Five of South Africa’s largest environmental justice organisations have come out strongly against Eskom’s further round of multiple applications to postpone compliance with air pollution standards. Allowing Eskom to continue with its pollution will mean that at least 2 200 people in affected areas will die premature deaths every year as a result of exposure to this … [Read more...]
Understanding the implications of SA’s coal phase-out plan
South Africa is highly coal and energy intensive, and has an economy characterised by extremely high levels of inequality and poverty (with more than half of the population living in poverty). In the long run, sustainable growth and development in South Africa will depend crucially on the transition away from a coal-intensive energy system and economy. This study has … [Read more...]
NGOs call for a tougher Climate Change Bill
In its formal response to the Department of Environmental Affairs’ proposed Climate Change Bill, the Life After Coal Campaign has called for a far more robust and proactive Bill. Life After Coal is a joint campaign of non-profit environmental justice organisations groundWork, Earthlife Africa and the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER). “While we applaud the Department for … [Read more...]
Oppose these mining applications and defend your rights to a healthy environment
Eskom has once again announced that it will not meet pollution standards for 14 of its coal power stations. Although Eskom has already been given permission to postpone its compliance with the Air Quality Act’s minimum emission standards, and despite overwhelming evidence of the devastating health impacts of its emissions, it now plans to ask the Department of Environmental … [Read more...]
Greenpeace slams China over R33.7bn Eskom loan
Environmental activist group Greenpeace is at odds with China after it awarded Eskom a $2.5 billion (R33.7 billion) loan to complete the coal-fired Kusile Power Station near Witbank in Mpumalanga province. On Tuesday, Eskom signed a loan agreement with the China Development Bank in Pretoria. The power utility says the facility will form part of the funding of Eskom's build … [Read more...]
The future of coal in SA’s power generation mix
From the earliest days of the Brakpan and Vereeniging power stations, and through the years of growth and expansion of electricity supply to the current fleet of Eskom power stations, coal has formed the mainstay of primary energy for electricity generation, accounting for some 85% of electricity used in South Africa today. The techno-economic paradigm of coal-fired power … [Read more...]
New coal power will cost SA billions
A study by the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Energy Research Centre (ERC) has revealed that newly built coal power plants will add billions to South Africa’s power bill over the course of their lifetime, and force cheaper and cleaner renewable-energy alternatives out of the system for years to come. The report, An assessment of new coal plants in South Africa’s electricity … [Read more...]
South Africa to release new-look renewables bid window in November
Energy Minister Jeff Radebe announced on Friday that South Africa would launch a fifth Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) bid window in November with the aim of procuring a further 1 800 MW of renewable energy from independent power producers (IPPs). Addressing energy stakeholders in Johannesburg on Friday Radebe said the auction … [Read more...]
New renewable energy round may rake in R50bn in investment
The renewable energy industry on Friday got a shot in the arm when Energy Minister Jeff Radebe announced a new bid round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement programme. A few months ago, the future of the programme looked uncertain amid Eskom’s concerns about the cost of renewable energy and current electricity overcapacity. Eskom is the designated … [Read more...]
New coal plants not the way forward for drought-prone SA
Support for new coal-fired power plants like the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired power plant in Lephalale, Limpopo is fast drying up in a region where the Water and Sanitation Department rated water security as “high risk” because supply only just meets demand at present. Coal-fired power stations are responsible for half of South Africa’s carbon emissions, and in addition to … [Read more...]
Thoughts on the optimal electricity-generation mix for SA
I have been asked recently if I have changed my views on nuclear, coal and renewable energy. The answer is: Yes, my views have indeed changed. The world has changed, and change is always with us, but at an ever increasing pace. It would therefore be surprising if my views did not change too. Nuclear power in South Africa was constructed in the 1980s, and has served South … [Read more...]
Long-awaited renewable energy deals a milestone for SA sustainability
The power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed by State-owned power utility Eskom earlier this month ended three years of waiting and uncertainty and it is a significant step towards a truly sustainable energy vision for South Africa and Africa as a whole, says solar energy equipment supplier Juwi. “The signing [of PPAs for] 27 Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer … [Read more...]
Are solar panels worth it?
A few years ago, we thought that not having electricity in our homes for some parts of the day would become a regular occurrence as then Eskom CEO Tshediso Matona said load shedding was “here to stay”. Fast-forward to this year when we may not be suffering from load shedding at the moment, but the increase in electricity tariffs threaten many households that are already … [Read more...]
