Eskom says ferrochrome offer will leave it financially better off

Eskom board member Clive Le Roux says the State-owned company will be in a better position financially by selling electricity to the ferrochrome smelters at 62c/kWh than if that demand was lost... 

New policy paper to offer ‘single window’ into South Africa’s electricity reform agenda

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that government is finalising an electricity reform policy paper in a bid to offer a “single-window overview of the sector's reform... 

South Africa’s pipeline of advanced wind projects stands at 17 GW – GWEC

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) remains optimistic about prospects for ongoing growth in South Africa, stating in its newly released ‘Global Wind Report 2026’ that the country has about 17 GW... 

R1.4bn Mercury BESS project scheduled to enter into operation in Q4 2027

Independent power producer Mulilo reports that construction of its R1.4-billion Mercury battery energy storage system (BESS) project will begin soon and that the facility is scheduled to enter into... 

Industry body confirms shift in sources of South African fuel imports

The Fuel Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA) has confirmed that fuel imports for the period from April to June will increasingly be sourced from regions outside of the Gulf and that there... 

Basic Fuel Price formula in focus amid dramatic shift in South Africa’s supply sources

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), which is now preparing for a prolonged period of fuel supply and pricing pressure as a result of the damage to energy infrastructure during... 

National Rail Bill being prepared in bid to embed reforms – Creecy

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy reports that she intends seeking Cabinet approval for a new National Rail Bill during the 2026/27 financial year and that the Bill will aim to embed in legislation... 

Big lingering questions

During the most recent energy crisis – triggered by attacks by the US and Israel on Iran that resulted in the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz energy corridor ahead of a tenuous ceasefire – one... 

Nersa aims to decide on Eskom’s 62c/kWh ferrochrome tariff offer by end of June

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has confirmed that it received an application from Eskom on April 10 in relation to a 62c/kWh tariff offer for the ferrochrome sector and has... 

IMF says war should spur faster adoption of renewable energy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the war in the Middle East, which has precipitated an energy crisis similar in scale to the 1970s oil crisis, should spur countries to accelerate their... 

IMF cuts South Africa’s growth outlook amid mounting war-linked energy crisis

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its 2026 growth projection for the South African economy to only 1% from a January projection of 1.4%, as it warned that the outbreak of war in the... 

Mulilo says Middlepunt PV plant to supply cheapest REIPPPP-procured electricity

South African independent power producer Mulilo reports that its 337 MWdc Middlepunt solar PV plant will deliver electricity at R458/MWh when it enters into commercial operation in the coming 24... 

IMF, World Bank, IEA warn that fuel prices may remain high for prolonged period

The heads of the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank Group have jointly warned that fuel and fertiliser prices may remain high for a prolonged... 

Eskom and ferrochrome producers strike 62c/kWh deal, with Nersa process to follow

Electricity utility Eskom has announced the conclusion of a much-anticipated 62c/kWh electricity tariff deal with ferrochrome producers Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture and Samancor Chrome. The... 

Launch of SAWEM delayed, but NTCSA says preparations are well advanced

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has confirmed that the target date of April 1, 2026, for the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) will not be met,... 

Transnet expects to report rail volumes of 168 Mt in 2025/26, with reforms key to meeting 250 Mt goal

Transnet is expecting to report rail volumes of about 168-million tons for the 2025/26 financial year, above the 160.1-million tons of the prior year but below the “stretch target” of 180-million... 

Power play

A stand-out statement in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s February 12 State of the Nation Address (SoNA) was the following: “We are restructuring Eskom and establishing a fully independent State-owned... 

Mulilo’s Mercury battery storage project achieves financial close

South African independent power producer Mulilo, which announced at the recent South Africa Investment Conference that it would be investing R15-billion in new renewables and storage projects,... 

Big container recovery required if South Africa is to meet 250Mt rail target

Meeting the South African government’s target of moving 250-million tons of freight yearly on rail by 2030 will be achieved only if there is a significant recovery in general freight volumes, which... 

Ferrochrome venture again extends retrenchment deadline following Eskom request

The Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture has agreed to further extend the date for the termination of Section 189 retrenchment consultations under way with workers at its ferrochrome smelters – this time... 

PPC says ‘more to come’ from turnaround even if market remains subdued

PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli says there is “more to come” from the cement producer’s operational and financial turnaround regardless of whether market conditions, which have remained subdued during... 

Anthem already mulling addition of batteries at 475 MW Notsi PV project

Anthem CEO James Cumming says there is a “high probability” of a battery energy storage system (BESS) being integrated into its massive 475 MWac (620 MWdc) Notsi solar PV project in the Free State,... 

Time to get serious

The discussion about the future of South Africa's domestic oil refinery fleet is a long and complicated one. It has naturally flared again because of the security of supply concerns associated with... 

Cabinet offers fuel assurances as task team mulls response measures

President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a Ministerial Task Team to coordinate government’s response to the impact on the cost of living, fuel and food security because of the disruptions to... 

National rail and airport development plans released for comment

Cabinet has approved the release of the draft National Rail Master Plan (NRMP), described as the strategic plan to guide the revitalisation, expansion and modernisation of South Africa’s rail... 

Green energy features prominently at 2026 investment gathering

Investment commitments by South African and international renewables investors featured prominently at the sixth South Africa Investment Conference, with combined pledges of more than R50-billion... 

Ramaphosa highlights the investment prospects being unlocked by ‘irreversible’ reforms

President Cyril Ramaphosa used the 2026 edition of the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) to highlight the new prospects being opened to domestic and foreign investors by the country’s... 

Optimistic of ‘workable’ tariff solution, Glencore Merafe agrees to week-long Section 189 extension

The Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture has agreed to again delay a retrenchment process under way at its ferrochrome smelters after Eskom formally requested an extension to conclude internal governance... 

National Rail Bill being prepared in bid to embed reforms – Creecy

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy reports that she intends seeking Cabinet approval for a new National Rail Bill during the 2026/27 financial year and that the Bill will aim to embed in legislation... 

Eskom says delayed Medupi FGD report to be submitted to Minister in early April

Eskom expects to submit its final benefit-cost analysis (BCA) report on flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) at the Medupi power station, in Limpopo, to Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister... 

Performance focus

That many of South Africa’s 257 municipalities are in crisis is not in question. Also painfully clear is that many metropolitan councils, which oversee the country’s six largest cities of... 

Launch of SAWEM delayed, but NTCSA says preparations are well advanced

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has confirmed that the target date of April 1, 2026, for the launch of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) will not be met,... 

Energy Council says ‘phased transition’ to State-owned TSO needed to mitigate risks

The Energy Council of South Africa has reiterated its support for the creation of an independent, State-owned Transmission System Operator (TSO), but has also called for a “phased transition” to... 

Diesel disruptions and early hikes point to possible gap in pricing framework

Government and the liquid fuels industry insist that recent disruptions to diesel supply in parts of South Africa are not related to a physical shortage of the fuel in the country. However, the... 

Glencore Merafe confirms counter proposal to Eskom’s ‘unworkable’ 62c/kWh conditions

The Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture has confirmed that it has submitted a “final counterproposal” to Eskom in relation to the terms and conditions associated with the electricity utility’s 62c/kWh... 

Reviewed electricity pricing policy to be released for comment within weeks

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says a revised electricity pricing policy will be released for public comment in the coming few weeks. Delivering a statement to the... 

Transnet expects to report rail volumes of 168 Mt in 2025/26, with reforms key to meeting 250 Mt goal

Transnet is expecting to report rail volumes of about 168-million tons for the 2025/26 financial year, above the 160.1-million tons of the prior year but below the “stretch target” of 180-million... 

Tau says hostile geopolitics won’t thwart investment event that could attract 65-plus in new pledges

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has expressed confidence that the upcoming South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) will not be undermined by hostile geopolitical developments,... 

Govt, industry insist there is no risk to fuel supply amid ‘panic buying’ fears

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the Fuels Industry Association have issued a joint statement urging South Africans not to engage in any “panic-buying” of fuel, insisting that... 

Anthem moves ahead with giant Free State PV project following offtake agreements

Leading South African independent power producer Anthem has announced that its giant 475 MWac (620 MWdc) Notsi solar PV project in the Free State has advanced to financial close after concluding...