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Just Transition Framework means South Africa can ‘proceed apace’ with $8.5bn partnership

By: Terence Creamer Updated 20 minutes ago President Cyril Ramaphosa says the publication of the Just Transition Framework will enable South Africa to “proceed apace with harnessing the benefits” of the Just Energy Transition Partnership concluded with the US, the UK, Germany, France and the European Union in late 2021. The partnership... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Drakenstein municipality explores IPP procurement to combat load-shedding

By: Terence Creamer Updated 2 hours 5 minutes ago The Drakenstein municipality in the Western Cape – encompassing Paarl, Wellington, Mbekweni, Gouda, Saron, Hermon and Simondium – reports that it is exploring the procurement of electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) to mitigate the negative impact of ongoing load-shedding by Eskom.... →

Treasury says Pension Funds Act changes encourage infrastructure investment

By: Terence Creamer Updated 2 hours 45 minutes ago The National Treasury has published amendments to Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act that encourages infrastructure investments by retirement funds, while still leaving the final investment decision to fund trustees. The amendments will take effect on January 3, 2023. →

Eskom working on grid-access Web portal to improve connection visibility

By: Terence Creamer 4th July 2022 Electricity utility Eskom is developing a Web-based portal that will offer real-time visibility of locations in South Africa where new generators can be immediately or easily connected to the grid. The utility has, for the past three years, been arguing that between 4 000 MW and 6 000 MW of... →

Fuel prices to surge to new record, as general levy relief is trimmed to 75c/l

By: Terence Creamer 4th July 2022 As feared, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has announced big fuel price increases for implementation on July 6. Despite calls ahead of the announcement for the temporary reduction in the general fuel levy to be sustained at 150 c/l, Mantashe confirmed that the reprieve would... →

Focus on ‘core underlying issues’ to tackle load-shedding crisis – EIUG

By: Terence Creamer 1st July 2022 Ending the current restrictions to the addition of new generation capacity and addressing Eskom’s deteriorating generation performance are key to arresting intensifying load-shedding, the Energy Intensive Users Group (EUIG) asserts. CEO Fanele Mondi said in a statement the recent illegal... →

City of Cape Town pursues reinstatement of joint rail enforcement unit

By: Irma Venter 1st July 2022 The City of Cape Town says it is keen to help revive the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) rail enforcement unit (REU), which operated as a three-way government partnership between October 2018, and July 2020. The REU was launched by then Minister of Transport Blade Nzimande at a... →

Eskom attributes three stages of load-shedding to wildcat strike

By: Terence Creamer 1st July 2022 Embattled power utility Eskom has attributed three stages of the current load-shedding, which is being implemented daily at between Stage 4 and Stage 6, directly to the illegal strike under way at varying levels of intensity across its coal fleet. Speaking against the backdrop of a resumption of... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Eskom CEO André de Ruyter

South Africa's worst-ever bout of load-shedding

By: Creamer Media Reporter 1st July 2022 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about South Africa's worst-ever bout of load-shedding and what has led to Eskom having to resort to implementing Stage 6 load-shedding for several days; how other stakeholders have responded to this situation; and... →

South Africa's worst-ever bout of load-shedding

Eastern Cape port investment should foster auto sector expansion – AIDC EC

By: Irma Venter 1st July 2022 The Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC EC) says it applauds Transnet National Port Authority’s (TNPA’s) announcement that it will inject R9.1-billion into its three Eastern Cape ports over the next seven years. AIDC EC CEO Thabo Shenxane says the centre, as well as other... →

The East London port

DPWI reiterates commitment to preventing corruption in public built projects

By: Marleny Arnoldi 30th June 2022 The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has signed an anti-corruption pledge alongside independent statutory body the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and seeks to solicit the commitment of infrastructure and construction sector players to also maintain good integrity and... →

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille

DBSA tasked with overseeing Sanral tender reappointment process

By: Donna Slater 30th June 2022 The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has appointed the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) as an independent and lead adjudicating body after Sanral’s board in May declined the contracts previously entered into for five strategic projects. As such, the DBSA will act as... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, Sanral chairperson Themba Mhambi and Sanral acting CEO Lehlohonolo Memeza at a briefing on June 30.

Digital transformation of manufacturing expected to improve efficiencies

By: Schalk Burger 29th June 2022 The transformation of manufacturing processes and operations into connected, integrated, automated and smart operations, collectively known as Industry 4.0, will reduce the amount of low skilled positions but also create new skilled positions, assurance and advisory services multinational PwC... →

Mercedes-Benz SA says pilot solar project a success; plans expansion

By: Irma Venter 29th June 2022 Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has declared its pilot solar energy project a success. MBSA piloted the project in order to evaluate the solar yield for the East London manufacturing plant, in the Eastern Cape. →

Image of the solar panel roof installation at MBSA plant

Gordhan says Eskom, unions reach wage agreement; hopes second day of Stage 6 load-shedding can be avoided

By: Chanel de Bruyn 28th June 2022 Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Tuesday evening said he was hopeful that Eskom would be able to avoid implementing Stage 6 load-shedding for a second day on Wednesday, after the power utility and unions had reached a wage agreement earlier in the day. Eskom on Tuesday afternoon... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan

Production continuing despite Nelson Mandela Bay water crisis – VWSA

By: Irma Venter 27th June 2022 Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) says production of the Polo and Polo Vivo at its Kariega plant in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality is continuing, despite the water supply crisis in the area. “Our Kariega plant is operating as normal and there are no issues as yet with the water supply,”... →

PRASA awards R7.5bn in contracts for rolling stock overhaul

By: Irma Venter 27th June 2022 The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has awarded five companies general overhaul contracts for its older rolling stock to the value of R7.5-billion. The agency says the five-year contracts will allow for the heavy maintenance and repairs of its existing train sets, while also... →

Earth & Wire targets Eastern Cape for first long-duration storage roll-out

By: Terence Creamer 27th June 2022 Independent renewable energy company Earth & Wire expects to begin installing its first long-duration energy storage system in South Africa in 2024 after announcing a 300 MW/1 200 MWh order for a battery system from Ambri, of the US. First deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 2024,... →

Artist impression of the Ambri storage system

TNPA embarks on ambitious R9.1bn seven-year infrastructure development programme

By: Marleny Arnoldi 24th June 2022 Further to Transnet National Port Authority’s (TNPA’s) “reimagined” operational model, launched in November last year, and increased efficiency initiatives that are under way, the State-owned utility has announced it will spend R9.1-billion over the next seven years on capital projects in the... →

Port of Ngqura

Stage 4 load-shedding extended into weekend as illegal strike disrupts coal plants

By: Terence Creamer 24th June 2022 Eskom has extended Stage 4 load-shedding – initially implemented at 11:00 on Friday June 24, as an illegal strike led to the loss of more coal production – until Sunday and the utility has also refrained from providing a system prognosis for the coming week. COO Jan Oberholzer said the decision... →

Renewed focus on South Africa's Just Energy Transition Partnership

24th June 2022 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the fresh attention this week on the $8.5-billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P) between South Africa and various developed countries; the importance of South Africa finalising a JET-P investment... →

Renewed focus on South Africa's Just Energy Transition Partnership

US wants South Africa’s just transition investment plan aligned with lower end of decarbonisation pledge

By: Terence Creamer 23rd June 2022 South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership Investment Plan, or JETP-IP, should be geared towards projects that will support the country in meeting the lower end of its new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), a senior US Treasury official has indicated. Ahead of the 2021 COP26 climate... →

Solar panels at the Komati power station, where some initial JETP projects could be located

Numsa to picket the Japanese embassy on future of Nissan plant; Nissan denies closure rumours

By: Irma Venter 23rd June 2022 The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) says it will be picketing the Japanese Embassy in Pretoria on Friday. The union intends to hand over a memorandum of demands regarding a “number of grievances” against Nissan’s management in South Africa. →

Image of Navara production at the Rosslyn plant

Afrimat Construction Index shows first quarter decline

By: Irma Venter 23rd June 2022 Although the Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) has marginally outperformed South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate during the first quarter of 2022 on a year-on-year basis, the index has returned to a trend of declining between each year’s fourth quarter and the first quarter of... →

Eskom set to host first roundtable with energy experts as load-shedding is extended

By: Terence Creamer 22nd June 2022 Eskom CEO André de Ryuter reports that the utility will host its first roundtable with local and international energy experts on Friday June 24 to discuss solutions to the country’s electricity crisis and ongoing load-shedding. Speaking during a briefing to explain a decision to extend rotational... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Eskom's Megawatt Park HQ

Eskom signs battery contracts with Pinggao and Hyosung as part of R11bn roll-out

By: Terence Creamer 22nd June 2022 State-owned electricity utility Eskom has confirmed that it has awarded battery energy storage system (BESS) contracts to two suppliers for projects with a combined capacity of 199 MW/833 MWh. CEO André de Ruyter confirmed on Wednesday that the BESS programme, which is being funded through a... →

Eskom CEO André de Ruyter

Final Just Energy Transition Partnership Investment Plan expected by November

By: Terence Creamer 22nd June 2022 A Just Energy Transition Partnership Investment Plan (JETP-IP), which will seek to unlock $8.5-billion in concessional climate finance to accelerate South Africa’s transition from coal to renewables and support workers and communities currently reliant on the coal value chain, is expected to be... →

COP President Alok Sharma

Operation Vulindlela making progress in driving priority structural reforms

By: Marleny Arnoldi 21st June 2022 The Presidency’s Operation Vulindlela (OV) has made markable process on accelerating implementation of priority structural reforms since its establishment in October 2020. Presidency project management office head Rudi Dicks addressed delegates during the Manufacturing Indaba, held in Sandton on... →

Presidency private office director Saul Musker explains how far Operation Vulindlela has come with assisting structural reform

BMW SA adds 16 African countries to its export list

By: Irma Venter 21st June 2022 BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) has added 16 African countries to its existing portfolio of 30 export countries, including Senegal, Nigeria, Angola, Kenya and Ethiopia. BMW SA produces the BMW X3 sports activity vehicle (SAV) at the Rosslyn plant, in Tshwane. →

The BMW X3

Patel says ‘pragmatic solution’ to be found to localisation-linked renewables delays

By: Terence Creamer 21st June 2022 Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel reports that government is working to find a “pragmatic solution” to the problem where local-content requirements contained in government’s electricity procurement programmes are delaying the construction of utility scale renewable-energy... →

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel on localising renewables components in a pragmatic way. Camera Work: Shadwyn Dickinson. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 21.06.2022

Finance ‘sea change’ needed for Africa to meet $190bn/y energy investment goal

By: Terence Creamer 20th June 2022 Achieving Africa’s energy and climate goals by 2030, including universal access, will require a more than doubling in energy investment this decade, rising to a yearly rate of $190-billion from 2026 to 2030, a new International Energy Agency (IEA) report shows. It will also require the connection... →

Executive director Dr Fatih Birol

Delay gas procurement until policy reflects big cost and emission shifts – study

By: Terence Creamer 20th June 2022 Before moving ahead with the procurement of gas-fired generation, South Africa should update both its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity and its Gas Master Plan to reflect prevailing renewables and battery costs, as well as the country’s carbon constraints, a new Meridian Economics... →

Study argues that deploying gas generators "optimally" as peakers implies that the electricity sector cannot anchor demand for LNG imports

Labour migration policy nearing completion, says Nxesi as truckers intensify action over foreign drivers

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th June 2022 The Employment and Labour Department is finalising policy that will help to regulate the extends to which foreign nationals can be employed in South Africa, Minister Thulas Nxesi said on Friday. His comments come as trucker drivers this week intensified their national strike against the... →

Calls for petrol price deregulation display lack of knowledge – FRA

By: Irma Venter 17th June 2022 Increasing calls from the public for the petrol price to be deregulated speak of ignorance, warns Fuel Retailers Association (FRA) CEO Reggie Sibiya. “As fuel prices continue to rise, there is pressure on retailers to cut margins and be in competition with each other, which is absolutely... →

Eskom has 32 GW of grid capacity, but not where most renewables investors want it

By: Terence Creamer 17th June 2022 Eskom acknowledges that transmission constraints remain an obstacle to the introduction of new renewables generation, but the utility also highlights that 32 GW of grid capacity is immediately available to those independent power producers (IPPs) willing to build projects outside of the country’s... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Eskom power lines

Motsepe Foundation, partners invest in projects to uplift farmers, communities

By: Darren Parker 15th June 2022 Nonprofit organisation the Motsepe Foundation has launched two large-scale agricultural and farming projects involving rural and traditional communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, in partnership with agriculture industry association Agri SA and established commercial farmers and agribusinesses.... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Darren Parker
Dr Patrice Motsepe

Proposals made to end worsening load-shedding

By: Creamer Media Reporter 15th June 2022 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about warnings that load-shedding could become much worse if urgent action is not taken, proposals by Meridien Economics and other experts on how to end load-shedding and the need for political will and coordination... →

Proposals made to end worsening load-shedding

SA faces unique EV conundrum, warns Frost & Sullivan research director

By: Irma Venter 15th June 2022 It is impossible to draw a direct comparison between South Africa and other countries that have adopted strategies to push the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs), warns Frost & Sullivan research director Craig Parker. He says that South Africa’s economic structure and demographic profile are... →

Craig Parker

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