The Copenhagen Accord on Climate Change

Filed Under Cleantech, Global Warming, South Africa | Tags: , , , | Leave a Comment

What does the Copenhagen Accord mean to South Africa? Well I think while everyone is enjoying their summer holiday, we will return to a 2010 that will be mixed with the excitement of the World Cup Soccer, together with the major challenge of Climate Change that the country will need to combat. Regardless of what has been achieved in Copenhagen, the effects of Climate Change will continue to have a negative impact on the economy and society of South Africa. Will our politicians and leaders of industry be part of the solution or part of the problem?

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Group Five Ltd. Announces Kayema Energy Investment

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As part of reporting their year end financial results, Group Five Ltd. announced its investment in Kayema Energy Solutions (PTY) Ltd. According to the statement  ”The group invested R3 million for a 51% stake in an energy efficiency business, Kayema Energy Solutions. This business designs and manufactures solar water heating systems aligned to the group’s interests in large-scale energy efficient housing contracts and other solar power developments. The investment was made at fair value to the assets acquired”. The Group Five investment positions Kayema Energy Solutions for strong future growth as Group Five provides access to a strong portfolio of projects and support services that will allow rapid expansion of our Solar Water Heater and Energy Efficiency activities.

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Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale Support Green Building Practices

Filed Under Human Settlements, South Africa | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

According to Georgia Institute of Technology School of Civil and Environmental Engineering professor and visiting research and innovation chair at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Mulalo Doyoyo  “We have created Retecza to build auto-nomous and sustainable villages for people, focusing on next-generation energy supply, green building and construction, as well as next-generation transportation and technology concept centres,” Doyoyo concludes. In the context of Minister Sexwale’s new Human Settlements policy, this is a key component for providing affordable housing to the masses throughout South Africa.

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Trevor Manuel Supports Solar Water Heater Industry Development

Filed Under South Africa | Tags: none | 1 Comment

“Speaking at the release of the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), Minister in The Presidency responsible for planning Trevor Manuel indicated that it was becoming urgent for new projects to be unearthed, particularly as the tournament-related projects were nearing completion”. As reported by Creamer Media July 14th 2009, “He was particularly keen to stimulate the creation of an industrial base able to produce and install sustainable energy technologies, such as solar water heaters, at new human settlements, as well as retrofits for existing houses.

He lamented the fact that the solar water heater opportunity had not yet been fully grasped by industry. “I think the way in which we bring industrial policy together with those opportunities . . . can ensure that we not only don’t import, but we also ensure sustainable resource utilisation,” Manuel concluded”. It seems that on the political level there is a huge amount of support for the industry to play a major role in helping to improve service delivery for the South African government.

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NERSA Approves 31% price increase

Filed Under Cleantech, South Africa | Tags: none | Leave a Comment

With NERSA’s recent approval of another 31% price increase, South African consumers of electricity are starting to feel the pain of rising electricity prices. Wheras six months ago, people were skeptical as to whether there really was an energy crisis in South Africa, today I don’t even have to open my mouth before prospective clients start explaining to me how painful it is to see their electricity bills go through the roof. Unfortunately folks, this is just the beginning. As discussed before on this blog, you can expect a tripling of pricese within a few years. And if politically there is a strong backlash against this trend, the alternative is more blackouts. Which one would you prefer?

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Electricity prices in South Africa could increase more than threefold over the next three years

Filed Under Global Warming, Infrastructure, South Africa | Tags: none | Leave a Comment

According to Anton Eberhard, Professor of Management, restructuring and regulation of network/infrastructure industries at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, “Prices could increase more than threefold over the next three years”. The article titled “South Africa: Price Hikes Inevitable If We Want to Keep the Lights on” published in March 2009, is confirmation that South African consumers and business have been paying almost nothing for electricity for decades. The economic impact of a tripling of electric prices will be significant and in some cases devistating. In such an environment, it is inevitable that renewable energy solutions will become financially viable. The question is will South Africans adopt these technologies in time to avoid the devistation or will they wait until the last minute and possibley miss the boat?

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