IEA says BP oil spill was avoidable
"According to the International Energy Agency, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is an environmental disaster caused by human error which could have been avoided. This is a catastrophe that could have been avoided," said Nobuo Tanaka, IEA Director-General, at a press conference on the occasion of publication of the agency's medium-term outlook for the oil market on 23 June. "We have to wait until the investigation."
Renewable Energy has a role in reducing energy poverty
By Thulani S. Gcabashe
It has long been recognised that affordable, clean and accessible energy is a prerequisite for development. This has been demonstrated by the successful Asian economies which have rapidly moved up the development curve over the past three decades. It is a fact also recognised by policy makers throughout the developing world where policies often include electrification targets.
SANEA ENERGY AWARDS 2010 Banquet and Awards Ceremony
TRUST' is not a 4-letter word!
I have recently attended three meetings [one in China and two in South Africa] that have worried me about our ability to make progress in South Africa.
€1,5-million boost at Cape Town solar PV production facility
Tenesol, a global solar photovoltaic PV manufacturer, has increased its production capacity at its Cape Town facility, following a €1,5-million investment. The company also increased its production capacity at one of its facilities in France, giving the group a total capacity of 170-MW peak a year (approximately 800 000 modules a year).
IPSA restarts power plant
On 24 June, the power generation company IPSA Group announced that its NewCogen subsidiary restarted production of electricity under an emergency contract with Eskom. The contract stipulates that the plant will provide electricity during a period of power shortages, which coincides with the FIFA World Cup.
Technology transfer to developing world will cut CO2 emissions
On 16 June, the Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Kandeh K Yumkella, said that technology transfer is a key element of global efforts related to energy-efficiency and climate change mitigation and Japan could play a lead role in this respect.
Nuclear energy expansion key to combating climate change - IEA
Almost one quarter of global electricity could be generated from nuclear power by 2050, making a major contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This is the central finding of the Nuclear Energy Technology Roadmap, published on 16 June by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). Such an expansion will require nuclear generating capacity to more than triple over the next 40 years, a target the roadmap describes as ambitious but achievable.
Smart grids for the EU
The European Union (EU) recently announced concern that over 55% of its energy still comes from outside its jurisdiction. In order to reduce the energy reliance outside the EU, legislations have been passed to force large utilities to promote to their customers a more frugal approach to energy usage, backed by massive investment in the renewable sector.
World Bank supports wind power in Egypt
The World Bank has approved a US$220-million loan for the Wind Power Development Project in Egypt. The loan was approved on 15 June and US$150-million is financed from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF). This is the first CFT-supported project in the Middle East and North Africa region.
A two day course on energy economics
Dr Carol A Dahl from the Colorado School of Mines, USA, will be presenting a two day course on 15 and 16 July at the Glenhove Conference Centre in Johannesburg.
The World Energy Council urges the G20 leaders to address energy poverty
"Urgent action from the international community is required to address what is today an unacceptable situation," says Professor Abubakar Sambo, World Energy Council Vice-Chair for Africa. "None of the Millennium Development Goals can be delivered without access to modern energy services for the 1,5-billion people who today live without it."
NERSA EEDSM rules out for comment
NERSA has issued a consultation paper on the new Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) rules. They are inviting the public and all stakeholders to comment. The closing date for comment is 20 July 2010. Contact Mr Tebogo Majatladi on eedsmrules@nersa.org.za or on Tel: 012 401 4074. The document is available at www.nersa.org.za.
Eskom's FIFA World Cup electricity supplies
State-owned power utility Eskom is providing weekly reports on the status of electricity supply during the 2010 FIFA World Cup period. During the first week of the tournament (11 June - 14 June), Eskom announced that it had supplied the peak demand for electricity comfortably and that the network and generation plant performed well.
