Debt and theft

The twin crises of surging municipal arrear debt owing to Eskom and rising electricity theft have been lurking for years, and with all efforts to combat the problems having failed. In fact Eskom’s... 

Transnet confirms attachment order for parts required to return CRRC locomotives to service

Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips has expressed optimism that some locomotives that have been standing idle for years amid a long-running dispute with the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation... 

Exploration-driven mining revival would reignite industrialisation

Rather than focusing narrowly on minerals beneficiation, South African policymakers have been urged to pay much closer attention to reigniting and expanding the market for the country’s already... 

Classifying Eskom’s coal fuel costs as fixed would damage SAWEM

Allowing Eskom Generation to classify the primary energy used by its coal power stations as fixed costs will undermine the objective of using the upcoming launch of the South African Wholesale... 

Mega-scale 506 MW Free State solar cluster takes another big step forward

A mega-scale solar and battery storage hub is under construction on a 560 ha site in the grid-ready Free State province – a development that comprises two solar PV farms with a combined capacity of... 

25-year extensions of Island View liquid-bulk terminal leases to boost fuel security – Creecy

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has issued a directive instructing the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to renew the leases of existing liquid-bulk terminal operators in the Island View... 

When to intervene?

When should a Minister intervene at a State-owned company or independent regulator? It’s a difficult question to answer, and will remain so for as long as Ministers have shareholder... 

Eskom outlines R320bn capex plan, as it signals 2028 return to capital markets

Having finally announced the completion at the end of September of its generation build programme, which included two mega coal projects that ran years behind schedule and tens of billions over... 

Eskom warns that municipal debt could climb to R300bn by 2030

Eskom CFO Calib Cassim warns that municipal arrear debt owing to Eskom could exceed R300-billion by 2030, while once again highlighting the failure of the current National Treasury initiative to... 

Eskom now modelling single-digit tariff hikes, Marokane reports

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane reports that the State-owned company is being geared towards receiving no more than single-digit tariff increases in future in recognition of the affordability pressures... 

Eskom chair says future tariff hikes should be in line with inflation

Eskom chairperson Mteto Nyati says the next mission of the board is to drive electricity affordability in a way that ensures that future electricity tariff increases do not exceed the rate of... 

Nersa launches market inquiry into impact of fixed charges on electricity customers

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has launched a market inquiry into the impact of fixed charges being levied by Eskom and municipal electricity distributors, which it claims... 

Fraught Eskom build programme completed as Kusile Unit 6 enters commercial operation

Unit 6 at Kusile power station has officially entered into commercial operation, which Eskom says marks the end of its multi-decade build programme – one which experienced well-publicised delays,... 

Ramokgopa says electricity package for ferrochrome smelters to include ‘significant concessions’

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has confirmed that government is finalising an electricity package for the ferrochrome sector that goes beyond the negotiated pricing agreement... 

Big few months ahead in countdown to South African Wholesale Electricity Market

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has provided a detailed breakdown of the steps being taken in preparation for the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market... 

First private train operators expected to enter network over coming 12 to 36 months

Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips reports that negotiations are under way to conclude contracts with the first 11 private train operating companies (TOCs) that have qualified to take up slots on the... 

Electrotech vision

South Africa is thankfully surfacing from a of period of prolonged electricity disruption that all but stripped the country of its ability to grow and create jobs for more than a decade. But this... 

Treasury optimistic R2bn smart-meter scheme can help arrest Eskom arrear debt crisis

Having rolled-out 67 000 smart meters across eight pilot municipalities in 2024/25 as part of an effort to improve revenue management at municipalities that owe Eskom billions in outstanding arear... 

Market countdown

It is understandable that few are fully aware of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) and the likely significance of this complex reform, which represents an important... 

IEA lowers 2030 low-emissions hydrogen production outlook

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has lowered its outlook for the amount of low-emissions hydrogen it expects will be produced yearly by 2030, following recent project delays and cancellations.... 

Firms across steel value chain gear up to reply to Itac’s sweeping tariff proposal

Companies across South Africa’s steel value chain are gearing up to submit responses to a preliminary determination by the International Trade Commission of South Africa (Itac) that proposes the... 

Warning that qualifying criteria for private grid procurement could sideline domestic industry

Concern continues to be raised over the technical and financial criteria being used to prequalify bidders for South Africa’s inaugural independent transmission project (ITP) tender, which critics... 

Coal destoning investment to lift Secunda volumes – Sasol

Energy and chemicals group Sasol reports that construction of its coal destoning plant has been completed and that the facility, which should be ramped up to full production by December, is... 

HARD TIMES

ArcelorMittal South Africa announced earlier this month that it had placed the Newcastle blast furnace into temporary care and maintenance and had initiated retrenchment processes. While... 

Tariff pushback

The extreme pace of the 2025 news cycle has made it difficult to remember even the most important developments. For instance, it is difficult to recall the immediate concern raised in January over... 

Big few months ahead in countdown to South African Wholesale Electricity Market

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has provided a detailed breakdown of the steps being taken in preparation for the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market... 

Nersa’s approval of AMSA applications may spark fresh dispute with Eskom

Another dispute may be looming between Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). This one, over the regulator’s decision to approve ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s)... 

First private train operators expected to enter network over coming 12 to 36 months

Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips reports that negotiations are under way to conclude contracts with the first 11 private train operating companies (TOCs) that have qualified to take up slots on the... 

First 11 train operators selected for 41 routes as SA takes big step in opening freight rail to private sector

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced that 11 of the 25 private train operating companies (TOCs) that applied to operate routes on Transnet’s rail network have met the requirements to do... 

EXSA views Seriti Green deal as key milestone as it scales up for pure-play trading role

Licensed electricity trader Energy Exchange of Southern Africa (EXSA) describes its recently concluded 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Seriti Green as a major milestone in positioning... 

Decision time

Developments in the South African steel industry offer a glimpse into the pressures being faced by the manufacturing sector as a whole, and the likely industrial and trade policy responses to those... 

B20 South Africa energy task force urges big upscaling in energy transition financing

The B20 South Africa task force on energy has unveiled three recommendations that will be presented to the G20 government leaders when they gather for their yearly meeting in Johannesburg in... 

Large miners and industrial firms want tariff reopener after R54bn settlement creates price-path uncertainty

The Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) has called for a reopening of the most recent electricity tariff determination, arguing that a R54-billion behind-closed-doors settlement between the... 

Public hearings to be held on NTCSA’s application for electricity market operator licence

A public hearing into the National Transmission Company South Africa’s (NTCSA’s) application for a market operator licence will be hosted by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on... 

Partnership framework being prioritised ahead of Eskom Green launch

Eskom group executive for renewables Rivoningo Mnisi reports that the State-owned company has received a positive response to a tender for companies to support it with the establishment of a... 

Pressure mounting

With industrial and trade policy firmly back on the global agenda, South African industry is becoming more vocal in highlighting the threats posed to South Africa’s industrial capacity by policy... 

IDC says it can’t go it alone in salvaging AMSA’s longs unit

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) says no decision has been made in relation to further support for ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s) long-steel business, after the State-owned... 

Bigger hikes to follow Nersa’s R54bn behind-closed-doors settlement with Eskom

Eskom’s electricity tariffs are poised to rise by 8.76% on April 1 next year instead of the 5.36% approved previously, and by 8.83% instead of 6.19% in 2027/28 after the National Energy Regulator... 

Sasol wants electricity trading licence to add ‘flexibility’ as it mulls equity in renewables

Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi has confirmed that the JSE-listed group has applied to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) for an electricity trading licence, and is also planning to take... 

Sasol expects coal destoning investment to lift Secunda volumes

Energy and chemicals group Sasol reports that construction of its coal destoning plant has been completed and that the facility, which should be ramped up to full production by December, is...