In the news
Roundup of energy and electricity news and developments in South Africa
19 August to 1 September 2024
1. Bidders announced for the second IPP Office energy storage procurement round.
2. Eskom summer outlook – the good news and the concerns.
3. National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) shifts focus with new workstreams.
4. Division of responsibilities between Ministers Ramokgopa and Mantashe.
5. Apparent lack of cohesion between the Electricity Regulator and the NERSA board.
6. New Electricity Regulation Act in limbo as SALGA and munics consider legal action.
5 August to 18 August 2024
1. Procurement of 2500 MW of new nuclear power in South Africa deferred again.
2. Electricity Regulation Amendment Act signed into law.
3. South Africa’s draft gas master plan will require major overhaul before finalisation.
4. Solar PV in Bid Window 7 of the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme massively oversubscribed.
22 July to 4 August 2024
1. Climate Change Act – signed into law, but not yet operational
2. Regulator rejects preferential grid access for public sector renewable energy procurements
3. Sasol to appeal judgement declaring energy regulator’s gas pricing methodology unlawful
4. Scandal involving refurbishment of PetroSA’s offshore gas assets for Mossel Bay
5. Gas condensate discoveries off the southern Cape coast abandoned by TotalEnergies
6. Eskom had sufficient generation reserve capacity to place 2000 MW into “cold reserve”
7. Energy poverty and inequality prompts major review of tariffs, pricing and subsidies
8 July to 21 July 2024
1. Government commits to ultra-aggressive approach to rollout of renewable energy
2. Minister vows to confront local government electricity service delivery failures head on
3. Largest wheeling project in South Africa commissioned, with others in the wings
4. Shock opposition by Eskom Distribution to licencing of electricity traders by NERSA
5. Further electricity price increases forecast as Eskom losses continue
6. Government approves life-extension, and plans new nuclear amidst growing opposition
24 June to 7 July 2024
1. Separation of DMRE into DMPR and DEE, and appointment of ministers
2. TotalEnergies may exit gas projects off the southern coast of South Africa
3. NERSA approves municipal electriciy price increases for 1 July 2024
4. Outrage grows at City Power R230 fixed charge for prepaid electricity customers
5. Eskom celebrates 100 days with no loadshedding
6. 10% import duty applied to solar PV modules offset by 10% rebate scheme