WESSA has paid tribute to a wide range of outstanding environmental achievements with the presentation of the organisation’s 2017 Annual Awards. The Awards were presented at the organisation’s 91st AGM, hosted by WESSA’s KwaZulu-Natal Regional Membership at the Protea Hotel Durban Edward on Saturday. The WESSA Awards, which have been presented since 1974, enable WESSA to … [Read more...]
Engineering study dispels myths on limits to renewables in SA
A serious engineering study and report has dispelled the myths and propaganda peddled by fired former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and suspended Eskom acting CEO Matshela Koko on the limits and costs of accommodating significant levels of variable renewable energy capacity in the South African power grid. The study and associated report was prepared for the South African … [Read more...]
Power Purchase Agreements will be signed in October says energy minister
It is good news to the ears of Independent Power Producers that Eskom, will in October, sign the Power Purchase Agreements, Minister of Energy, Mmamoloko Kubayi announced today. This comes after stakeholder engagement between the Department of Energy and the Department of Public Enterprises. Eskom refused to sign the agreements in 2016, claiming that it had an over supply of … [Read more...]
Coal and nuclear lobbies threaten renewables in South Africa
South African power utility Eskom recently repeated that it will not conclude supply contracts with the developers of new renewable energy power stations. These developers were selected under a programme to facilitate private sector involvement in the building of medium-sized renewable energy power stations. The programme has won plaudits for its success in facilitating the … [Read more...]
Climate and water threatening Thabametsi coal plant still on the cards
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) could be giving the go-ahead for what will be one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensive coal-fired power stations, not only in South Africa, but in the world. Its GHG emissions are likely to be 60% higher than Eskom’s new Medupi and Kusile coal plants. This is apparent from the final climate change impact assessment … [Read more...]
The legal challenges of selling clean electricity directly to municipalities
Government needs to set the rules to favour renewable energy. The legal and regulatory framework forms the foundation for building a sustainable renewable energy infrastructure. In countries such as China, environmental issues have become the reasons for mass demonstrations. As a result, the Chinese government changed its plan for renewable energy and China is now experiencing … [Read more...]
Drought is the new normal, says Mayor De Lille
The following speech was delivered by the City of Cape Town’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille (top photograph), at the full Council meeting on 27 July 2017: I would like to welcome all councillors back from the mid-year recess. I trust that we are ready to continue taking service delivery to the next level. Let me start with the drought crisis and yes, despite the … [Read more...]
Health and water impacts of coal still missing from energy plans
The Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle campaign, [1] together with Greenpeace Africa, welcome the rigorous research undertaken by the energy unit of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). [2] This research has been described as a “comprehensive alternative” to the draft Integrated Resource Plan Base Case (IRP) published for comment by the … [Read more...]
New partnership aims to protect endangered birds from power lines
As South Africa’s electricity needs continue to grow, power lines and other accompanying electrical infrastructure are expanding daily. Eskom and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) formalised their long-standing relationship by entering into a partnership in 1996 to address the problem of wildlife interactions with electrical infrastructure in a systematic manner on a national … [Read more...]
Western Cape High Court sets aside all nuclear deals
It’s back to the drawing board for government, which has received a bloody nose in the Western Cape High Court where its nuclear procurement processes to date have been declared unlawful and set aside. Judge Lee Bozalek on Wednesday ruled in favour of the case brought by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) … [Read more...]
South Africa no longer leading the continent on renewable energy
Although South Africa is the country with the most potential “by far” in terms of its renewable energy programmes, it is stuck in a the “(Fitfully) Waking Giant” category, financial services provider Fieldstone Africa said in its first renewables index for the year. When the Fieldstone Africa Renewables Index (FARI) was introduced, South Africa was the leading country on the … [Read more...]
SA’s draft energy plans must respect constitutional rights
On the eve of the deadline for comments on the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Energy, South Africa was struck by the highly disruptive and sinister Cabinet Reshuffle announced by the Presidency. The gutting of principle and expertise in key Ministries has direct implications for the energy and resource planning process underway. There is now a clear divide between those … [Read more...]
Renewables can create 130,000 jobs and promote industrial development
When we are faced with adversity, it is always easy to look for scapegoats and blame others for our misfortunes. The complication with wrongly blaming others is that it does not alleviate anyone’s plight and, most importantly, it prevents people from turning their setbacks into comebacks. It is how we react to challenges that determines whether we overcome them or wilt under … [Read more...]
