Back to basics!
I, like so many South Africans, feel really proud of the impression we created as host nation for the World Cup. WEC colleagues from around the world have commented on the wonderful atmosphere and it has encouraged them to review their own perceptions of our country.
Board member opinion: Ernst Venter
Ernst Venter, executive general manager of business growth at Exxaro Resources Limited and a SANEA board member, writes about key energy issues that he is passionate about:
Scoring for Africa - An Alternative Guide to the World Cup
Former UN Secretary-General and Chairperson of the Africa Progress Panel, Kofi Annan, and United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador and football star Didier Drogba have published Scoring for Africa - An Alternative Guide to the World Cup.
New cap on Gulf well successful
On 15 July, BP announced that a tightly-fitted cap was successfully placed onto the broken well, keeping oil from flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. This victory was part of a pressure test that involved the closing of a series of valves on the wellhead.
Siemens to invest €200-million in Africa within the next two years
Siemens plans to significantly boost its commitment to Africa by making an additional investment of roughly €200-million in the next two years to expand its business and sales structures on the continent. The first large-scale wind and solar projects in Africa will probably be announced later this year after several countries have created the political conditions required (such as Morocco, whicho plans to invest US$9-billion in renewable power generation).
American nuclear plants operate at exceptional levels to stabilise grid
As summer hits America, the eastern United States suffered record-breaking triple-digit temperatures threatening brownouts and blackouts. The nation's nuclear power plants, however, have posted an average operating capacity of 97 percent duringon 4-7 July.
AREVA signs agreement for third clean energy park project
The province of New Brunswick, the utility New Brunswick Power and AREVA have signed a letter of intent to develop a clean energy park near the Point Lepreau nuclear station in Canada. The site will feature a mid-sized generation III+ nuclear plant and renewable energy sources all built by AREVA.
Zambian electricity prices threaten mines
Zambia, Africa's largest copper producer, plans to raise prices in a bid to gradually shift to more viable electricity tariffs to raise money for investment in new power facilities. On 9 July, www.zambianwatchdog.com reported that if state power utility Zesco introduces these higher tariffs, foreign mining companies operating old mines in the country may be forced to shut down some of their operations.
Power pools within Sub-Saharan Africa offers greater supply security - Frost & Sullivan
The development of regional power pools within Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to secure electricity supply across the continent. However, says Growth Partnership Company Frost & Sullivan, there is a current lack of regulatory procedures and legal framework for the coordination of infrastructure development.
Sasol signs JV to find gas in Karoo Basin
On 19 July, petrochemicals giant Sasol announced it will join forces with Statoil ASA and Chesapeake Energy Corporation to explore for shale gas in South Africa's Karoo Basin. The South African company has submitted the application to the Petroleum Agency (SA) Ltd and it expects that it will take approximately 12 months to process.
Electricity and water regulation course
Managing Reform and Regulation in the Electricity and Water Sectors
4 - 8 October 2010
Exciting upcoming energy events
SANEA has several exciting new events coming up in the next month, including a presentation by Scott Brodsky, a partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf (Pty) Ltd on the latest developments on SA's REFIT programme, a Durban presentation on The Mondi Multi-Fuel Bubbling Fluid Bed boiler plant by David L Brook, technical director at Babcock Africa, the acclaimed annual "Action for Energy" two-day event and, of course, the prestigious SANEA Energy Awards ceremony to be held at Montecasino at the end of the month. Look out for the winners in the next newsletter.
