Weekly projects and energy updates in South Africa
Moz plant illustrates rapid commissioning potential of gas engines
Electricity generation using gas as a fuel has great potential to meet the growing needs of many African countries, especially with a peaking-plant application, according to Cape Town-based engineering firm MTU South Africa, a subsidiary of UK-based engines, propulsion systems and distributed power generation plant manufacturer Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
Research suggests that the capacity to supply electricity to cities across the continent will rise from 90 GW in 2012 to 380 GW by 2040. This is further exacerbated by the belief that half of the global population growth is expected to occur in Africa in the next 20 years.
Engineering News, 14 April 2017
DRC explores power imports from South Africa
The Democratic Republic of Congo Chamber of Commerce said this week that they are looking at South Africa for power imports to help its struggling mining sector.
With low dam levels affecting reliable power supply, output in the continent's top copper producer is dwindling, reports Engineering News.
ESI Africa, 13 April 2017
Solar industry registers quality and safety training programme
Fifteen representatives from tertiary learning institutions in South Africa attended the first workshop – Inform the Trainer – at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre last month.
These representatives will train solar photovoltaic technicians to install solar panels to industry-recognised guidelines and international best practice.
Engineering News, 13 April 2017
Solar body urges Energy Minister to provide revised PPA signing date
The South African Solar Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) expressed confidence on Tuesday that the latest delay in the signing of power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 37 renewable-energy projects procured in 2015 would be “short-term” in nature. However, it urged newly appointed Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to urgently provide the industry with a revised signing date so as to reduce the prevailing uncertainty in the industry.
SAPVIA was responding to confirmation that the 11 April deadline for the conclusion of the PPAs had been postponed to enable Kubayi to become fully informed on the progress made under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and to ensure “concurrence” between herself and Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown.
Engineering News, 11 April 2017
Confidence hit as renewable energy programme signing delayed again
Confidence in the previously successful renewable energy programme has taken another knock after the renewable-energy procurement office again postponed the signing of agreements with successful bidders in the past two rounds.
The signing ceremony, which will unlock billions of rand in funding for the construction of about 50 projects in round four and for projects of 1-5 MW was due to take place on Tuesday. Financial close for these projects has been awaited for about two years.
Business Day, 11 April 2017
NECSA sketches time frame for nuclear build contracts
A request for proposals to build reactors could go out as early as June, as five potential suppliers emerge as leading candidates, the head of the Nuclear Energy Corporation of SA says.
Companies from South Korea, France, China, Russia and Japan "are ahead of everyone else" in terms of technology and what they can offer, Necsa CEO Phumzile Tshelane said in an interview in Tokyo.
Eskom is responsible for the process to hire developers for the nuclear power plants, and South Africa is looking for reactors that are proven, but not dated, Tshelane said.
Business Day, 11 April 2017
The above reflects a summary of certain news articles published during the preceding week.
