Tag: renewable energy

The ‘potential’ of recent gas finds has given rise to false claims that gas will generate economic prosperity for the country. The reality is that it will be at least a decade, possibly two, before we see any significant impact. In the meantime, the climate impacts will be huge, and we will lock ourselves in to a new fossil fuel system, which is expensive and unnecessary.

2020 saw a number of significant developments in the local energy space and, while this sector generally tends to shift relatively slowly, 2021 is likely to bring with it some of the most progressive changes in South Africa’s energy arena.

Almost any stock with a decent hydrogen angle performed well in 2020. So, what is all the excitement about, and are these stocks in a bubble? Renewable energy can and will decarbonise power generation. Renewable energy and batteries can and will decarbonise the automotive sector.

The mining industry has envisioned a new future where business, human and environmental interests are not competing priorities, but complementary strengths: a 'Triple Zero' future of zero harm, zero loss, and zero waste. In the Triple Zero future, where zero harm is lived out day-to-day, the health and well-being of the workforce act as a fulcrum for sustainable business operations.

AGL Energy Limited undertook a successful transformation of an old coal plant to a modern flexible gas engine power plant to support more renewables into the South Australian power system. Eskom’s latest request for information to propose new uses for decommissioned coal-fired power stations, is an opportunity to devise creative solutions to what would otherwise become a major financial burden for the utility and result in thousands of jobs lost.

All over the world, interest in hydrogen as a vector for clean energy is growing, as industries and governments investigate and implement national decarbonisation strategies. With the rapid growth in renewable electricity and falling costs of wind and solar power, the opportunity to produce zero carbon hydrogen has caught the attention of global energy players.

Over the lockdown period, utilities have stepped up, keeping hospitals running and laptops charged. Energy has not been top of mind for consumers during the current pandemic, but in this new operating environment, we cannot ignore what may soon follow and must ensure we continue to work toward sustainable solutions.

As we're all under lockdown and using more energy and water in our homes than usual, one must consider the benefits of a green home. Green homes give tenants and owners long-term energy and water savings and a better standard of living – with less costs. 

On Tuesday 29 October 2019, the South African Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, released, and held a media briefing on, a special paper entitled 'Roadmap for Eskom in a Reformed Electricity Supply Industry, 2019' (the Roadmap). The Roadmap highlights the issues that Eskom is currently facing and then sets out the government's plan to address them.

Climate change and global warming are issues that have long been debated. Predictions as far back as 1982 regarding increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide are proving true.