SA’s energy vision for 2030: Jeff Radebe releases the details in long-awaited IRP 

The long-awaited Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) envisages the energy mix in 2030 will consist of almost half coal power, with gas and wind being the next most important contributors. 

In 2030 the government envisages the energy mix will consist of 34 000 MW of coal, representing 46% of installed capacity; 11 930 MW of gas, or 16% of installed capacity; 11 442 MW of wind, or 15% of installed capacity; 7 958 MW of photovoltaic (PV, or solar); 696MW of hydropower, or 6% of installed capacity. 

The balance will consist of pump storage, concentrated solar power (CSP) and nuclear power.

The draft IRP does not include additional nuclear power apart from the 2.5% installed capacity provided by the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

Business Day, 27 August 2018

Renewables secures sustainable future in IRP 2018

The IRP identifies the country’s energy needs until 2030, thereafter detailed technical analysis will be executed in order to identify the country’s additional energy requirements post 2030, up until 2050.

Hebren James, South Africa Country Director of K2 Management, says: “The Integrated Resource Plan recognises the global energy transition and mass movement towards clean, affordable and efficient energy. Renewables are playing a vital role in helping countries meet maturing energy needs."

ESI Africa, 28 August 2018 

AIIM invests in 800 MW of clean power

African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) has acquired stakes in nine new solar and wind power plants in South Africa. When all nine power facilities are fully operational, expected at the end of 2020, they will provide an additional 800 MW of renewable energy capacity into South Africa’s national power grid.

The power facilities will deliver about 2 425 GWh annually, preventing around 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions from traditional fossil fuel power plants per annum. When operating at full capacity, they are expected to supply enough green electricity to power about 522 730 medium sized South African homes.

ESI Africa, 22 August 2018 

Nuclear to get short end in energy mix 

The broad strokes of SA’s long awaited Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) – the government’s long-term energy plan – which was presented to business and labour in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) on 24 August 2018, does not indicate a need for any new nuclear power to be added to the grid and envisages an overall reduction in coal-generated energy by 2030.

The plan is favourably disposed towards procuring more renewable energy and co-generated energy, which will lead to greater competition in the electricity sector.

Business Day, 27 August 2018 

Zambia: Construction commences for Ngonye solar plant

The Enel Group’s global renewable energies division, Enel Green Power, has started the construction of the 34 MW Ngonye solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, marking its first power plant in Zambia. 

Once fully up and running, the facility is expected to produce around 70 GWh per year, avoiding the annual emission of over 45 000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

ESI Africa, 24 August 2018

Biogas plant demonstrates potential using new tech

Renewable-energy and waste disposal solutions provider Global Energy has constructed a fully operational biogas demonstration plant for the generation of electricity.

The plant, situated on a cucumber, tomato and herb farm between the towns of Malmesbury and Wellington, in the Western Cape, uses discarded organic produce from the farm as feedstock for the biodigester and currently processes 2.5 t/d of organic waste and is fully scalable up to 1 MW.

Engineering News, 17 August 2018 

Namibia commissions US$21m solar power plants

Namibia recently welcomed the official opening of two solar power plants this week with a total build cost of US$21 million. Ejuva One and Ejuva Two, located side by side, were constructed and managed as one project feeding an estimated 25.8 GWh per annum into Namibia’s national grid.

It is among the 14 renewable energy projects commissioned under the interim Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) programme.

ESI Africa, 24 August 2018 

Ethiopia’s Reppie waste-to-power plant now operational

President Mulatu Teshome recently unveiled the Reppie waste-to-power plant located on the site of Koshe, Ethiopia’s largest rubbish dump. Power generated will supply the capital city with 30% household electricity needs whilst conforming to global standards on air emissions.

According to Engineer Samuel Zemichael, "It will generate 185 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, which is connected to the national grid. This plant is Africa’s first major waste-to-energy plant and could serve as a benchmark for the region and the continent waste management, which requires revolutionary methods."

ESI Africa, 22 August 2018 

Nigeria: Fashola reveals plans to concession six hydro dams

Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola revealed that the federal government has signed treaties to concession six hydro dams to private operators under a build, operate and transfer scheme.

“These are government-led initiatives based on the rural electrification plan approved by the President in 2016 to provide access to power for rural dwellers and vulnerable members of our society,” he explained.

ESI Africa, 15 August 2018 

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

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