Category: Energy & Power

Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says collaboration between government, business and society is imperative if South Africa is to overcome the current electricity crisis gripping the nation.

The Minister was speaking during the launch of the Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF).

The RMF is a collaborative effort between government and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) to provide resources and expertise that will assist government to fully implement the Energy Action Plan.

“The establishment of the Resource Mobilisation Fund is a significant step in this regard. It is only through a collective national effort that we will be able to end load shedding and enable our economy to grow.

“The RMF is an example of the collaborative approach between government and social partners which the President has always prioritised. Most importantly, it shows what we can achieve if we roll up our sleeves and go beyond debate and discussion to engage in real, practical action on the issues that confront our society,” he said.

Ramokgopa explained that the fund is expected to play a critical role in assisting government to implement government’s Energy Action Plan (EAP) with more drive.

“The RMF will provide crucial expertise and resources to turbocharge the work of NECOM [National Energy Crisis Committee] and ensure that we put the best minds in our country and indeed across the world to work on this problem.

“The tremendous support which this initiative has already received from businesses and philanthropies alike is evidence that we can work together as Team South Africa to get our country back on track. We look forward to a strong partnership with the RMF as we move to ensure swift and full implementation of the President’s plan,” he said.

Minister Ramokgopa said although the RMF comes as a boon for turning around the current energy crisis, government has already been hard at work to bring more urgently needed megawatts onto the power grid.

 

Source: Nam News Network

Water supply pipes in the Schaapkraal area in Philippi have recently been upgraded. Two temporary shut downs are required to safely connect the new pipelines to the existing water supply network. Test runs have to be done before each of the main shutdowns, to check the valves and pressure and impact of the shutdown.

 

For properties along the corner of Vlei Road and Olieboom Road; corner of Kraal Road and Olieboom Road; Kraal Road and North of Olieboom Road; Eighth Avenue:

 

The test run will be on Tuesday, 6 December 2022. There may be a short 30 to 60 minute supply interruption between 09:00 and 18:00.

The disruption will be on Thursday, 8 December 2022, from 09:00 until 18:00. Water supply will be shut off for these streets, but will be available from standpipes in the surrounding streets.

For properties along the corner of Strandfontein and Farm Field Road, Schaap Road, Schaap and First Avenue; Vlei and Middle Roads:

The test run will be on Friday, 9 December 2022. There may be a short 30 to 60 minute supply interruption between 09:00 and 18:00.

The disruption will be on Tuesday, 13 December 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00. Water supply will be shut off for these streets, but will be available from stand pipes in the surrounding streets.

Residents are kindly advised to:

Store water upfront in clean, sealed containers for use during this period.

Ensure taps are closed to avoid water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.

Get updates on the City’s Twitter account @CityofCTAlerts, or contact the City: WhatsApp: 060 018 1505; email water@capetown.gov.za or call: 0860 103 089.

This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive pipe replacement programme which addresses the need for water supply network upgrades, in particular the distribution system to the consumers.

 

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused, but it is imperative that it upgrades and maintains its water supply infrastructure to benefit its consumers. If there are complications with this upgrade, it may take longer for water supply to be restored.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town

South Africa requires an initial funding of about R1.5 trillion to transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society for the five-year period 2023–2027, says Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) Commissioner Joanne Yawitch.

 

Addressing a hybrid Special Sitting on Understanding the contents of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), Yawitch said achieving the JET IP outcomes is dependent on the scale and nature of financial support that South Africa can secure from the international community to complement domestic resources.

 

“At the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) in 2021, a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) was forged with France, Germany, United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States (forming the International Partners Group [IPG]) in which the IPG undertook to mobilise US$8.5 billion (~ ZAR 128 billion) over five years to support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.

 

“The initial IPG offer of US$8.5 billion is thus a catalytic contribution towards addressing the JET IP priorities,” she said.

 

The IPG funds will be primarily directed towards the electricity sector for the decommissioning of coal plants; the expansion and strengthening of the transmission grid and distribution infrastructure; supporting economic diversification in affected coal mining areas and the deployment of renewable energy.

 

The IPG US$8.5bilion offer comprises grants, concessional and commercial loans, and guarantee instruments, contributing to approximately 12% of South Africa’s JET IP funding needs for the period.

 

“South Africa’s dependence on fossil fuels gives rise to a range of climate, energy and transition risks, especially for affected workers, communities, businesses and exporters.

 

“However, embracing new economic opportunities in green technologies can drive industrial development and innovation, leading to a sustainable and resilient future with decent work, social inclusion and lower levels of poverty,” Yawitch said.

 

The JET IP represents the initial building blocks of managing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition and climate response, which will be a managed, phased, long-term process of economic, social, and environmental change.

 

It will involve multi-year, multi-sectoral, and multi-jurisdictional initiatives with many stakeholders, including significant capacity building to manage the scale of the Just Energy Transition.

 

“Implementation must be based on solid foundations for a sustained, focused, and visible effort across government, civil society, trade unions and the private sector that can adapt as needed over time. It will be grounded in existing South African institutions and systems and will adopt both local and global best practice,” Yawitch said.

 

The JET IP is premised on South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, with its focus on tackling the country’s systemic challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

 

It is in line with South Africa’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which was lodged with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) prior to its 26th Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow in November 2021, and South Africa’s long-term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) submitted to the UNFCCC in 2020.

 

The NDC commits the country to reducing its emissions to within a range of 420-350 megatons carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2-eq) by 2030.

 

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

South Africa requires an initial funding of about R1.5 trillion to transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society for the five-year period 2023–2027, says Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) Commissioner Joanne Yawitch.

 

Addressing a hybrid Special Sitting on Understanding the contents of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) on Thursday, Yawitch said achieving the JET IP outcomes is dependent on the scale and nature of financial support that South Africa can secure from the international community to complement domestic resources.

 

“At the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) in 2021, a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) was forged with France, Germany, United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States (forming the International Partners Group [IPG]) in which the IPG undertook to mobilise US$8.5 billion (~ ZAR 128 billion) over five years to support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.

 

“The initial IPG offer of US$8.5 billion is thus a catalytic contribution towards addressing the JET IP priorities,” she said.

 

The IPG funds will be primarily directed towards the electricity sector for the decommissioning of coal plants; the expansion and strengthening of the transmission grid and distribution infrastructure; supporting economic diversification in affected coal mining areas and the deployment of renewable energy.

 

The IPG US$8.5bilion offer comprises grants, concessional and commercial loans, and guarantee instruments, contributing to approximately 12% of South Africa’s JET IP funding needs for the period.

 

“South Africa’s dependence on fossil fuels gives rise to a range of climate, energy and transition risks, especially for affected workers, communities, businesses and exporters.

 

“However, embracing new economic opportunities in green technologies can drive industrial development and innovation, leading to a sustainable and resilient future with decent work, social inclusion and lower levels of poverty,” Yawitch said.

 

The JET IP represents the initial building blocks of managing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition and climate response, which will be a managed, phased, long-term process of economic, social, and environmental change.

 

It will involve multi-year, multi-sectoral, and multi-jurisdictional initiatives with many stakeholders, including significant capacity building to manage the scale of the Just Energy Transition.

 

“Implementation must be based on solid foundations for a sustained, focused, and visible effort across government, civil society, trade unions and the private sector that can adapt as needed over time. It will be grounded in existing South African institutions and systems and will adopt both local and global best practice,” Yawitch said.

 

The JET IP is premised on South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, with its focus on tackling the country’s systemic challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

 

It is in line with South Africa’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which was lodged with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) prior to its 26th Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow in November 2021, and South Africa’s long-term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) submitted to the UNFCCC in 2020.

 

The NDC commits the country to reducing its emissions to within a range of 420-350 megatons carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2-eq) by 2030.

 

 

Source: South African Government News Agency

Intervention on Water Crisis in Zululand District Municipality – Mandlakazi Scheme

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu came into office in August 2021; part of his overarching commitment was to accelerate some of the regional bulk water schemes that have been moving at a snail’s pace for the last decades. These bulk schemes are the  Loskop Regional Bulk Scheme [Mpumalanga/Limpopo], Nandoni to Nsami Regional Scheme in Giyani [Limpopo], Vaal Gamagara Water Scheme (Northern Cape), Ludeke Dam and Regional Scheme in Alfred Nzo District Municipality [Eastern Cape], The Ebenezer Olifants Integrated Bulk Scheme [Polokwane_ Limpopo], The Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2, uMkhomazi Water Project (KZN), Xhariep Dam Pipeline (Free State),  Dinokana Water Services  (North West), to name a few (all these schemes have been accelerated in various ways from planning to funding allocations).

The Mandlakazi Regional Bulk Scheme is part of the priority list of projects that the Minister identified as key for unlocking socio-economic development in the quest for the Natonal Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goal 6 for 2030. The project started back in 2015 and had a positive spin-off to areas under uMkhanyakude District Municipality as well. The scope covered upgrading of water treatment works from 10ML/day to 30ML/day, laying-up of bulk main for over 30km, construction of various reservoirs and pump stations. The project also extends to providing water to further areas outside Zululand District Municipality such as Esiphambanweni, which is planned to benefit as early as next year under the accelerated Phase 6 of Mandlakazi Scheme.

The scheme requires an additional funding of R2.3 billion. The Minister firstly met with Inkosi Zulu of Mandlakazi and his Traditional Council and later with the whole community, all of whom raised their grievances on water challenges in the area. To date, subsequent to the Minister’s engagement with the Zululand Business Forum and His Majesty, King Misizulu, the Minister established a technical task team in his Department to conduct technical evaluation on current progress made and what technical delay the scheme was facing. The technical team met on the 27 September 2022 and had a follow-up site visit on the 26 October 2022. The team inspected the whole pipe route and further opportunities in Phase 6 as planned.

It is also worth noting that Zululand has been receiving direct grants under the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant framework under the Division of Revenue (DORA) for these scheme years before. After assessment and the criticality of the current water challenges experienced by not less than over 200 000 residents in these two municipalities, it was technically decided to increase the funding allocations to help accelerate completion of the scheme at least within the next 2 to 3 years. The Department, as the custodian of water and sanitation in the Republic, will provide oversight to the District to make sure that the allocation is utilised efficiently to achieve the intended objective.

It is therefore worth noting, that the Department of Water and Sanitation is striving towards acceleration of these and many other schemes in the country.

 

 

 

Source: Government of South Africa

The City’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department would like to inform residents in Muizenberg that a planned necessary electricity interruption will be carried out on Saturday, 10 December 2022 from 21:00 to 08:00 the following day, or on Saturday, 21 January 2023 from 21:00 to 08:00, depending on weather conditions, but not on both days. This is critical maintenance to a major substation in the area, which needs to be carried out.

 

The interruption will enable City officials to carry out the necessary maintenance work at the Main Substation in Muizenberg. This substation supplies Muizenberg and parts of the immediate vicinity.

 

We thank our customers for their understanding. To view the area outage map, visit:

 

Please note the affected areas are highlighted in blue: http://bit.ly/3VfRnC1

 

‘The City will be carrying our essential maintenance at the Muizenberg Main Substation and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We thank residents for their cooperation and understanding,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

 

Residents may visit the City’s website to view the map of the affected streets, or may contact the Electricity Department’s Technical Operations Centre on 0860 103 089 for more information or for enquiries.

Please note:

The electricity supply could be restored at any time and customers must please treat all electrical installations as live for the full duration of the interruption.

 

Residents are encouraged to switch off appliances as a precaution and to avoid damage caused by power surges when the power comes back on.

 

Contact the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 for more information or if you have any enquiries regarding the planned electricity supply interruption.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town

The City’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department would like to advise residents in the Langverwacht area that a necessary electricity supply interruption will be carried out on Saturday, 10 December 2022, from 07:00 to 16:30. This is critical maintenance to a major substation which needs to be carried out. The maintenance work ensures reliable electricity supply for residents in the area.

 

‘The interruption will enable City officials to carry out the necessary maintenance work. The City apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks residents for their cooperation. This particular substation supplies electricity to parts of Langverwacht. City teams are on the ground daily in areas across the metro to complete essential maintenance and upgrades to electricity infrastructure,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

 

To view the area outage map, visit: http://bit.ly/3GO8uq9

 

Please note:

 

 

 

The electricity supply could be restored at any time and customers must please treat all electrical installations as live for the full duration of the interruption.

 

Residents are encouraged to switch off appliances as a precaution and to avoid damage caused by power surges when the power comes back on.

 

Contact the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 for more information or if you have any enquiries regarding the planned electricity supply interruption.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town