Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says government is in the process of gazetting a revised schedule of the Electricity Regulation Act which will allow mining companies to generate their own energy for self-use. Addressing the 26th Annual Investing in Africa Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Monday morning, Mantashe said this was one of the measures being considered to address electricity supply challenges. This comes as the Eskom announced … [Read more...] about Government mulls allowing energy generation for self-use
renewable energy
Understanding section 12B: renewable energy tax allowances
South Africa has an abundance of natural resources, and with the right fiscal incentives for the production of renewable energy, we could become a key producer of renewable energy for the continent. The National Treasury has revisited the section 12B allowance as part of its initiatives to encourage investment in cleaner energy, but what does it actually mean? Here, Genergy unpacks the Act. How the allowance works Section 12B of the Income Tax Act (No. 58 of 1962), provides for a capital … [Read more...] about Understanding section 12B: renewable energy tax allowances
Why business leaders need to step up in the fight to tackle climate change
According to the WWF, we are the first generation to know we are destroying our planet and the last one that can do anything about it. Prince Charles in his role as founder and Patron of Business in the Community asked business leaders at the organisation’s Waste to Wealth Summit to use their collective resource and skills to help double the UK’s resource productivity by 2030. And as a country with abundant resources, South Africa can also heed the Prince’s call. Hearing the Prince’s talk … [Read more...] about Why business leaders need to step up in the fight to tackle climate change
The true cost of the Eskom standoff
Eskom’s announcement in July 2016 that it would not sign any independent power producers onto the South African power grid threw a booming renewables sector into disarray. JCRA, a leading financial risk consultancy, have today released a paper in partnership with the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr) looking at the Eskom dilemma and its cost to the South African economy. [Download the Paper - The Eskom Standoff and South African Renewables - from Straton Solar] By … [Read more...] about The true cost of the Eskom standoff
Consumers punished by Eskoms ‘bad planning’
The big question is whether the South African economy and South Africans are ready for another unaffordable electricity increase at this point, Nhlanhla Ngidi, responsible for energy and electricity matters at the SA Local Government Association (Salga), said on Monday. He addressed a panel of the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa). Nersa heard an application by Eskom for a R22.8bn adjustment for its 2013/2014 financial year. If this is granted, it is expected that it would lead to a 16% … [Read more...] about Consumers punished by Eskoms ‘bad planning’
NERSA’s Renewable Energy Meetings head for Port Elizabeth
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) will hold public hearings on the renewable energy power plant license applications next week. The public hearings will kick off on Tuesday, in Kimberly, in the Northern Cape. The hearings will then move to the Western Cape on Wednesday followed by Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape on Thursday. The public hearings will close in Gauteng at NERSA's offices in Pretoria on Friday. On 26 May 2014, the Department of Energy released a … [Read more...] about NERSA’s Renewable Energy Meetings head for Port Elizabeth
One more reason to be proud of PE’s wind
Wind energy is around half of all renewable energy currently produced in South Africa. As we lurch from one day of load shedding to the next, the sector is showing no sign of losing speed, rather the opposite. Johan van den Berg, CEO of the SA Wind Energy Association, told News24 in an interview that 2011 was the year government formally introduced it into the energy sector, with commercial wind farm construction beginning in 2013. Today, wind power contributed around 740 megawatts (MW) of … [Read more...] about One more reason to be proud of PE’s wind
Magnetic Storm reduces grid reliance
With ever increasing pressure on the grid, Magnetic Storm has invested R170 000 in its first phase of going green: a 7kw hybrid system which offers grid tie and battery backup for essential circuits such as servers, desktop computers and lights during power outages. The installation is projected to generate 6,876kWhr per annum, saving R11,614 in year one if electricity prices remain at R1.49/unit. “We know events can use up a lot of power, and be a drain on the grid, which is why we want … [Read more...] about Magnetic Storm reduces grid reliance
More incentives to go green in #Budget2015
On top of tumbling prices for renewable energy components and amidst a relatively slow uptake by business and individuals government has announced a number of enhancements to incentives enabling business to make greater use of renewable energy: An increased energy saving tax incentive. Planned enhancements to an already generous accelerated depreciation of renewable energy installations. High Energy Users to be slapped with a levy. What was not mentioned in the Budget was the … [Read more...] about More incentives to go green in #Budget2015
Rainbow Warrior Public Viewing Time
The Greenpeace vessel, Rainbow Warrior, docked in the Port of Port Elizabeth on Friday morning at 09h00. She will be in Port Elizabeth until 23 February. The vessel will be open for public viewing on Sunday, 22 February 2015 from 10h00 to 15h00. Rainbow Warrior is docked at Berth 100 - Car Terminal. The public are encouraged to use the Jetty Street entrance to gain access to the Port for viewing. The Rainbow Warrior is the third ship of that name to sail for Greenpeace, and the … [Read more...] about Rainbow Warrior Public Viewing Time
Loan rebates offered for renewable energy projects
Commercial businesses in South Africa who qualify for a loan of up to R100 million to fund energy efficiency or renewable energy specific projects amy also qualify for a loan rebate from Absa, who have teamed up with the French Development Agency (AFD) to offer this incentive. The rebate forms up to 7% of the loan amount and will allow clients to use the funds to reduce their loan amount. Renewable energy projects that may qualify for funding include bio-gas, solar power, wind power and solar … [Read more...] about Loan rebates offered for renewable energy projects
Short courses in renewable energy
In line with international trends to embrace the benefits of renewable energy, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) is offering four short courses on alternative energy. NMMU, in conjunction with the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University, has compiled a suite of short courses to educate individuals in the field of renewable energy. Each of the four courses will be offered intensively over a five-day period and is accredited by the … [Read more...] about Short courses in renewable energy
All systems go for local wind farm
The Directors and Shareholders of the Metrowind Van Stadens (MWVS) wind farm, announced today that on the 2nd of February 2014 the Facility Completion milestone was achieved and the 27MW wind farm commenced commercial operations. The facility has been supplying electrical power to the regional grid since late November 2013. MWVS wind farm will sell renewable energy to ESKOM for the next twenty years in accordance with the terms of the Power Purchase Agreement concluded between the parties in … [Read more...] about All systems go for local wind farm
South Africa on track to become one of the fastest-growing Renewable Energy Markets worldwide
The potential for renewable energy (RE) generation in South Africa is high, and the successful execution of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP) has powered the growth of the RE industry in the country. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, South Africa Renewable Energy Project Tracker, finds that the REIPPP aims to generate 3,725 megawatt of the country's total electricity from renewable sources. RE accounted for less than one percent of the energy mix … [Read more...] about South Africa on track to become one of the fastest-growing Renewable Energy Markets worldwide
PE company making big news in SA renewable energy sector
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has approved for State incentives, the Kestrel e400nb. South Africa’s only small wind turbine manufacturer, Kestrel, has the only turbine verified by design to be a class one small-wind turbine and to pass the testing. Approved by the Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC), US homeowners and businesses benefit from Feed-In Tariff schemes to incentivise renewable energy installations. The leading small wind turbine from Kestrel can produce … [Read more...] about PE company making big news in SA renewable energy sector
