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... 

Fundamentally disrupted

Peace is not merely the absence of war. Yet when conflicts rage, the foremost priority is always to find ways to stop the killing and the destruction of infrastructure. Only then is there any... 

R54bn performance-based grant launched to support metro infrastructure delivery

The National Treasury has officially launched a R54-billion performance-based grant in a bid to increase investments in water, sanitation, electricity and waste infrastructure services by the... 

PPC says ‘more to come’ from turnaround even if market stays 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,... 

Permanent cross-sector ‘transport council’ could drive higher growth – Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has proposed the establishment of a permanent ‘transport council’ to bring together government and the private sector across all the transport modes of land, air and sea.... 

Renewables-battery scenario proposed for saving ferrochrome while sustaining Eskom and reform momentum

A new analysis of the crisis being faced by South Africa’s ferrochrome industry as a result of uncompetitive electricity tariffs, outlines a possible renewables-battery-led scenario for meeting the... 

Rail localisation study launched as public and private train operators gear up to meet 250Mt target

A study has been launched to assess South Africa’s existing railways manufacturing capacity and capability and to make recommendations on how policy and procurement can be leveraged to bolster... 

Sasol to begin reducing external coal purchases as destoning plant raises quality

Energy and chemicals group Sasol is aiming to begin ramping up internal coal production and reducing external coal purchases after its destoning plant reached beneficial operation in December. CEO... 

Lucky for some

On Friday March 13, 1981, the first edition of Engineering News, then a fortnightly tabloid newspaper, officially made its debut as a specialist business-to-business publication. The date itself... 

Container User Forum aims to be unified voice for key sector as reforms unfold

A new industry organisation has been formally launched in a bid to facilitate greater collaboration among South Africa’s container stakeholders, as well as to provide a unified voice as the freight... 

TRIM invites private firms to bid to operate three rail sidings for ten years

South Africa’s Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) has initiated a process for private-sector entities to bid to operate and invest in three siding facilities for a period of ten years in... 

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... 

Nersa approves higher electricity hikes for 2026/27 after R54.7bn error

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has officially confirmed that the average tariff increase for Eskom direct customers will rise by 8.76% on April 1 and by 9.01% for... 

Itac may be given powers to probe imports that pose national security threat

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has published draft amendments to the International Trade Administration Act that will empower the International Trade Administration Commission... 

World Bank confirms $350m funding for South Africa’s credit guarantee vehicle

The World Bank Group has approved $350-million, or about R5.6-billion, to capitalise South Africa’s new credit guarantee vehicle (CGV), which is being established to mobilise private finance for... 

Lyra Energy begins construction of R4bn Thakadu solar PV plant

Construction has started on Lyra Energy’s inaugural 255 MW Thakadu solar PV plant, located on the border of South Africa’s Free State and North West provinces, after the R4-billion project reached... 

Anthem moves ahead with giant Free State PV project following offtake deals with two traders

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... 

Transnet starts process to find private partner for Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal

State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has initiated the first stage of a process to select a private partner for the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal (RBDBT), a key export terminal in... 

Urgent implementation of PPP investment model needed to halt multiyear slump – Seifsa

The multiyear slide in South Africa’s metals and engineering sector, which makes up about 25% of South Africa’s manufacturing sector and 5% of GDP, continued last year, the Steel and Engineering... 

Important shifts

The overarching theme of last week’s Budget was definitely the fiscal turning point that has now finally been reached. Debt is being stabilised and the trajectory of the deficit is narrowing,...