Mzansi turns over a renewable leaf
Mail & Guardian 25 October 2013 If it sticks to its plans, SA will be positioned to expand its power further across Africa. South Africa could become one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets in the world, according to a recent study. This is not bad for a country that in 2011 had almost no
3 Reasons Germans are Going Renewable 'At All Costs'
Renewable Energy World.COM 23 October 2013 Germany is racing past 20 percent renewable energy on its electricity grid, but news stories stridently warn that this new wind and solar power is costing “billions.” But often left out (or buried far from the lede) is the overwhelming popularity of t
Solar-powered school boasts top marks
Business Day LIVE 24 October 2013 SOUTH Korean electronics giant Samsung has launched its ‘digital village’ concept in South Africa consisting of a solar powered school with internet, a solar-powered non-diesel ‘generator’ that uses no fossil fuels and a ‘telemedical’ c
Time to Consider Solar Net Metering Alternatives: Storage
Renewable Energy World.COM 21 October 2013 The media has recently been full of stories about electric utilities being nervous and down right reactionary to adding solar (and wind) on the electric grid. On October 15th, The Huffington Post’s story on the Hawaii Electric Company (HECO) reported, “hundre
Construction sector facing problems: Gigaba
Times Live 17 October 2013 The South African construction industry is confronted with major delivery problems, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Wednesday. “The delays and disruptions, poor site management, time and cost variations, skills and competence issues… and lack of worker
Solar energy to undercut coal in South Africa: Frost & Sullivan
PV Tech 17 October 2013 Electricity from solar power could be the cheapest in South Africa by 2020, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan. The study, commissioned by the South Africa Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), found that state utility Eskom will be selling coal-fired electrici
8th Southern African Energy Efficiency Convention (2013SAEEC)
This two-day convention will feature over 70 speakers, 50 exhibitors and 500 delegates and annually brings together stakeholders in the energy efficiency sector including equipment suppliers, consulting engineers, energy service companies, end-users of energy, utilities and researchers. Topics covered
France to lend €100m to Eskom for solar power
Engineering News – ONLINE 14 October 2013 France will lend €100-million to South African state power utility Eskom to help it finance solar power projects in Africa’s largest economy, according to a communique obtained by Reuters on Monday. The deal will be signed as a part of a summit
Standard Bank backing another R10bn worth of SA renewables projects
Engineering News – ONLINE 14 October 2013 Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking reports that it is backing projects worth R10-billion as part of South Africa’s third renewable-energy bidding round, which is currently in the final stages of adjudication. During the first bidding round,
S&P’s says Eskom will need another R50bn injection to close funding gap
Engineering News – ONLINE 14 October 2013 Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) has downgraded Eskom’s standalone credit profile (SACP) to ‘b-‘ from ‘b’ and has indicated that it believes the utility will require additional funding of about R50-billion to clo