Transfer of provincial roads to Sanral ‘not a sustainable long-term strategy’

The transferral since 2013 of 13 000 km of provincial roads to South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) for management and maintenance “is not a sustainable long-term strategy”. This... 

Creecy highlights private prospects in freight logistics on eve of rail announcement

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that major private sector participation (PSP) projects in the freight logistics sector will be brought to market in the current financial year and... 

Fall in applications by firms for import duty changes may signal ‘loss of faith’

A leading trade consultancy is warning that the recent sharp decline in applications for duty investigations may be a signal that South African companies are losing faith in the country’s trade... 

Anthem’s 20 MW solar project in Eswatini advances to financial close

South African renewable-energy company Anthem reports that it has reached financial close on the 20 MW Tsamela solar PV project in Eswatini, which is seeking to increase domestic generation... 

Draft masterplan outlines R2-trillion vision for restoring rail as ‘backbone’ by 2050

The Draft National Rail Master Plan released by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy for public comment outlines an ambitious R2-trillion vision for repositioning South Africa’s underperforming rail... 

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... 

Policy conundrum

At the start of South Africa’s democratic era, the availability of cheap coal-fired electricity emerged as the country’s main instrument for attracting investors. It seems almost unbelievable now,... 

TNPA seeks private operator for Port of Cape Town’s liquid bulk terminal

South Africa’s State-owned ports authority has initiated a bidding process for the appointment of a new private terminal operator at the Port of Cape Town’s existing liquid bulk terminal for a... 

New initiative aims to grow pipeline of ‘bankable’ water and sanitation projects

A newly formed government agency set up to mobilise private sector participation in public infrastructure has concluded a cooperation agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in a... 

South Africa poised for record IPP deployments in 2026

South Africa’s utility-scale renewables and battery storage market is poised for a record year of installations, a new research note produced by the Power Futures Lab at the UCT Graduate School of... 

€300m AFD loan to assist Transnet’s transition to low-carbon operating model

State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has signed a €300-million (R5.8-billion) with Agence française de développement (AFD) to support its transition to a low-carbon operating model. The... 

NTCSA, IDC seek to catalyse localisation on back of big grid roll-out

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at unlocking industrial financing to... 

IMF says Middle East 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... 

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... 

Supply lines

South Africa has not escaped the fuel price shocks associated with disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz energy corridor and the damage to refinery and other infrastructure in the Gulf.... 

Nersa aims to make ferrochrome tariff call by end May as it launches public consultations

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has set aside May 25 for public hearings into Eskom’s application to amend negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) with Samancor Chrome and... 

Sasol optimistic of market demand for Natref’s premium SAF and renewable diesel

Energy and chemicals group Sasol, which recently secured product-sustainability certification for jet fuel and diesel produced from used cooking oil and vegetable oils at its Natref refinery, says... 

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... 

Full disclosure

Given its recent history, the fact that Eskom is even able to contemplate entering into a 62c/kWh tariff deal with the ferrochrome industry is remarkable. It is a clear indication of how far the... 

Draft masterplan outlines R2-trillion vision for restoring rail as 'backbone' by 2050

The Draft National Rail Master Plan released by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy for public comment outlines an ambitious R2-trillion vision for repositioning South Africa’s underperforming rail... 

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...