Talking Energy - March 2008

Greenpeace co-founder backs nuclear power — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:09 PM

Adding a green voice to the promotion of nuclear power generation, ecologist, environmentalist, and cofounder of Greenpeace, Dr Patrick Moore affirmed his environmental support for nuclear power while in Johannesburg recently, and stated that there was "every reason to choose nuclear power over coal".

Fuel cells may ease power problems — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:10 PM

The application of fuel cell systems is an exciting emerging trend which could offer future solutions to the world's energy problems. This was according to Vladimir Linkov, from the University of the Western Cape, who addressed the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers' (SAIEE) Power Generation conference.

Sasol says additional Moz gas was always for its own needs, not cogeneration — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:13 PM

Petrochemicals group Sasol said it did not enter into any negotiations with, nor make any commitments to, companies seeking to use additional natural gas from Mozambique for possible cogeneration projects in South Africa. This follows on from complaints that Sasol demonstrated "bad faith" by entering into serious engagements with industrial customers, which have now been told that there is no surplus gas available for their energy projects.

PetroSA shuts Mossel Bay refinery over safety concerns — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:14 PM

The 45 000 barrel a day, PetroSA gas-to-liquid fuel plant, in Mossel Bay, had to be shut down for safety reasons, after a 100 mm crack was discovered in the company's gas inlet pipe. The outage came as a result of a breakdown in the reformer common 30-inch line. On investigating the extent of the damage it was found that other key sections of the line needed repair. This required the sourcing of spares, which the manufacturer did not have in stock. The parts would have to be manufactured and it would take five days for delivery to PetroSA.

Eskom kicks off new power sources programme — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:15 PM

Eskom kicked off its massive programme of building new power plants, bringing mothballed plants back into operation and extending existing power stations, in its effort to double electricity production by 2025.The power utility has started building one new coal-fired plant, is planning to start another soon and is bringing three mothballed coal plants back into operation.

PetroSA to spend $650m on exploration — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:16 PM

South African state-owned oil company PetroSA will spend $650-million over the next two years to help secure energy to help alleviate the country's power crisis, a senior official said. PetroSA was also in talks with power utility Eskom to provide gas for new gas-fired power stations.

S.Africa Eskom grants $4 bln power plant contracts — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:17 PM

South African electricity utility Eskom has awarded two contracts worth 31.5 billion rand ($4.07 billion) for its Bravo project coal-fired power station to be completed by 2017. Eskom said in a statement it had awarded the R18.5-billion contract for the construction of the power plant's boilers to Hitachi Power Africa, a unit of Hitachi Ltd. A R13-billion contract for the turbine island works was awarded to France's Alstom.

Eskom's uranium consumption may reach 4 000 t/y by 2025 — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:18 PM

Eskom's uranium consumption could increase by more than ten times to 4 000 t/y by 2025, from the current figure of 330 t/y as it planned to add 20 000 MW of nuclear generation capacity by that time, a company official said. The utility currently only uses uranium to produce some 1 800 MW of power from two reactors at its only nuclear power station, Koeberg, in the Western Cape, equating to about from 5% to 7% of its total generation capacity.

Germany-Mpuma co-operate on energy sourcing — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:20 PM

Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla has signed a renewed bilateral agreement with the German province of North Rhine Westphalia, aimed at finding initiatives to source renewable energy. Premier Makwetla, accompanied by his MEC for Sports Culture and Recreation Jabu Mahlangu met with North Rhine Westphalia Minister of Sports Armin Laschet recently to look at ways of sourcing renewable energy in order to mitigate the impact of load shedding.

Eskom signs a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry during National Water Week — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:21 PM

The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks and the Chief Executive of Eskom Mr Jacob Maroga signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Water and Energy Efficiency Corporate Governance launch in Kwa-Thema today to facilitate broader cooperation on issues relating to efficient water usage at Eskoms power generation plants.

World Energy Congress 2013: South African support for our bid — by VDW — last modified 2008-04-06 08:22 PM

To date we have received letters of support from a number of South African organisations in support of our bid for the 2013 World Energy Congress. Nearly all these letters have been personally signed at Chairman or Chief Executive level. I am very pleased with the response and would like to thank the following organisations for their enthusiastic support.