Day: November 8, 2022

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Zoomtopia 2022: New Innovations to Power Modern Work Experiences

  • Zoom Email and Calendar (beta) integrated into comprehensive Zoom communications platform
  • Zoom Spots will provide persistent, virtual co-working spaces to drive employee connection and collaboration
  • New innovations also include conversational AI features in Contact Center, additional benefits for developers, and more
  • Zoomtopia offered for the first time as hybrid experience powered by Zoom Events

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) kicked off Zoomtopia 2022, the company’s annual event to unveil new innovations to power modern work experiences and celebrate the future of communication and collaboration. For the first time ever, Zoomtopia 2022 is a hybrid experience powered by Zoom Events, Zoom’s all-in-one, virtual event management solution.

“As global organizations are adapting to how, when, and where work happens, it’s crucial that human connection remains a top priority to drive business strategies forward,” said Eric S. Yuan, CEO at Zoom. “Zoom is purpose-built to make all kinds of connections possible, effective, and meaningful. Our team has built and launched more than 1,500 features and enhancements on the Zoom platform this year, advancing the way people connect with each other, their organization, and their customers—ultimately, opening the doors wide for creativity and collaboration.”

“There has never been more uncertainty surrounding the future of work than there is today. Work from anywhere, hybrid offices and other trends have created a complex set of questions that business and IT leaders need to address. Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain and that is collaboration tools will be critical in keeping workers connected,” said Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research. “Zoom has rapidly evolved from being a niche meetings company to a broad collaboration platform that delivers unparalleled employee and customer experience, and helps organizations address the current and future needs of work.”

“Our team connects and collaborates on Zoom, allowing us to seamlessly work together no matter where we are located—so that we can continue delivering world-class content from our iconic brands like HBO, Warner Bros., CNN, and Food Network and beloved characters like Batman, Superman, Looney Tunes, and Harry Potter,” said Dave Duvall, CIO – Technology & Operations, Warner Bros. Discovery. “We’ve been able to evolve with Zoom, particularly beyond meetings, with products like Zoom Phone, Zoom Rooms, and Zoom Team Chat. The whole platform has really expanded our capabilities to collaborate and stay connected within the organization.”

Zoom Platform Innovations Announced at Zoomtopia
To further advance the next era of communications, Zoom unveiled several new offerings to empower businesses and individuals alike.

Some of the latest announcements include:

  • Zoom Mail and Calendar (beta): With the Zoom Mail and Calendar Clients, users no longer need to leave the Zoom platform to access their email and calendar. Popular email and calendar services will be integrated directly into Zoom, meaning users can quickly access their communications and scheduling, and get their work done more efficiently. For businesses who may not have dedicated IT services but are focused on privacy and security, Zoom also rolled out Zoom-hosted email and calendar service options, also directly integrated with the Zoom platform. Zoom Mail Service is end-to-end encrypted for emails sent directly between active Zoom Mail Service users. Zoom Mail and Calendar Clients and Zoom Mail and Calendar Services will launch in beta.
  • Zoom Spots: Welcome to Zoom’s virtual co-working space! Coming in early 2023, Zoom Spots is a video-enabled persistent space, integrated within the Zoom platform, to help foster inclusive discussions, keep colleagues connected, and bring the fluid interactions of in-person work to distributed, hybrid teams throughout their day.
  • Zoom Virtual Agent: Zoom Virtual Agent is an intelligent conversational AI and chatbot solution that uses natural language processing and machine learning to understand and quickly resolve issues for customers. Zoom Virtual Agent works around-the-clock on multiple support channels to deliver fast, personalized customer experiences, reduce call volumes to human agents, and drive significant operational efficiencies for businesses. Zoom Virtual Agent, available in early 2023, can be fully integrated with Zoom Contact Center and will also be offered as a standalone chatbot solution.
  • Continuous Collaboration across Zoom One: Connected workstreams across Zoom One, the all-in-one communication and collaboration offering that brings together Team Chat, Phone, Whiteboard, Meetings, and more, are enabling individuals and teams to do their best work. Among these new capabilities is the integration between Team Chat and In-Meeting Chat, creating an always-on functionality so users can flow between Team Chat and Meetings to reduce silos, keep projects moving, and continue the conversation after meetings.
  • Zoom IQ Virtual Coach: Coming soon as part of Zoom IQ for Sales, Zoom IQ Virtual Coach simulates a variety of selling situations to give sellers a practice environment to hone their pitch, obtain feedback, and receive real-time content tips during calls with prospects.

Learn more about these innovations and other new hybrid work features.

Build to Connect and Extend the Value of Zoom
Developers have the ability to use Zoom APIs, SDKs, and tools and resources to build apps and integrations with Zoom or use Zoom’s core technology to power innovative video-based solutions for any use case.

Developers can do more on Zoom with:

  • Zoom Developer Platform enhancements: It will soon be easier for developers to provision and manage apps that work with Zoom by enabling admin-authorized installed apps. This will allow Zoom account admins to pre-install apps for an organization at the account, group, or user level. Additionally, developers will soon be able to monetize their apps on the Zoom App Marketplace.
  • Extended availability with Zoom Apps: Zoom Apps, in-product apps seamlessly integrated into the Zoom Meeting and Webinar experience, is expanding across the platform to Team Chat, Zoom Rooms, and more, so developers can plug apps into all their workflows. Now, developers can build their integration once and extend it across the entire Zoom product line. Additionally, developers will benefit from increased distribution of their Zoom Apps with the upcoming release of Essential Apps. Essential Apps bundle Zoom Meetings paid plans and Zoom Apps with select app developers, servicing the needs of managing and growing a business, while helping to minimize manual drudgery.

Hear more about how developers can extend the power of Zoom with new updates to the Zoom Developer Platform and Zoom Apps at Developer Summit at Zoomtopia.

Tune In LIVE
Zoomtopia is a two-day hybrid experience hosted on the Zoom Events platform, featuring thought-provoking speakers, business leaders and celebrity appearances, and includes many opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn. Tune in live to catch all the exciting content.

About Zoom
Zoom is for you. Zoom is a space where you can connect to others, share ideas, make plans, and build toward a future limited only by your imagination. Our frictionless communications platform is the only one that started with video as its foundation, and we have set the standard for innovation ever since. That is why we are an intuitive, scalable, and secure choice for large enterprises, small businesses, and individuals alike. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Visit zoom.com and follow @zoom.

Zoom Public Relations
Candace Dean
Corporate PR Lead
press@zoom.us

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8692032

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Energy and Water Development Corp. and KB Engineering Tapped for Sustainable Water and Energy Project in South Africa

HAMBURG, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / November 8, 2022 / Energy and Water Development Corp., (OTCQB:EAWD) (“EAWD”), an innovator in alternative energy and green tech, has signed a letter of intent with Trioflex Incubator (Pty) Ltd and KB Engineering GmbH to develop and implement renewable energy and water harvesting technology in South Africa.

https://www.accesswire.com/users/newswire/images/724405/eawd.jpeg

Trioflex Incubator and KB Engineering were appointed through a competitive bidding process with the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality in South Africa’s Free State province as part of the Presidential District Development Model programs in infrastructure and agriculture, and renewable energy projects.

“Water scarcity and infrastructure limitations of the current power supply continue to hinder development in South Africa and many other areas in the world in need of developing effective, efficient and sustainable off-grid production of drinking water and extended solar energy storage. Implementation of renewable energy and water harvesting technology projects will help improve lives and support the economic growth initiatives of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality,” said Irma Velazquez, MSc, CEO of EAWD.

“There is a growing need for additional, reliable sources of power and water generation worldwide, and South Africa is no exception. Through the Trioflex Incubator, the partnership between EAWD and KB Engineering brings the proven technology and engineering experience to create sustainable production of water and energy while also developing skills and creating jobs within our community to further our goal of eradicating poverty,” said Thapelo Mokoena, CEO of Trioflex Incubator-Strategic Partner of Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality.

Me. TPM Lebenya, the Municipal Manager of Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, thanked Trioflex Incubator and KB Engineering for arranging such an important meeting, and applauded Mr. Mokoena for vision and perseverance, as these interactions will go a long way in improving the economy of the district and livelihood of its people.

The Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality encompasses the six local municipalities of Dihlabeng, Maluti-A-Phofung, Mantsopa, Nketoana, Phumelela and Setsoto. It is committed to creating integrated, self-reliant and sustainable communities by improving living conditions and developing a conducive environment for business opportunities and job creation. Key priorities include sustainable infrastructure, local economic development, job creation, tourism, agriculture and rural development, social development, sports, arts and culture, community participation and financial viability.

“The interest and support from the local government in South Africa to work with local communities in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality to develop sources of sustainable energy and water is encouraging,” said Norbert Kajüter, Managing Director, KB Engineering. “This cooperation and partnership will benefit communities going forward as we work with them on installation.”

EAWD and KB Engineering are working collaboratively to develop turnkey sustainable energy and water production plans worldwide, including other areas of southern Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, South America, North America and Europe.

About Energy and Water Development Corp

Energy and Water Development Corp. is an engineering solutions company focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions of water and energy. EAWD builds water and energy systems out of already-existing, proven technologies, utilizing their technical know-how to customize solutions to their clients’ needs. The company offers design, construction, maintenance and specialty consulting services to private companies, government entities and non-government organizations (NGOs). For more information, please visit www.energy-water.com.

About KB Engineering

The company KB Engineering was founded in 2018 by Norbert Ferdinand Kajüter and Rolf Barlag in Ibbenbüren, Germany. The company founders do have a mechanical background, each with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. KB Engineering is a global company responsible for sales activities for well-known international customers. The main business area of KB Engineering is the design of building material plants and the development of new, innovative products. The product areas in the building materials sector are mainly aerated concrete, sand-lime bricks, ceramic bricks, concrete and refractory products and insulation boards. KB Engineering is recognized for its close cooperation with clients as well as by its neutrality, since there is no supplier relationship. The company’s core values are sustainability and trusting relationships with clients.

The mission of KB Engineering is to develop sustainable production facilities, with their own (regenerative) energy generation as far as possible. For more information, please visit www.kb-engineering.de.

About Trioflex Incubator

Trioflex Incubator is 100 % Black Owned and Managed, Trioflex is Accredited by QCTO as a Training Provider – ARTISAN DEVELOPMENT. Trioflex is also accredited by QCTO and Department of Higher Education and Training as TRADE TEST CENTRE. Trioflex is a Strategic Partner of Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality appointed to train Artisans and be a source of funding for unfunded projects as per DDM ONE PLAN. Trioflex Incubator secured a partnership with KB Engineering. Trioflex is also a business Incubator – developing entrepreneurs to become successful. Trioflex also secured the partnership with Department of Higher Education and Training as the technical partner, and through its partnership with KB Engineering, secured relationship with EAWD.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding EAWD’s operations and expansion plans. When used in this press release, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “target,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future production and sales, market size, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward looking statements, including those found in EAWD’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is on file with the SEC and available from the Company’s website at https://energy-water.com/investors/.

EAWD has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond EAWD’s control. You are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available at that time. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update or revise our forward-looking statements based on new information, future events or otherwise.

Media contact: 
Maureen Richardson, River Communications
+ 914-686-5599
mrichardson@riverinc.com

Investor Relations contact:
Bret Shapiro, CoreIR
BretS@coreir.com

SOURCE: Energy and Water Development Corp. (EAWD)

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Just In Time For The Holidays Crurated Announces More Fractional Barrel Auctions Backed by NFT Technology With Winemakers Across France and Italy

For gift giving, collecting, or every day enjoyment new calendar features some of Europe’s finest producers and covers the remainder of 2022

Crurated Barrels November and December Calendar

Just In Time For The Holidays Crurated Announces More Fractional Barrel Auctions Backed by NFT Technology With Winemakers Across France and Italy. For gift giving, collecting, or every day enjoyment new calendar features some of Europe’s finest producers and covers the remainder of 2022

LONDON, Nov. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  With the holiday and gift giving season right around the corner, Crurated, a blockchain and member-based wine community, has released a new barrel auction calendar for the remainder of 2022. The offering features some of the finest winemakers from France and Italy and extends the fractional barrel sales after a successful first round of auctions. The recently announced program allows Crurated members to purchase fractions of barrels that are certified through blockchain and NFT technology.

The offering also gives buyers the ability to customize bottle formats and labels for the gift recipient or themselves. Many of the producers on the platform rarely or never make larger format bottles even though collectors and buyers often ask for them. Fractional barrels now allow producers to determine the exact number and sizes of bottles that are needed. In many cases, the only way to have larger formats for the wines being auctioned is exclusively through Crurated.

The next round of fractional barrel auctions include:

  • Domaine Gerorges Mugneret-Gibourg — November 7-13
    • Vosne-Romanée “La Colombière” 2021
    • Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru “Les Feusselottes” Cuvée Augustin 2021
    • Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021
  • Domaine Pierre Girardin — November 14-20
    • Échezeaux Grand Cru 2021
    • Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2021
    • Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021
    • Richebourg Grand Cru 2021
  • Montevertine — November 21-27
    • Le Pergole Torte 2020
  • Domaine Y. Clerget — December 5-11
    • Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2021
    • Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Verseuil 2021
    • Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens 2021
  • Domaine Hubert Lignier — December 12-18
    • Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Bio 2021
    • Morey Saint-Denis 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes Bio 2021
    • Morey-Saint-Denis Trilogie Bio 2021
    • Bourgogne Pinot Noir Grand Chaliot 2021
  • Domaine Bruno Colin — December 19-25
    • Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2021

“When we launched barrel sales, we knew what we were offering our members was unique. Little did we know that barrels would sell out so quickly and in some cases within 24 hours,” said Alfonso de Gaetano, founder of Crurated. “Our team is pleased to be announcing a new slate of auctions with some of Europe’s most sought-after wines and just in time for the holidays.”

About Crurated
Launched in 2021 with an emphasis on France and Italy, Crurated is a membership-based wine community designed to connect connoisseurs directly with world-class producers. A team of specialists provides personalized services and authentic experiences, while Crurated’s seamless logistics service guarantees quality and provenance thanks to secure wine cellar storage and innovative blockchain technology. For more on Crurated, visit crurated.com.

Michael Volpatt
michael@larkinvolpatt.com
415 994 8864

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee03a3c2-35fd-4334-9adb-d2f8c7c2a7e9

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c848d052-fe03-4cdb-becd-c00e6a4cdb57


GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8691599

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President Cyril Ramaphosa: UN Climate Change Conference 2022

His Excellency Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
His Excellency Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt,
President of COP 27, Dr Sameh Shoukry,
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,

We are gathered here for COP 27 on an African continent that is experiencing the worsening effects of climate change.

For the sake of our continent and the world, we need a dramatic increase in global mitigation ambition to keep the world on the 1.5-degree pathway.

Like other vulnerable regions, Africa needs to build adaptive capacity, foster resilience and address loss and damage, as we all agreed at Paris COP 21.

To achieve this, our continent will need  a predictable, appropriate and at-scale funding stream and technological support.

This must support our right to development, international equity and transitions that are just and inclusive.

This places a great responsibility on developed economies to honour their commitments to those countries with the greatest need and that confront the greatest environmental, social and economic effects of climate change.

The multilateral development banks need to be reformed to meet the needs of developing economies for sustainable development and climate resilience.

At present, multilateral support is out of reach of the majority of the world’s population due to lending policies that are risk averse and carry onerous costs and conditionalities.

We need a clear roadmap to deliver on the Glasgow decision to double adaptation financing by 2025.

Our emphasis must be on the health, well-being and food and water security of the most vulnerable.

At a national level, South Africa is fully committed to achieving the most ambitious end of the mitigation range in our updated Nationally Determined Contribution.

As a country, we are guided by a Just Transition Framework and an Investment Plan that outlines the enormous scale and nature of investments needed to achieve our decarbonisation goals over the next five years.

We are already scaling up investment in renewable energy, and are on course to retire several of our ageing coal-fired power plants by the end of 2030.

At COP 26 in Glasgow last year, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union offered support in the form of a Just Energy Transition Partnership.

It is our hope that this partnership will offer a ground-breaking approach to funding by developed countries for the ambitious but necessary mitigation and adaptation goals of developing countries.

South Africa reiterates its support for the Egyptian Presidency and its confidence in the successful outcomes of COP 27.

I thank you.

Source: Government of South Africa

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South African President Ramaphosa to participate in climate summit in Egypt

SHAM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt)— President Cyril Ramaphosa is participating in the Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Ramaphosa is at the summit on the invitation of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

“President Ramaphosa will on 07 November 2022 Co-Chair the High Level Roundtable on Just Transition, which will allow discussions on innovative approaches to address climate change in the context of Just Transition, inspired by the South African Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP),” the South African Presidency said in a statement in PRETORIA.

On Sunday during the special sitting of the Presidential Climate Change Commission(PCC), Ramaphosa unveiled government’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) outlining government’s comprehensive priority investment and financing interventions required to achieve decarbonisation commitments and ensure an equitable and just transition.

The 2022 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP27, is held on Nov 6-18, at the Sharm El-Sheikh International Conference Centre.

With COP27 taking place in Africa, it presents an opportunity to advance African priority issues, namely: Recognition of Africa’s special needs and circumstances; Raising the ambitions on mitigation, adaptation and support to developing countries; Advance financing arrangements for loss and damage; Build on progress made in Glasgow on the importance of Just Transitions; and Advance discussions on the special needs and circumstance of Africa.

Climate summits provide a platform to make announcements of new climate ambition, political direction and momentum for the UNFCCC negotiations, as well as to address broader issues related to climate change mainly to guide climate change negotiators (beyond the mandate and scope of the UNFCCC negotiations).

The programme for the participation of Heads of State and Government (HOSG) will include an official opening ceremony, high-level round tables, delivery of national statements and high-level side events organised by World Leaders.

During the summit, the Government of Egypt will convene 6 high-level Round Tables on Just Transition; Food Security; Innovative Finance and Climate Development; Investing in Future of Energy; Climate Change and Sustainability of Vulnerable Communities and Water Security.

These roundtables will be attended by the HOSG, Heads of observer organisations and specially invited guests.

On Tuesday, Ramaphosa will deliver a national statement during the high-level segment of the summit.

The summit further provides a platform for discussing how climate actions can be supportive of broader Just Transitions imperatives, highlighting the need for the COP to agree on a Just Transition Financing Framework under the mitigation work programme as a potential model for supporting energy transition in middle income countries.

“The high-level segment for Heads of State and Government during the summit signifies the importance for World Leaders to implement and transform key climate related decisions into concrete actions and credible plans, continue raising ambition, building up from previous Conference of the Parties, including the Glasgow COP 26 outcomes.

“The segment also keeps the high level commitment on climate change issues, with an aim to fight back climate emergency and promoting coordinated action to tackle climate change,” the Presidency said.

South Africa’s UNFCCC negotiating positions on climate change, are fully aligned to the African common position, as adopted by the African Union’s Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).

The President will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Naledi Pandor; Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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World Bank loan to help South Africa decarbonise, says Finance Minister Godongwana

PRETORIA— The R9 billion concessional loan the World Bank granted to state-owned public utility Eskom last week for the repurposing of the Komati Power Station will go a long way to ensure that government moves towards decarbonisation, says Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana.

Godongwana and Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, on behalf of the South African government, met the President of the World Bank, David Malpass, at the power plant in Mpumalanga.

The visit came after the loan approval for the power plant, which is set to become the country’s flagship Just Energy Transition (JET) project.

Malpass was on a short visit to South Africa while en route to the COP27 Summit in Egypt.

Gordhan and Malpass were welcomed in Mpumalanga by Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and received at the Komati Power Station by the Eskom Board chairperson, Mpho Makwana and Eskom CEO, Andre de Ruyter.

Godongwana, who met with Malpass on Saturday evening, said government is in partnership with a range of social partners to ensure a just energy transition.

“The financing Eskom is receiving from the World Bank will go a long way in assisting us to meet the ambitious targets relating to decarbonisation and the just energy transition that we have set for ourselves.

“The repurposing of Komati is a critical first step in a long journey, one that we cannot walk alone if we are to strike the urgent balance between our environmental, economic and energy imperatives.

“We will continue to mobilise capital, internationally and domestically, to finance the transition, in the interest of the lives and livelihoods of our people,” said Godongwana after the meeting.

Komati is set to be converted into a site for renewable energy generation, as the country gradually transitions from fossil fuels to clean energy resources.

It seeks to make a major contribution to mitigating climate change and ensuring energy security while supporting a range of economic initiatives for local communities in the Komati area.

Announcing the loan facility, Malpass expressed his confidence in South Africa embarking on the JET.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a difficult challenge worldwide, particularly in South Africa, given the high carbon intensity of the energy sector. Decommissioning the Komati plant this week is a good first step toward low carbon development. We are cognizant of the social challenges of the transition, and we are partnering with government, civil society, and unions to create economic opportunities for affected workers and communities,” said Malpass.

Gordhan said Malpass’s visit was an expression of confidence in South Africa’s ability to implement a JET in a way that minimises any negative impacts on local communities, which have over the years developed around coal stations.

“This project will greatly assist Eskom, South Africa and the international community to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of how the processes of decommissioning and repurposing of coal-powered stations can be done in a manner, which mitigates the socio-economic impacts for workers and communities; before we scale up the move of the power sector into a low carbon path. Crucially, it will provide training in new skills and for new jobs,” Gordhan said.

The last unit of the Komati Power Station was decommissioned and switched off on Oct 31, signalling the end of its operating life as a coal-fired power station.

The Komati plant will be converted into a renewable generation site powered with 150MW of solar, 70MW of wind and 150MW of storage batteries, adding generation capacity to the grid, thereby continuing to put the site and its associated transmission infrastructure to good use.

A containerised micro-grid assembly factory has already been established on site. This will help prolong the usefulness of the infrastructure and provide economic opportunities to the community.

Eskom has developed a comprehensive JET Strategy, which places equal importance on the ‘transition to lower carbon technologies,’ and the ability to do so in a manner that is ‘just’ and sustainable. The employees remaining at Komati at the time of the decommissioning will become part of the Repowering and Repurposing project.

The Komati Training Facility is already under development. It will facilitate the reskilling, retraining, and upskilling of Eskom employees and members of the community, as appropriate.

Eskom has signed a partnership agreement with the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) to develop the training facility.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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US Sanctions South African Islamic State-Affiliated Firms

The U.S. on Monday imposed its second round of sanctions in less than a week on people and firms in Africa who it says have provided financial or material support to the Islamic State group.

The latest financial penalties target South African entities, including one cell leader, Farhad Hoomer, accused of expressing “the will and intent to attack the interests of the United States,” the Treasury Department said in a statement. Last week, the U.S. sanctioned what it said was a Somali Islamic State weapons trafficking cell.

Government reports outline how the Islamic State group is expanding its presence in Africa, after the group faced defeats in Iraq and Syria. The State Department has designated nine groups worldwide as IS affiliates and foreign terrorist organizations.

In the latest action, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated four people and eight companies controlled by individuals that it said were in the South African Islamic State cell — including Nufael Akbar, Yunus Mohamad Akbar, Mohamad Akbar, and Umar Akbar. Their gold trading, construction and other firms are targeted for sanctions.

The move freezes and blocks any potential transactions with U.S. entities and prevents Americans from doing business with them.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement that “as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the United States will continue to partner with South Africa to deny ISIS the ability to exploit the country’s economy to raise and transfer funds in support of ISIS terrorist activities.”

The Islamic State group sometimes is known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

The Treasury Department last week issued financial and diplomatic sanctions against a weapons trafficking network affiliated with the Islamic State group in Somalia and the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which are accused of carrying out deadly terrorist acts on civilians including car bombings.


Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said the sanctions target “key individuals in ISIS’s network in South Africa, as well as their business assets, who have played pivotal roles in enabling terrorism and other criminal activities in the region.”

Source: Voice of America