Projects and energy updates from South Africa

Green energy bid targets black business

South Africa plans to invite bidders for additional renewable power projects amounting to ZAR50 billion of investment, which will help stimulate local and black-owned business.

These will be in addition to the 27 projects signed recently, which are expected to result in investments of about ZAR56 billion over the next few years.

According to Energy Minister Jeff Radebe, "The intention is to enhance local manufacturing to ensure investment and economic growth as well as the opportunity to encourage opportunities for black industrialists and the development of black independent power producers.” 

Business Day, 1 June 2018 

BBOXX secures a deal in DRC to deploy off-grid solar solutions

Next generation utility BBOXX has signed a pioneering deal with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which will bring renewable electricity to 2.5 million citizens in the DRC by 2020.

The government’s Energie pour Tous initiative, which puts off-grid solar at the heart of solving the significant energy access issue in the country, has made a significant stride forward with this collaboration.

The government programme aims to support national rural electrification through off-grid solar kits and mini-grids. 

ESI Africa, 7 June 2018 

Kibo Mining partners with Mozambique energy company

The multi-asset Africa-focused energy and resource company, Kibo Mining, has signed a Joint Venture Agreement (the Benga Power JV) with Mozambique energy company Termoeléctrica de Benga S.A. to construct and operate a 150-300 MW coal-fired power station.

The Benga Power JV is another step in advancing Kibo’s strategy to position the company as a leading regional energy player.

ESI Africa, 8 June 2018 

Interwaste uses innovation to convert waste into energy

Waste management company Interwaste is continually exploring processes and technologies to divert waste from landfills and has created a variety of methods to convert waste-to-energy.

Interwaste director for business development and marketing Kate Stubbs says, “Interwaste was the first company to start producing RDF in 2016 at its facility in Germiston. We take certain waste streams for which there is no recycling market or alternative use and we shred it into small sizes. This is then fed into production plants for power, steam or heat generation as a replacement for other fossil fuels, such as coal or gas.” 

Engineering News, 8 June 2018 

South Africa: IPP reaches financial close for two wind farms

Mainstream Renewable Power was awarded the contracts for two wind farms in South Africa with a combined capacity of 250 MW under the fourth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). 

The wind farms that have reached financial close are the 140 MW Kangnas Wind Farm, located near Springbok in the Northern Cape and the 110 MW Perdekraal East Wind Farm, located 80 km northeast of Ceres, in the Western Cape.

The farms represent an investment of approximately ZAR6.6 billion and are expected to commence construction June 2018.

ESI Africa, 8 June 2018 

The above reflects a summary of certain news articles published during the preceding week.

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