Minister comments on the departmental split
As an introduction to her first budget speech since last year's departmental reorganisation, Mrs Susan Shabangu, MP, Minister of Mineral Resources, gave a short résumé on the current situation.
Energy for Africa
I am increasingly confronted with the challenge of providing some form of commercial energy to the millions of Africans who are trapped in a situation of Energy Poverty. We know that the rural population is particularly affected with only about 5% of rural Africans having access to commercial energy.
Profile of Dr Chris Cooper, SANEA Director
In the previous SANEA Newsletter we gave a Board Member Opinion from Dr Chris Cooper, but unfortunately gave the credit to the wrong person (of the same name), for which we apologise.
To put the record straight and to avoid any confusion in the future, we have shown below a profile of our director.
Dr Chris Cooper has been involved in World Energy Council (WEC) activities since 1986 when he became a member of SANCWEC, the predecessor of SANEA.
Call for SANEA Energy Awards nominations
The South African National Energy Association (SANEA) continues to honour and celebrate the achievements of companies, organisations and individuals that are making an effort to ensure and contribute to a sustained and healthy South African Energy Sector. The prestigious SANEA banquet and awards ceremony will be held on the 26th of August 2010 and the closing date for candidate nominations is Friday, 28 May 2010.
Business information you can use
BusinessBrief is a business management magazine that provides decision-makers in business with the information they need to make better business decisions.
Of interest to the SANEA newsletter readers is that BusinessBrief will publish a feature on energy in its June/July 2010 edition. SANEA Members are invited to submit editorial material (max 1 A4 page) to Sarita Cronje (saritac@mweb.co.za) by 9 May 2010 for possible inclusion in this special feature. This is a unique opporunity to air your views and promote the work you are doing.
The publication has nine professional sections, which include Management, Legal, Tax, Finance & Equity, Assets & Investments, Banking & Insurance, Marketing & Selling, Human Capital, and Information Technology.
The publication is very editorially focused, with articles covering information such as recent legislation and court precedent, right through to new thinking, business methodologies, handy hints and survey information. Editorial is written by professionals and consultants in an easy to read style - free of jargon, buzzwords and legalese.
Sasol approves construction of new ethylene purification unit
The board of Sasol Limited has recently approved the construction of a R1,9-billion ethylene purification unit at its Sasol Polymers plant in Sasolburg. The plant is expected to go on stream in the second half of 2013 and will be up to full capacity by 2015.
SACRM now legally constituted
At the first Board meeting of the SA Coal Road Map (SACRM) held on 23 March 2010 it was noted that now the Government has nominated a representative to the initiative through the Department of Energy, SACRM is now a legally constituted entity.
Multilateral banks ready to mobilise climate finance
The World Bank has announced that the leading Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held a meeting recently at the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg to map out their plans for supporting a sustainable global recovery, and agreed that the Copenhagen Accord is an opportunity for action to finance measures to combat climate change.
Colorado passes bill on natural gas power plants
Bill Ritter, the Governor of Colorado, USA, recently signed into law a bill that could trade coal power plants for natural gas-powered ones, utilising a plan he devised in conjunction with the Front Range utility, Xcel Energy.
Document wasn't secret
Eskom recently issued a press statement refuting that the so-called secret dossier that was leaked to the Democratic Alliance is an internal monthly business report which the company uses to track progress on its projects.
Don't miss Wind Power Africa 2010!
In conjunction with the African Wind Energy Association and in partnership with other African and international associations, South Africa will be hosting Wind Power Africa 2010 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 12 - 14 May.
A new era for renewable energy
The Renewable Energy Africa (REA) Conference and Expo, an applied constructive conference and interactive exhibition, will give renewable energy in South Africa and Africa a voice in 2010. Introduced to provide a platform for interaction between role players in the industry from all fields related to renewable energy, REA has been scheduled to run from 9th to 11th November at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Seminars for mining and industry
Energy efficiency and energy saving
A sustainable systems approach to industrial electricity management
Editor's Letter
I recently attended SANEA's April event and once again reminded myself why I always enjoy attending: the networking opportunity with industry leaders, the exciting vibe and, above all, the valuable information we are presented. This year alone, I have heard speakers of international caliber, including Dr Rob Adam, Dr Robert Whitney, Chairman of the Energy Federation of New Zealand, Fred Goede, Manager Health and Environment, Sasol Group Services and Wendy Poulton, GM Sustainability and Innovation at Eskom. The subject matter varies and every event leaves my mind brimming with new ideas and a sounder view of the current energy environment. Therefore, I would like to encourage you all to support and attend these events, but register early as they are generally far more popular than seating allows!
