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power supplylatest news & developments
Dr. Kgosientsho Ramakgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy

Ramokgopa celebrates 5-year load-shedding milestone, but warns, ‘we are not out of the woods yet’

Ramokgopa said one of the targets for the financial year 2025 was to improve South Africa’s energy availability factor to 70%

The tourism industry is crucial for South Africa but it is being hamstrung by problems with its power, water, transport and waste infrastructure. (Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

How Eskom has left ‘smart cities’ in the dark

In its current trajectory, South Africa will struggle to sustain inclusive, livable, sustainable and competitive cities where people and businesses can thive

Complex transition: A man fishes across from the Wujing coal power station in Shanghai, China and electrical workers in a boat check solar panels at a photovoltaic power station built in a fishpond in Haian, China. Mzukisi Qobo writes that China calibrates its pragmatic use of coal with increasing investments in renewable energy rather than basing its future decisions purely on idealism. Photos: Johannes Eisele/AFP & AFP

South Africa must approach its energy transition pragmatically

A sensible climate policy must balance the imperative of decarbonisation, socioeconomic policy and security of supply considerations

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

Tesla’s Powerwall battery has an in-built inverter and can be easily retrofitted to any site with or without solar.

DPA trial on Tesla Powerwall a huge success

Distributed Power Africa chooses tesla powerwall for telecommunication towers trial of Tesla Powerwall in Africa a huge success

Electricity pylons at Eskom’s Koeberg nuclear power plant on January 9 2015 in Cape Town.

Can Eskom woo the big spenders?

The utility has an oversupply, which calls into question the need for a big nuclear spend.

The Eskom dinosaur is trying to fight off competition in a fast-changing world

South Africa can have a cheaper, flexible power grid by 2030 but competing self-interests mean it probably won’t, and the cost is likely crippling.

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: No blackouts expected over weekend

No rolling blackouts were expected over the weekend, power utility Eskom said on Saturday.

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)

Hello darkness, my old friend

The latest electricity blackouts could spur renewed interest in going off the grid for our power supply and reducing our reliance on Eskom.

The silo collapse at Majuba power station reveals the insecurity of the country’s electricity supply.

Eskom faces its battle of Majuba

The collapse at the Mpumalanga power station shows how difficult it is for Eskom to meet demand.

DA calls on govt to freeze Eskom executive salaries

DA MP Natasha Michael has said Minister Lynne Brown should freeze Eskom executives’ "exorbitant" pay until performance at the parastatal improves.

Eskom is going to be put under pressure when the platinum miners return to work.

The dark side to resuming mining

Eskom may not have enough power during peak hours for platinum mines in the Rustenburg area to resume operations when the strike is finally resolved.

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

Busa raises concerns about Eskom

Business Unity South Africa has urged Eskom to let it help find ways to improve the power parastatal’s sustainability and avoid a tariff hike.

Eskom is using nine million litres of diesel a day to run its gas turbines, which come into operation as an emergency measure amid generation capacity failures.

Eskom spurns air quality controls

Emissions obligations weigh as heavily on the state-owned power firm’s bottom line as its customers’ health and safety.

Congo freezes mining expansion projects amid electricity shortage

The Democratic Republic of Congo has halted mining expansion projects due to a power shortage that has it considering a "load-shedding" schedule.

Barack Obama and Jacob Zuma hold a joint press conference at the Union Buildings on Saturday.

Obama’s $7bn power plan for Africa

President Barack Obama is due to announce on Sunday a $7-billion initiative over five years to double access to power in sub-Saharan Africa.

Engineers inspect equipment at a semifunctional hydropower plant on the Congo River.

DRC short-circuits power supply

Southern African countries bear the brunt of ambitious plans gone awry, writes Roman Grynberg.

Residents complain to World Bank about Eskom loan

Limpopo residents on Tuesday filed a complaint with the World Bank about the $3,75bn loan sought by Eskom to help finance the Medudi power plant.

Eskom: Power supply ‘a serious concern’ from 2011

SA’s power supply is seen as a serious concern from 2011 onwards until new power stations come on stream, Eskom said on Tuesday.