Mining&Energy
$1.1-Million Foreign Investment Boosts Solar Energy Manufacturing in South Africa
Sourced from Saur Energy. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_8fb.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_8fb.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) reports that it has welcomed the investment decision by Italian-based firm Enertronica Santerno to expand its manufacturing activities in South Africa. SAPVIA is the industry body representing solar PV (photovoltaics) in South Africa. The Italian firm, which has been an active player in South Africa over the past 10 years, will be investing up to R17-million ($1.1-million) to enhance the capability of manufacturing inverters for solar photovoltaic applications, including storage solutions, with a maximum initial production capacity of more than 500 MW per year, gradually ramping up to higher ca...
South African Emergency Powership Deal Scrapped Due to Environmental Concerns
Image sourced from Karpowership SA. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_964.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_964.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Karpowership has been refused environmental approvals for three gas-to-power projects in South Africa. Approvals were blocked by the country’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment for reasons including that it did not comply with public participation rules. The Turkish company gained significant media attention after it was announced the winner in a 2000 megawatt (MW) government emergency power tender designed to help ease the massive strain on South Africa’s embattled power utility Eskom and lessen the impact of the rolling blackouts the country faces every year. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_349.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.td...
New Renewables Offer Energy Security for SA’s Beleaguered Economy
Sourced from Saur Energy. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_bb6.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_bb6.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } In a bold move last year, the South African government launched an emergency energy procurement plan with a view to relieve the current energy crisis and limit load-shedding. The shortfalls are currently partially alleviated, however at great expense, as there is extensive use of diesel-based open cycle gas turbines. Such fossil-fuel-based contingencies undermine our ability to reduce carbon emissions, curb global warming, and achieve sustainable development. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_b0f.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_b0f.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Dubbed the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (RMIPPPP), t...
How Nigeria’s Latest Gas-Related Power Crisis Could Have Been Avoided
Image sourced from the Electricity Hub. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_cc8.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_cc8.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } On 28 May 2021, Nigeria’s national power generation dropped to 3,059 MW and for the subsequent seven days remained below 4,000 MW, 6% below-average production. Low pressure on the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) left several gas turbine power plants with an insufficient gas supply, leading to plant shutdowns and widespread power blackouts. Unlike gas turbine power plants, gas engine power plants have the flexibility to function during low gas pressure events. This flexibility significantly lowers power production risk, a supreme advantage in the context of gas supply disruptions and systemic power shortages. Power cuts in Nigeria are ...
SA President Ramaphosa Finally Gives Greenlight for Private Companies to Boost Country’s Power Grid
Image sourced from SAFA /* custom css */ .tdi_4_c82.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_c82.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the SA government will finally lift the threshold for embedded generating electricity capacity from 1 MW to 100 MW in South Africa. This move will allow private households and businesses to self-generate power on a larger scale. Ramaphosa says that the increase in embedded generating capacity threshold is vital in creating new ambitious, bold and urgent responses to aid with the country’s ongoing energy crisis. “We are today announcing a significant new step in further reforming our electricity sector towards achieving a stable and secure supply of energy,” the President says. /* custom css */ .tdi...
Eskom Moves Loadshedding to Weekend Allowing SA Govt to Pass Bill on Friday
Image sourced from International Atomic Energy Agency /* custom css */ .tdi_4_e33.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_e33.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Embattled South African power utility Eskom is suspending load-shedding on Friday from 12:00 to 17:00 in order for the country’s parliament to pass an Appropriation Bill. In order for the power utility to make up reserves it will use to suspend the shedding on Friday, communities across the country will have to face load-shedding through the weekend. #PowerAlert1 In order to allow parliament to pass the Appropriation Bill, Stage 2 loadshedding will be suspended from 12:00 to 17:00 today@News24 @SABCNews @NewzroomAfrika @eNCA @IOL @ewnupdates @SundayTimesZA @SowetanLIVE @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/d4naqeHG7B — Eskom Hld SOC Ltd...
Prepaid Electricity Consumption: The Connection Section
Prepaid electricity consumption is a sensible option for many people, under a number of different circumstances: for the home or business owner, for the tenant, for the owner of an Airbnb property, for example. But how do you know what to look for when you first set out to share in the benefits offered by prepaid electricity consumption? Your metering company should be rock-solid A prepaid electricity sub-meter is a device that helps users control and regulate the usage of electricity. It works much like a prepaid cellphone, whereby you pay upfront before you use it, therefore eliminating large unexpected monthly bills. And as with your cellphone service, you want to know that you are signing up with a good provider. Here are some points to ponder when choosing your electricity sub-meterin...
9 Ways to Save Electricity in South Africa
Image sourced from Brand South Africa In South Africa, load shedding is expected to continue as power demand exceeds supply and more downtime is needed for overdue maintenance of the system. It is estimated that load shedding could have cost South Africa as much as R338 billion over the past 10 years, according to a report from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). This includes loss of production, where most businesses use electricity for machinery, technology and light to complete the day’s work. To help keep the lights on, here are nine thoughts on how to save electricity: Turn off unnecessary lights and switch to energy-saving LED light bulbs. Additionally, use natural light wherever possible. Take shorter showers – save water as well as electricity. Turn the hot w...
Solarise Africa Expands Footprint to Rwanda, Zambia and Uganda
Sourced from Saur Energy. Solarise Africa is set to expand to three new countries in Africa after signing a partnership agreement with Centennial Generating Co. This partnership will see the Pan-African energy leasing company add seven projects in Rwanda, spread across education, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture sectors, two additional projects in Zambia and one upcoming project in Uganda, to the Solarise Africa portfolio. The Solarise team is a customer-centric, responsive and predictable partner, which aligns with our company’s approach to working with customers”, says David John Frenkil, Founder and MD of Centennial. “By partnering with Solarise, we are offering both battery energy storage and solar projects to commercial and industrial facilities. These p...
Are there Signs of the Sudan Oil Industry Recovering?
IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-industrial-machine-during-golden-hour-162568/ Sudan was once the largest country in Africa before it was split into two countries in 2011, geographically redefining the state as Sudan (or North Sudan) and South Sudan. The geographical region where both countries lie has rich oil reserves. However, it is also a region hurting from the inside due to years of wars and internal conflicts. With both countries being dependent on oil production to support their economic stability and growth, the future development of countries lies in its oil industry performance. With conflicts, economic struggles, and the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the Sudan region, are there signs of the Sudan oil industry recovering? Read on as we explore some promising signs. ...
How Alternative Power Solutions could Mitigate Load Shedding
Sourced from the South African. South Africa continues to feel the effects of load shedding, resulting in a decrease in productivity and disruption to business operations. Eskom announced earlier this year that load shedding is expected to continue into 2021 as power demand exceeds supply and more downtime is needed for overdue maintenance of the system. Some of the effects of load shedding include: Damage to electronics: the surge of electricity when the power is returned upsets the steady voltage flow in the electrical system. Loss of production: where most businesses use electricity for machinery, technology and light to complete the day’s work, loss of electrical power means that the day’s target cannot be completed. Data loss: power outages can cause data loss and corruption. Thi...
The Key to Reshaping the Oil and Gas Industry — Huawei’s New ICT
The oil and gas industry is embracing digital transformation. As a traditional pillar of the energy sector, the oil and gas industry has always had an important part to play in the energy field. However, these are challenging times. On one hand, the industry is subject to increasingly complex mining conditions and, with that, higher mining costs. On the other, it is faced with tumbling global oil prices that bring new challenges to all players in the field. In such circumstances, how can Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, cloud, and 5G technologies be used to increase efficiency while reducing costs? This is now the key concern of all oil companies. In sum, it is beyond doubt that the implementation of digital transformation has become a key factor determining the success of oil compa...
