Thursday, 27 August

Dear <<First Name>>

Energy customers in South Africa were given a rare cause for optimism this week as the government issued a call for proposals for 2GW of emergency power to help deal with the country’s chronic energy shortage. 

Regular load shedding as a result of unreliable coal-fired plants failing to meet demand has damaged the country’s economy and taken its toll on customers now desperate for solutions.

But as the government awaits the industry’s response it must be resistant to falling back on the thermal energy solutions of old, and recognise the huge role that renewables can - and should - play in the country’s recovery. 

Renewable energy has been shown to be a cost-effective and viable alternative to coal-based power generation in South Africa, particularly in light of falling generation costs and the demonstrated willingness of private investors to fund renewable energy projects under the government’s REIPPPP.

Given the urgency of South Africa’s power crisis, and in the context of an economy ravaged by the impacts of Covid-19, the government’s call for proposals presents a unique opportunity for South Africa to finally realise the full potential of its abundant natural resources and regain its position as a world leader in the transition to a more climate-resilient future powered by renewable energy.

Cheers

Geoff

Managing Director, Camco Clean Energy

West Africa

Benin: Greenlight Planet and ARESS start project to electrify 5,000 households using solar power (Afrik21)
- Installations mark the first phase of project ‘Eureka’, which is supported by the Millennium Challenge Account Benin II programme. 

Burkina Faso: Government and Millennium Challenge Corporation sign US$450 million deal to increase electricity access (ESI)
- Government to invest a further US$50 million towards the compact’s projects, which aim to address high costs, poor quality and low energy access for an estimated 8 million people.

Nigeria: Off-grid solar tender launched (PV-Magazine)
- Ministry of Power accepting bids for the construction of seven installations in underserved areas.

East Africa

DRC: Government announces plans for a 600MW solar park (PV-Magazine)
- Project will be the first in a series of 1GW of solar parks located around DRC’s capital, Kinshasa.

Ethiopia: Ethiopian and Sudanese government's pledge to push for deal on Blue Nile dam (Engineering News)
- Sudanese officials and AfDB mediators continue to play a prominent role in resolving the dispute.

Ethiopia: Country’s first ever PPP programme will commence with the construction of solar plants (ENA)
- Eight solar and five hydropower projects to be constructed in first phase, with a further five wind projects envisioned for second phase.

Uganda: Sendea electrifies 35 health stations in rural areas (Sun-Connect)
- Installations will directly impact 35,000 people and also assist the short-term disaster relief in areas affected by recent flooding.

Southern Africa

Botswana and Namibia set to sign deal to build up to 5GW of solar power (Engineering News)
- Project will utilise both countries’ abundant solar resources and help diversify the region's energy mix.

South Africa: Government seeks proposals for 2GW of emergency power as Eskom woes continue (IOL)
- Department of Energy says request for proposals issued to help plug a severe energy shortage.

Africa - general

Algeria: Country plans to install over 1GW of new solar capacity (Energy Mix Report)
- Two programmes of 500MW each are planned and will consist of numerous small-scale projects.

Egypt: Government signs agreement with alliance of companies to install 250MW wind farm (Renewables Now)
- Project will require EUR228 million in investment and is expected to be built and connected within three years.

Rest of World

Wind: Global offshore wind capacity increases by 2.5GW in H12020 (renews.biz)
- Increase led by the opening of 10 new wind farms in Europe, China and the US.

General: China leads global output of solar and wind (renews.biz)
- Country accounts for 28.7% of global wind production and 31.9% of solar production.

General: Portugal's solar energy auction sets record low power price (Reuters)
- One of the winning bids for output was set at EUR0.011/KWh.


Story of the Week image courtesy of Azwi

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