Tag: power

The 94 megawatt wind farm north of Cape Town, West Coast One, is up and running. Costing R2.2-billion, it will offset an estimated 5.6 million tons of carbon dioxide over the next 20 years. The project is a partnership between Engie, Investec and Kagiso Tiso Holdings.

Nuclear power is definitely on the agenda for South Africa, and the country will begin its nuclear buy programme later this year. In preparation, it has started a training programme with a number of other countries, with a group of students already studying in China.

A solar-powered battery that allows home owners to go completely off-grid has been unveiled by South African-born and raised technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, who believes his company's latest innovation will help change the "entire energy infrastructure of the world".

Africa is "en route to a brighter future", with investment in mega projects surging to almost R4-trillion. In its Construction Trends report, Deloitte says it sees the opportunities surpassing the challenges facing the continent. Energy and power lead the field in number of projects undertaken.

The first of Medupi power station's six units was connected to South Africa's national power grid on Monday, marking "an exciting milestone" toward full commercial power of the Limpopo plant, Eskom boss Tshediso Matona said.

"One would be hard pressed to find a South African who does not have an opinion on the current power crisis," writes Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown. "Such robust debate is welcomed as part of our democracy. Nevertheless, there are times when the need for a nation to rise as one and work towards the greater good is paramount."

Government dismisses a hoax statement which is going viral alleging that Eskom has notified government in a special meeting that the main grid could possibly crash and plunge South Africa into darkness for over two weeks.

As we did when we successfully hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the people of South Africa must work together, saving electricity and planning for load shedding, to help us through the current power crisis, writes Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown.

The first unit at the coal-powered electricity station is close to first synchronisation, with the unit expected to be fully operational by winter - when power usage traditionally increases. Eskom has again turned to load shedding as electricity supply is constrained, highlighting the need for the new station.

Although constrained, South Africa's power system is expected to remain stable for the rest of the festive season, according to power utility Eskom, which will use the period for intensified maintenance.