Latest news with #Eskom-owned
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Eskom's clean energy era begins with 291MW solar drive
Eskom continues to develop a balanced energy mix, including coal, nuclear, gas, renewables, and energy storage solutions such as battery energy storage systems and pumped hydro. Image: Matt McClain | The Washington Post Eskom has taken a major step in shifting South Africa's energy mix with the launch of its first Renewable Energy Offtake Programme. The initiative invites large power users to procure 291MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) from Eskom-owned renewable energy sites. The programme follows an expression of interest process and extensive engagement with commercial and industrial customers, which showed strong demand for direct contracting through PPAs. These agreements allow businesses to align with global sustainability standards, reduce carbon footprints, and green supply chains, boosting competitiveness. Electricity generation and distribution both showed slight declines in June 2025 compared with the same period last year, although overall output and consumption edged up in the second quarter compared with the first. The launch of the offtake programme, particularly focused on solar PV, is part of Eskom's push to stabilise supply while increasing renewable capacity. Crown Prince Adil Nchabeleng, independent energy expert, has estimated that less than 1% of households have solar, making the point that most solar subsidies have gone to big businesses and not households. He added that the subsidies were limited to panels and didn't include other aspects such as batteries. In a world where energy dynamics are constantly shifting, Sakhile Ngcongwane, Business Development Manager at SolarAfrica, said that renewable energy is no longer confined to the simplistic installation of a few rooftop panels. Successful bidders will enter PPAs ranging from five to 25 years, with energy delivered in phases from multiple Eskom projects. The first project is expected to reach commercial operation by December 2027. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'This is the next step in the focused execution of our strategy to integrate additional renewable energy into the grid, in line with global electricity industry trends for environmentally sustainable solutions,' said Eskom CEO Dan Marokane. Marokane noted that, 'just over a year into our turnaround strategy, we are not only focused on ending loadshedding but are also pivoting Eskom into a sustainable and competitive company while ensuring security of supply through a customer-centric approach'. Eskom Distribution acting group executive Agnes Mlambo added, 'by offering customised renewable energy offtake solutions, we are enabling our customers to transition to low-carbon operations while ensuring a secure and competitive supply. Engaging with the private sector in this structured manner gives impetus to Eskom's efforts to create a sustainable pathway for clean power integration into the grid.' Eskom continues to develop a balanced energy mix, including coal, nuclear, gas, renewables, and energy storage solutions such as battery energy storage systems and pumped hydro. A dedicated renewable energy business will accelerate deployment, targeting 2GW of construction-ready projects by 2026 and scaling up to 32GW, including Green Hydrogen, by 2040. IOL Business
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom launches Renewable Energy Programme to make SA green
Eskom said it has issued a Request for Proposal inviting large power users to procure 291MW of Solar Photovoltaic capacity. Eskom has launched what it calls the first-ever Renewable Energy Offtake Programme to boost the use of green power, transitioning its generation mix from predominantly coal to a blended portfolio with an increasing proportion of clean energy sources. The parastatal said the initiative is part of its strategic objective to facilitate a 'competitive future energy industry'. RFP Eskom said it has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), inviting large power users to procure 291MW of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) capacity through long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) from Eskom-owned renewable energy sites. 'Successful bidders will enter PPAs ranging from 5 to 25 years, with renewable energy delivered in phases from multiple Eskom projects. The earliest project is expected to reach commercial operation by December 2027.' ALSO READ: Electricity demand 'met 97% of the time' this winter, Eskom says Renewable energy Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, said the programme is a step forward in renewable energy. 'This is the next step in the focused execution of our strategy to integrate additional renewable energy into the grid, in line with global electricity industry trends for environmentally sustainable solutions that support broader decarbonisation objectives. 'Just over a year into our turnaround strategy, we are not only focused on ending load shedding but are also pivoting Eskom into a sustainable and competitive company while ensuring security of supply through a customer-centric approach,' said Marokane. Making SA green Last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about making South Africa greener during his opening of Parliament address. 'As we undertake a just transition towards renewable energy, South Africa must create a green manufacturing sector centred on the export of green hydrogen and associated products, electric vehicles and renewable energy components. 'Work is underway to set up a Special Economic Zone in Boegoebaai to drive investment in green hydrogen energy projects,' Ramaphosa said. Sun power Ramaphosa also discussed harnessing the sun's power, which would significantly ease the energy crisis. 'South Africa has some of the best solar and wind resources in the world…Just this week, we saw the largest-ever private energy project connect to the grid near Lichtenburg in the North West, with over 390,000 solar panels that will add 256 MW to the grid.' Eskom said a dedicated renewable energy business will accelerate deployment, targeting 2GW of construction-ready projects by 2026 and scaling up to 32GW, including Green Hydrogen, by 2040. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa commits to work with Portugal on renewable energy
