Новости за 16.11.2021

Power utility Eskom is calling on the public to reduce electricity use, as the power system is "severely constrained", with five generation units at various power stations having failed throughout Tuesday. It notes that no load-shedding is being implemented yet, but warns that if there is any further loss of generation capacity, load-shedding may have to be implemented at short notice.

Bearings, seals and lubrication systems company SKF is supporting the development of so-called fossil-free bearing steel through a collaboration with Sweden-based Luleå University of Technology’s Centre for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden (CH2ESS) initiative. Hydrogen is the key to a fossil-free energy system and CH2ESS – a newly established research and knowledge initiative at Luleå University of Technology – is focusing on hydrogen use in industrial processes and energy systems, in close collaboration with Swedish industry.

Telecommunications equipment and network solutions provider ZTE Corporation South Africa has agreed to pay a R5-million settlement for allegedly colluding to divide markets.   In terms of a settlement agreement concluded between ZTE Corporation and the Competition Commission, ZTE SA also agreed to refrain from engaging in any prohibited practice or anticompetitive conduct, in contravention of the Competition Act, in future. The firm also agreed to implement a competition law compliance programme. Читать дальше...

The British government will invest up to £75-million of official development assistance, globally, for skills development across nine fast-growing economies; with the South African portion being dedicated to addressing the skills gaps, skills mismatch and quality training for unemployed youth and youth in post-school education and training. Undertaking the local portion of assistance, the British High Commission in South Africa plans to work with local partners to train unemployed youth in technical skills through trade apprenticeships.

Zambia zoomed into town today and did all it could to sweep investors off their feet with pledges to be private-sector driven, surge into green energy, and do everything it can to regain top spot in global copper at a time when the metal is set to play such a key role in the fight against climate change. Zambia Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga, the MP for Chingola, a Copperbelt area, was very impressive in providing assurances of very near-term incentivisation and showing great... Читать дальше...

Cement company PPC expects its headline earnings per share (HEPS) for continuing operations for the six months ended September 30 to be between 52c and 57c a share, an increase of between 72% and 89%, compared with HEPS of 30c in the prior comparable period. Earnings per share (EPS) for continuing operations are expected to be between 63c and 68c a share, an increase of between 110% and 126% from the 30c a share from the prior period.

Emerging South African energy group Earth & Wire, which aims to sell electricity directly to private customers, is positioning itself to build a 20 GW portfolio of grid-connected wind and solar projects by 2035 at an estimated cost of R500-billion. Business development head Thomas Garner, who is also chairperson of the South African Independent Power Producers Association, reports that the company has secured over 400 000 ha of signed agreements with landowners on properties with sufficient solar... Читать дальше...

The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has published a hard-hitting critique of South Africa’s localisation policy, warning that it could raise the cost of doing business, reduce export competitiveness and constrain future development. Titled ‘The Siren Song of Localisation: Why localisation policy will not lead to industrialisation’, the CDE report includes input from Professor Lawrence Edwards and Professor Emeritus David Kaplan, both of the University of Cape Town’s School of Economics.

Workers will start an indefinite strike on Friday at all group companies owned by Walmart-led Massmart Holdings in South Africa, their union said, creating another problem at the retailer struggling to turnaround. The South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu), an affiliate of the powerful union Cosatu aligned with the governing African National Congress, said it will commence the strike from Nov. 19 at all Massmart companies.

US aerospace giant Boeing announced on Tuesday, at the Dubai Air Show, that Air Tanzania had ordered three passenger and one freighter aircraft from it. The aircraft comprise one Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner widebody airliner, one 767-300 Freighter and two 737 MAX single-aisle airliners. The contract is worth, at list prices, more than $726-million. Air Tanzania is the national flag carrier for the East African country. The carrier already operates two Boeing 787-8s, while the rest of its current fleet... Читать дальше...

A binary, this-or-that debate on technology for a just energy transition is unhelpful and does not consider the unique circumstances for each country in the pursuit of carbonisation, the World Coal Association (WCA) argues. The association’s stance is that it will respect coal users and non-coal users alike, since energy affordability, reliability and development are the key considerations to ponder, and these will differ for each country in the world, WCA CEO Michelle Manook tells Mining Weekly.

Brazil-based major aerospace group Embraer published its 20-year Market Outlook, for regional and smaller airliners with up to 150 seats, at the Dubai Air Show on Monday. The Outlook covered both turboprop and jet aircraft. The group expected that, following the Covid-19 pandemic, global air passenger traffic would grow at an annual rate of 3.3% until 2040. In Africa, the annual passenger demand growth rate would be 3.8%, behind only the Asia-Pacific (including China) and Latin America, which would... Читать дальше...

The venture capital industry in South Africa is maturing, and knowledge of the role of venture capital as an asset class is growing, but regulatory hurdles remain and the number of professionals and firms in the industry needs to be increased to enable the industry to help catalyse innovation and grow the economy. These are some of the views proffered by venture capital and investment experts at industry organisation the South African Venture Capital Association's conference on November 15.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Intra African Trade Fair 2021 (IATF2021) would bridge gaps between governments as it aspires to connect all the regions of Africa to deepen economic integration and boost intra-African trade and investment. He addressed the opening session of the trade show, which is being held in Durban, from November 15 to 21.

In this opinion article, Nelson Mandela University Infrastructure Development & Engagement Unit associate Bongani Mankewu writes that establishing a sector-focused public-private partnership regulatory framework can enable infrastructure roll-out to create value chains and foster private participation.