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
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.
Secure solar solution to provide sustainable off-grid energy
The South African government and several partners have launched the new-generation, modular solar solution the PowerTurtle at the off-grid Pheasant Folly Primary school in Palm Ridge, in Gauteng earlier this month. The system allows government to provide sustainable and secure energy solutions for rural
The energy paradigm is shifting
BD Live 28 April 2016 For once, Eskom has done something right. Its decision to investigate the feasibility of extending the life of ageing power stations rather than automatically decommissioning them at the end of their life cycle could be the lifeline SA needs to develop a truly cost-effective and sus
