Новости за 19.01.2024

Africa Solar Industry Association (Afsia) finds in its fourth yearly ‘Solar Outlook’ report that 350 GW of solar power were added in 2023, marking the highest year for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in history. In 2022, about 240 GW were added, which increased by 46% to 350 GW having been added. The 2023 figure alone accounts for 31% of all solar PV capacity added since 2017.

While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is offering comprehensive and collaborative support for underperforming water services authorities (WSAs), mayors and municipalities, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has warned of a hardline approach for non-conforming entities. This followed the conclusion a two-day WSA Summit, where clear resolutions and action plans have emerged to address the findings and outcomes of the Blue and No Drop reports and Green Drop Progress Assessment report.

The Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT), in the Eastern Cape, has recruited 36 lifting equipment operators to run a full three-berth operation when South Africa’s citrus season begins in April. The operators have started with their on-the-job training, which is designed to enable the operation of ship-to-shore cranes and rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.

The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward will meet with Deputy President Paul Mashatile at the OR Tambo Official Residence, in Pretoria, as part of Prince Edward's working visit to South Africa from January 22 to 24. The delegations will discuss key areas of importance in the bilateral relationship between the countries.

Oxford Economics’ Global Climate Service has updated its Sustainable Development scenario, with a focus on the required mitigation funding. It has modelled a scenario in which mitigation funding reaches $250-billion a year, Oxford Economics Scenarios and Macroeconomic Modelling climate economist Manuela Kiehl informed.

Financial technology company Ukheshe International has acquired 100% of EFT Corporation (EFTCorp) in what Ukheshe describes as a milestone in both companies’ commitment to innovation and growth. The transaction also underscores a shared vision of transforming financial services across the continent.

South African motorists are currently enjoying a variety of pre-owned vehicles, with price being a significant driver of the pre-owned car market, says motor retailer Kelston Motor Group used vehicle manager Donovan Enslin. “Motorists can get a great vehicle for R150 000. Even at the lower end, you can be assured of a good vehicle and the market is very diverse,” he notes.

The Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) has appointed Saliem Fakir as the new board chairperson, effective from January 15. Fakir is a globally recognised leader in sustainability, climate policy and finance, and brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to drive green transformation within the company.

Tshwane and eThekwini could see the rollout of 39 electric commuter buses by the end of next year. The introduction of the zero-emissions vehicles will form part of a pilot project funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), and managed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).

The Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 is prioritising fluid terminal operations ahead of South Africa’s citrus season, and the terminal is providing a rail link solution for its customers’ import containers to a back-of-port facility 7 km from the terminal as a means of reducing the number of trucks entering the terminal. Since the beginning of January, customers have been collecting their containers at the back-of-port facility with minimal waiting times and flowing roads in the vicinity. The... Читать дальше...

Eskom has announced that Dan Marokane – who was named group CEO on December 8, almost a full year after André de Ruyter formally resigned – will assume office on March 1, 2024. Previously, Eskom indicated that Marokane would join the organisation no later than March 31, 2024, so as to allow him time to finalise his existing responsibilities.

African central banks due to decide on interest rates in the next three weeks are poised to maintain tight monetary policies, in contrast to their emerging market peers in Europe and Latin America, who have started cutting. Its biggest economies Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Angola are set to keep rates higher for longer until at least the second half of this year, as they battle persistent inflation and weigh up risks from weaker currencies and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Читать дальше...

A new platinum group metals (PGM) recycling facility has opened in China, where the autocatalyst recycling market is expected to grow at the rate of 18% a year. Recycled PGMs are calculated to offer carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction of up to 98% when compared with mined PGMs.

South African freight rail operator Transnet said late Thursday it resumed partial service on the line connecting to the country's main coal export terminal, four days after two trains collided and blocked the tracks. The first line leading to the Richards Bay coal terminal was declared safe for the passage of trains on Thursday night, Transnet said in a statement, adding that service on the second line is expected to resume on Saturday.

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the efforts being made to reinvigorate South Africa's public procurement of new electricity capacity after recent disappointments and amid ongoing loadshedding, as well as the key messages that emerged from bidders’ conferences on the country's new renewables, battery and gas bid windows.

A video round up of this week’s magazine, highlighting our cover story, features and Business Leader.

Following delays and setbacks in recent years, roads parastatal South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) restarted works last year on the Mtentu and Msikaba megabridges, in the Eastern Cape, as part of the flagship N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project. The project covers 410 km between the N2 Gonubie Interchange near East London, in the Eastern Cape, and the Mtamvuna river bridge, and stretches to Port Edward, in KwaZulu-Natal.