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power crisislatest news & developments
Powered up: Chisamba solar plant supplies 100MW to the national grid. Photo: Supplied by Zesco

Zambia rethinks its energy future

The government plans to add 1 000MW of solar power to the national grid by 2027, with projects spread across the country

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgotsientsho Ramokgopa was among a delegation of government officials and business leaders who sought to drive home that message during an investment session at the African CEO Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Tuesday.

Ramokgopa hails progress on electricity but warns on Koeberg

The electricity minister says having both generating units at the nuclear power station offline would be a disaster

No time for smiles: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa’s electricity minister, second left, during a visit to the Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. Lethabo coal-fired power station in Vereeniging, South Africa, on Thursday, March 23, 2023.  (Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Editorial: The electricity ministry needs to get going

Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has a tough challenge ahead

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. (Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The perplexing electricity minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Is it too early to pass judgment on South Africa’s newest cabinet member, considering some of his remarks fly in the face of global and local green energy plans?

Eskom has announced a staggering loss of R23.9 billion for the financial year ended March 2023. (Waldo Swiegers/Getty Images)

Eskom: interdicting necessary tariff hike will be catastrophic for the country

Power utility says the high court challenge to the increase is flawed in law, and could mean more load-shedding, or worse, a credit default

The minimum lifetime cost to South Africa of the plastic produced in 2019 is a staggering R885,34-billion. (Raneen Sawafta/Reuters)

Waste to energy can reduce South Africa’s refuse and electricity problems – and the climate crisis

The country has more than 860 landfills or 48.5 million tonnes of waste of which 64% is hazardous 36% general waste, but only 34% is recycled

In Kenya, waste is collected twice a week and taken to a resource recovery facility, where the high temperatures in solar concentrators sterilise the waste. It is then turned into charcoal briquettes that are used as fuel. (Fredrik Lerneryd)

Power crisis undermines future of Heidelberg farmers

A proposed Gauteng coal mine is threatening 20 000 hectares of food-rich land and vital water sources.

The interim order granted by the court is subject to part B of Sakeliga’s application where they want Eskom’s decision to interrupt electricity supply to the town reviewed, set aside and declared unlawful. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Eskom threatens to turn off the lights in Free State towns

Three municipalities face power cuts over unpaid Eskom bills, while one acting municipal manager is sentenced to six months for contempt of court.

Nene skimps on details of assets sale

The minister proposes a temporary increase in the electricity levy but few believe it will end.

The wheels are coming off Eskom’s ‘skorokoro’

The power utility employed car analogies to explain that poor generator maintenance will be to blame for the lack of electricity in the near future.

The Medupi power station should be up and running by year end.

Eskom’s R7-billion profit not enough to power its future

Eskom has warned that its R7-billion profit will not be enough to meet its revenue shortfall over the next five years and keep the lights on.

Rosatom Russian nuclear power plants.

Nuclear urgency raises alarm

The state seems set on going the atomic route despite the huge financial implications.

The transfer of Eskom’s transmission assets appears to be a sticking point.

Eskom declares power emergency, threatens load shedding

Eskom has declared a power emergency as a result of severe constraints on the national power grid.

SA hit by power cuts after Eskom emergency

Power has been cut in various parts of the country on Thursday after Eskom declared an emergency.

Grid collapse? Insurers might not cover you.

Electricity restored to some areas, says City Power

Power has been restored in Lawley and Lenasia South, while other parts of Jo’burg could be left in the dark over the weekend, says City Power.

Ninety-eight percent of South Africa’s exports enter the US market duty- and quota-free under the Act.

India suffers second day of power failure

A massive power failure has hit India for the second day running as three regional power grids collapsed, blacking out more than half the country.

Ballooning debt cuts off the power

Ballooning debt cuts off the power

Zimbabwe finally realising the long awaited power crisis.

SA needs co-generation to avoid power crisis

SA needs to taps its 2 000MW co-generation potential to avoid another power crisis, an industry official said on Wednesday

Eskom uses tight power supply to defend tariff hike

Eskom said on Monday that power supply is still vulnerable and could worsen if it fails to get a tariff increase to fund its expansion.

Eskom awards R2,9bn Kusile works contract

Eskom said on Wednesday it has awarded a R2,9-billion contract for construction at its Kusile Power Station to a joint venture of SA companies.