Nersa moves to consult on key building blocks in shift to electricity market competition

The outcomes of two public consultation processes initiated recently by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) are likely to have far-reaching implications for the country’s... 

South Africa increases tariffs on wide range of steel products to WTO bound rate

South Africa has officially raised import protection across a wide range of upstream and downstream steel products by between 10% and 30% – rates that are in line with the World Trade Organisation... 

Virtue of necessity

Following an embarrassing false start, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has set a deadline of early next year for the finalisation of a new draft of the national AI policy.... 

EU aims to use investor roadshow to convert €12bn pledge into South African projects

The EU, which announced a €12-billion investment package for South Africa in October, is undertaking investment roadshows in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban this week as part of efforts to... 

Cabinet urged to fast-track electricity reform roadmap as market enters critical phase

Independent power producer and licensed trader NOA has amplified a recent call for the publication of a Cabinet-endorsed electricity reform roadmap to ensure that the shift to the competitive... 

Eleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements

The 11 private train operating companies (TOCs), which were last year allocated slots on South Africa’s mainline rail network, have now officially concluded rail access agreements with the Transnet... 

Big and small pictures

Much has been written in recent weeks about the geopolitical factors now driving the energy transition. Particular attention has been given to how the attack on Iran by the US and Israel, which... 

Eskom flags big renewables ambitions as it starts work on 75 MW solar project alongside Lethabo coal station

Eskom has started construction of a 75 MW solar PV project alongside its Lethabo coal-fired power station in the Free State, which is expected to generate some 147 GWh yearly once at full... 

Eskom and ferrochrome smelters make case for ‘win-win’ 62c/kWh tariff, amid transparency concerns

Although Eskom confirmed that it would not make a profit from the sale of electricity to two ferrochrome producers at a tariff of 62c/kWh, the State-owned company nevertheless argued that the costs... 

New initiative aims to grow pipeline of ‘bankable’ water and sanitation projects

A newly formed government agency set up to mobilise private sector participation in public infrastructure has concluded a cooperation agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in a... 

South Africa poised for record IPP deployments in 2026

South Africa’s utility-scale renewables and battery storage market is poised for a record year of installations, a new research note produced by the Power Futures Lab at the UCT Graduate School of... 

Risks to reform

The economic reform agenda has emerged as the defining feature of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency, especially the reforms under way to open the electricity and freight logistics markets to... 

Nersa moves to consult on key building blocks in shift to electricity market competition

The outcomes of two public consultation processes initiated recently by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) are likely to have far-reaching implications for the country’s... 

Nersa aims to make ferrochrome tariff call by end May as it launches public consultations

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has set aside May 25 for public hearings into Eskom’s application to amend negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) with Samancor Chrome and... 

Sasol upbeat on market demand for Natref’s premium SAF and renewable diesel

Energy and chemicals group Sasol, which recently secured product-sustainability certification for jet fuel and diesel produced from used cooking oil and vegetable oils at its Natref refinery, says... 

Don’t waste the crisis

South Africa is experiencing its third energy crisis of this decade. While electricity loadshedding has been a threat for far longer, the most extreme phase was definitely during 2022 and 2023,... 

Eleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements

The 11 private train operating companies (TOCs), which were last year allocated slots on South Africa’s mainline rail network, have now officially concluded rail access agreements with the Transnet... 

Ramokgopa promises ‘sequenced’ roadmap for wholesale electricity market roll-out

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that his department will publish a “sequenced” implementation roadmap for the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) so... 

Creecy highlights private prospects in freight logistics on eve of rail announcement

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that major private sector participation (PSP) projects in the freight logistics sector will be brought to market in the current financial year and... 

Draft masterplan outlines R2-trillion vision for restoring rail as ‘backbone’ by 2050

The Draft National Rail Master Plan released by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy for public comment outlines an ambitious R2-trillion vision for repositioning South Africa’s underperforming rail... 

New policy paper to offer ‘single window’ into South Africa’s electricity reform agenda

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that government is finalising an electricity reform policy paper in a bid to offer a “single-window overview of the sector's reform... 

Policy conundrum

At the start of South Africa’s democratic era, the availability of cheap coal-fired electricity emerged as the country’s main instrument for attracting investors. It seems almost unbelievable now,... 

€300m AFD loan to assist Transnet’s transition to low-carbon operating model

State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has signed a €300-million (R5.8-billion) with Agence française de développement (AFD) to support its transition to a low-carbon operating model. The... 

IMF says Middle East war should spur faster adoption of renewable energy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the war in the Middle East, which has precipitated an energy crisis similar in scale to the 1970s oil crisis, should spur countries to accelerate their... 

Mulilo says Middlepunt PV plant to supply cheapest REIPPPP-procured electricity

South African independent power producer Mulilo reports that its 337 MWdc Middlepunt solar PV plant will deliver electricity at R458/MWh when it enters into commercial operation in the coming 24... 

Supply lines

South Africa has not escaped the fuel price shocks associated with disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz energy corridor and the damage to refinery and other infrastructure in the Gulf.... 

Nersa aims to make ferrochrome tariff call by end May as it launches public consultations

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has set aside May 25 for public hearings into Eskom’s application to amend negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) with Samancor Chrome and... 

Sasol optimistic of market demand for Natref’s premium SAF and renewable diesel

Energy and chemicals group Sasol, which recently secured product-sustainability certification for jet fuel and diesel produced from used cooking oil and vegetable oils at its Natref refinery, says... 

Mulilo’s Mercury battery storage project achieves financial close

South African independent power producer Mulilo, which announced at the recent South Africa Investment Conference that it would be investing R15-billion in new renewables and storage projects,... 

Big container recovery required if South Africa is to meet 250Mt rail target

Meeting the South African government’s target of moving 250-million tons of freight yearly on rail by 2030 will be achieved only if there is a significant recovery in general freight volumes, which... 

Full disclosure

Given its recent history, the fact that Eskom is even able to contemplate entering into a 62c/kWh tariff deal with the ferrochrome industry is remarkable. It is a clear indication of how far the... 

Eskom says ferrochrome offer will leave it financially better off

Eskom board member Clive Le Roux says the State-owned company will be in a better position financially by selling electricity to the ferrochrome smelters at 62c/kWh than if that demand was lost... 

New policy paper to offer ‘single window’ into South Africa’s electricity reform agenda

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that government is finalising an electricity reform policy paper in a bid to offer a “single-window overview of the sector's reform... 

Basic Fuel Price formula in focus amid dramatic shift in South Africa’s supply sources

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), which is now preparing for a prolonged period of fuel supply and pricing pressure as a result of the damage to energy infrastructure during... 

National Rail Bill being prepared in bid to embed reforms – Creecy

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy reports that she intends seeking Cabinet approval for a new National Rail Bill during the 2026/27 financial year and that the Bill will aim to embed in legislation... 

Big lingering questions

During the most recent energy crisis – triggered by attacks by the US and Israel on Iran that resulted in the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz energy corridor ahead of a tenuous ceasefire – one... 

Nersa aims to decide on Eskom’s 62c/kWh ferrochrome tariff offer by end of June

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has confirmed that it received an application from Eskom on April 10 in relation to a 62c/kWh tariff offer for the ferrochrome sector and has... 

IMF cuts South Africa’s growth outlook amid mounting war-linked energy crisis

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its 2026 growth projection for the South African economy to only 1% from a January projection of 1.4%, as it warned that the outbreak of war in the... 

Eskom and ferrochrome producers strike 62c/kWh deal, with Nersa process to follow

Electricity utility Eskom has announced the conclusion of a much-anticipated 62c/kWh electricity tariff deal with ferrochrome producers Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture and Samancor Chrome. The... 

Launch of SAWEM delayed, but NTCSA says preparations are well advanced

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has confirmed that the target date of April 1, 2026, for the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) will not be met,...