Kibo provides update on four key projects

JSE- and Aim-listed Kibo Energy on Monday confirmed that it is developing four key projects – two thermal coal power projects, in Botswana and Mozambique; a UK-focused flexible energy portfolio; and an advanced coal-to-power project, in Tanzania – in parallel.

The projects fall in line with the company's strategy to progress a diverse portfolio of advanced power generation and mining projects in sub-Saharan Africa and the UK through international relationships with key development partners.

Engineering News, 25 March 2019

Low carbon transition could hold US$124bn risk for South Africa

Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) Energy Finance on Tuesday released its latest report, which looks at the impact of a low carbon transition on South Africa.

CPI found that the negative impact on South Africa of a global low-carbon transition over the period of its analysis from 2013 to 2035 could be US$124 billion in present value terms.

Engineering News, 26 March 2019

High Court dismisses bid by coal transporters to interdict renewables projects

A court application to have 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed between Eskom and 26 independent power producers (IPPs) in 2018 declare null and void has been dismissed with costs.

The legal challenge was initiated last year by the Coal Transporters Forum, a voluntary association of 50 companies that transport coal to Eskom power stations. The respondents to the application included Eskom, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, Energy Minister Jeff Radebe and more than 30 IPPs.

Engineering News, 26 March 2019

Radebe willing to use his legislative powers to unlock short-term private power projects

Energy Minister Jeff Radebe signalled his willingness on Tuesday to use his legislative powers to facilitate the introduction of private electricity supply alternatives that could reduce the threat of load-shedding by Eskom in the short- to medium-term.

Addressing the DLO Africa Power Roundtable Conference in Johannesburg, Radebe said he would consider attaching a short-term action plan to the longer-term generation blueprint that would be provided by the updated Integrated Resource Plan, which is currently under consideration by the social partners at the National Economic Development and Labour Council.

Engineering News, 26 March 2019

Mining body says 90 000 jobs at risk from electricity price hikes

The Minerals Council South Africa has said that as many as 90 000 jobs in the country's mining sector could be at risk "solely as a result" of recent electricity tariff increases.

"Given the mining sector's dependency ratio of 10 people supported by each mining job, the potential socio-economic implications for the country are dire," the industry body said in a presentation on the impact of the electricity prices hikes.

Engineering News, 26 March 2019

Global energy demand hits highest record by far in 2018

Energy demand worldwide grew by 2.3% last year, its fastest pace this decade, an exceptional performance driven by a robust global economy and stronger heating and cooling needs in some regions.

These findings are part of the International Energy Agency's latest assessment of global energy consumption and energy-related CO2 emissions for 2018.

ESI Africa, 26 March 2019

Bushveld Energy commissions first VFRB project

Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals on Wednesday announced that its 84%-owned subsidiary Bushveld Energy had commissioned a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) project with Eskom, including site acceptance testing.

At completion, the unit will have a peak output of 450 kWh.

Engineering News, 27 March 2019

Africa is not ready for the renewable energy revolution

The global shift from carbon intensive to renewable, sustainable energy is slowing down. This is according to the World Economic Forum's 2019 Fostering Effective Energy Transition report.

This ranks the "readiness for energy transition" of 115 countries globally, benchmarking their energy systems according to security and access, economic development and growth, and environmental sustainability.

While renewables are generally becoming a bigger part of the energy mix, progress is falling short of meeting emission reduction goals.

Nurmara, 27 March 2019

City of Johannesburg intent on using licence to buy power from independent producer

Eskom has barred the City of Johannesburg from increasing its energy capacity despite having a licence to purchase power generation from other producers, mayor Herman Mashaba told journalists on Tuesday.

Mashaba was speaking at a Democratic Alliance media briefing, which party leader Mmusi Maimane held in Johannesburg.

Engineering News, 27 March 2019

DRC: Green mini-grid programme to reduce energy poverty

The African Development Bank's board has approved a US$20-million facility to the Democratic Republic of Congo, to support renewable-based, mini-grid solutions to the off-grid cities of Isiro, Bumba and Genema.

According to the development bank, the green mini-grid programme will serve as the pilot to an innovative private-led electrification approach to deploy renewable-based mini-grid solutions in the central African nation.

ESI Africa, 28 March 2019

Built environment consumes 33% of global energy

Buildings have a massive impact on the environment, with both their construction and use contributing significantly to environmental issues faced today.

According to research by Saint-Gobain, the built environment globally is responsible for 33% of energy consumption, 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, 40% of solid waste streams (in developed countries) and 40% of raw material consumption.

ESI Africa, 28 March 2019

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