in Pretoria, with construction set to start in 2012. At the end of last year, BWM... 

Weather Service warns number of high-temperature days rising

South Africa is experiencing an increasing number of days with high temperatures, with the rate of increase above the global average, South African Weather Service CEO Dr Linda Makuleni has warned.... 

Cities sign climate change adaptation charter

The 'Durban Adaptation Charter for Local Governments', which was signed by more than 100 cities from around the world this week, stressed the need for mainstream climate change adaptation as a key... 

Companies commit to energy efficiency

A group of 45 South African companies has signed the voluntary Energy Efficiency Leadership Network Pledge, confirming their commitment to energy efficiency. South African Breweries (SAB), Anglo... 

IEA assisting in Africa wind-mapping project

Developing a resource map and establishing a wind atlas for Africa, particularly for the Southern African Development Community region, was key for the development of the renewable energy sector... 

International partnership gives SA renewables scale-up a boost

South Africa has established an international partnership with four European countries and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to secure long-term funding for the development of the country’s... 

Govt names designated products for local procurement

Government has named the "first wave" of products that will require a minimum level of local content in terms of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, which came into effect on... 

'Blue carbon' policy framework seeks inclusion of coastal marine areas

The first policy framework outlining activities needed to include coastal marine areas has been presented in the ‘Blue Carbon Policy Framework’ report this week, highlighting the need for voluntary... 

Durban negotiations 'constructive', says Figueres

Negotiations were proceeding in a “constructive and productive” manner, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change executive secretary Christiana Figueres said at a press briefing at the... 

World cannot accept ‘no’ for an answer in Durban – UN chief

The business community has an important part to play in the fight against climate change, United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon said at a press briefing on Tuesday evening. He supported... 

Development banks move to help cities fight climate change

Five multilateral development banks (MDBs), which loan some $8.4-billion a year for climate action in cities, agreed this week on a new partnership to better coordinate and deepen support to cities... 

Developed world must honour climate finance commitments – Sisulu

Africa is concerned about the slow disbursement of the financial resources pledged by countries as “fast-start" finance, and has urged developed nations to honour their commitments, speaker of... 

Power utilities seek clarity on carbon market future

There is a need for a global carbon market, European utility EDF VP for sustainable development Claude Nahon told Engineering News Online on Tuesday. As the seventeenth Conference of the Parties,... 

Electricity utilities collaborate on climate change

The Global Electricity Initiative (GEI) was launched in Durban on Tuesday, bringing together 25 utilities from around the world to collaborate on climate change, while the international... 

Progress towards achieving millennium development goals slow

Deputy Energy Minister Barbara Thompson said on Monday that the pace would need to be stepped up if the millennium development goals (MDGs) were to be met globally by 2015. Speaking at a seminar...