Renewables: Eskom sets the record straight
IOL 18 May 2016 Eskom yesterday moved to clarify its chief executive Brian Molefe’s recent comments about the failure of renewable energy projects to deliver electricity capacity during peak periods when power demand spikes. The utility said it supported the renewable energy projects and currently had l
Molefe’s negative renewables comments attract yet more criticism
Engineering News – ONLINE 16 May 2016 Eskom CEO Brian Molefe’s negative comments regarding the performance of renewable energy in South Africa continued to attract criticism on Monday, with a solar photovoltaic (PV) industry body describing Molefe’s views as “ill-informed at best, and misleadi
SAPVIA media statement – RE contributes positively to electricity supply economic development
Renewable energy contributes positively to electricity supply, economic development SAPVIA has read with concern a recent media report[1], attributed to Eskom’s CEO Brian Molefe, about the performance of renewable energy plants in South Africa. If the statements as reported are an accurate representatio
SA to add 100MW solar power to national grid in 2018
BD Live 12 May 2016 French group Engie has signed a 20-year power purchase deal with power utility Eskom to connect 100MW of solar power to the national grid in 2018 from its Kathu Solar plant. Eskom, which provides virtually all of SA’s power, faces a funding crunch as it races to bring new power [&hel
SA energy minister gives update on national energy plans
ESI Africa 12 May 2016 On Wednesday, South African Energy Minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson mooted the 2016 budget speech in Parliament, where she highlighted that Independent Power Producers’ (IPPs) capacity, under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPPP), is expected to
Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson: Energy Dept Budget Speech Vote 2016/17
Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson delivered the DoE’s 2016/7 Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday, 11 May 2016. To download a copy, click here
DoE tests market appetite for three new public-private solar parks
Engineering News – ONLINE 11 May 2016 The Department of Energy (DoE) indicated on Wednesday that it would canvass the appetite of independent power producers (IPPs) to develop, finance, construct and operate three new Northern Cape solar parks, of between 400 MW and 700 MW in size, in partnership wi
Tallying the benefits of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Power Producer’s Procurement Programme
Engineering News – ONLINE 09 May 2016 As energy investors eagerly await announcements of the preferred bidders in the latest round of South Africa’s renewable IPP programme – the so-called expedited bid window – it is worth reflecting on the successes of the country’s Renewable Energy Po
Enel’s 82.5 MW Paleisheuwel solar plant connected to the grid
Engineering News 05 May 2016 The South African unit Enel Green Power, itself a subsidiary of Italian energy group Enel, reports that its 82.5 MW Paleisheuwel photovoltaic (PV) power plant has been connected to the grid. Located in the Western Cape, the plant is Enel Green Power’s largest power plant cur
Eskom claims ‘steady’ recovery in energy availability factor
Engineering News 05 May 2016 State-owned electricity utility Eskom this week claimed that there had been a steady improvement in the energy availability factor (EAF) at its power stations, reporting “preliminary figures” indicating an EAF of 76.37% from the start of its financial year to May 3, 2016.