Green Economy Journal Issue 48

NEWS & SNIPPETS
NEWS & SNIPPETS
RIP NTOMBIFUTHI NTULI
SAWEA and the sector, at large, mourns the
loss of Princess Ntombifuthi Ntuli, CEO of
SAWEA. Fondly known as Ntombi, she leaves
behind two young children and an extended
family who will no doubt feel the full extent of
this loss.
Ntombifuthi has steered the wind power
sector in her leadership role. During this time,
she drew on her depth of knowledge and
talents, and crafted over more than 15 years in
the energy and related sectors.
Ntombifuthi’s leadership was defined by
her charismatic yet gentle nature, resilience
and determination to successfully steer the
industry towards playing a central role in
South Africa’s energy transition, while being a
uniting force.
She built strong bridges throughout the
energy sector, founded on her sound logic
JO JOs FOR JOZI
Joburg Water says its system is under severe
pressure, with water demand consistently
exceeding supply. Reservoirs are affected
across the Gauteng region. Spokesperson,
Eleanor Mavimbela, said that the intermittent
water supply would continue indefinitely.
“Citizens of the City of Johannesburg are
urged to use water sparingly as the city is still
under level one water restrictions.”
Courtesy: Eye Witness News
CITY CALLS CITIZENS TO CLIMATE ACTION
Cape Town has encouraged residents and businesses to join their climate action movement
following their recently released Climate Change Strategy. This is to adapt to the impacts of
climate change, mitigate climate change, significantly reduce carbon emissions and harness
opportunities of the green economy. A few of their mitigation efforts to reduce carbon emissions
include driving energy efficiency in municipal operations, moving towards net-zero carbon
buildings, procuring energy from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), reducing and diverting
waste and building an efficient transport network.
Courtesy: Cape Argus
THE BEST MEGAWATT
and ability to see the bigger picture. Her
lobbying efforts for the country’s transition
to cleaner power were underpinned by
supportive government policy and smooth
procurement, which will help to ensure the
sector’s exponential growth for years to come.
Her legacy will live on not only through her
successes, but also in the hearts of the people
that make up this industry.
“Ntombi changed the face of the wind
industry in our country. She made the industry
relatable with her ability to engage with the
most stubborn naysayer, helping them to see
her point of view and winning everyone over
with her charming smile and her calm strength,”
said Mercia Grimbeek, Chair of SAWEA.
Green Economy Journal extends our heartfelt
condolences to Ntombifuthi Ntuli’s friends
and family.
BY BARRY BREDENKAMP, SANEDI
As the country focuses on improved energy capacity, energy savings must not be forgotten. The IEA
regards energy efficiency as the “first fuel”, and we should strive to save every possible kWh before
adding new generating capacity. Companies must prioritise energy savings, not just self-generation.
While I agree that the new 100MW threshold is great news for the stability of supply and our
economic potential, I would like to see every installation targeting a baseline load of 110MW. My take
is that there is at least 10% energy savings potential on the demand side of the meter at virtually all
proposed installations, before adding additional supply-side capacity.
The more energy (consumption) we avoid or save, the smaller the size of the load required to
operate those end-use technologies. We urge project developers not to lose focus on first exploring
the energy efficiency potential, by setting an “internal” target to save 10MW of electricity for every
100MW of renewable power generation capacity installed.
All new build projects come with an environmental cost. Even clean energy projects come with
a carbon footprint. If you consider the manufacture and transport of every component required for
a solar farm, you can understand how this will add up when companies across the country adopt
generation plants.
Added to that, it is cheaper to save energy than to generate it. Building new generation capacity is a
big investment, regardless of the energy source. There are additional cost and environmental savings
to be gained by including energy efficiency in the overall mix. Regardless of how and where power is
generated, someone still pays for the megawatt consumed, whereas the avoided megawatt is “free”. In
my opinion, the best megawatt is the megawatt not used.
CO2 LEVELS AFFECT
DUNG BEETLES
A new study led by Wits University postdoctoral
researcher, Dr Claudia Tocco,
provides evidence that elevated CO2
levels directly affects the development
and survival of tunnelling dung beetles.
The study, published in the international
journal, Global Change Biology, presents a
possible explanation for the current “insect
apocalypse” – a global decline in insect
populations that is still not well understood.
“When raised under CO2 levels predicted
for the year 2070, a third fewer beetles
emerged and were 14% smaller in size when
compared to pre-industrial CO2 levels,” says
Tocco. Courtesy: Wits University
UCT AND SASOL: CATALYSTS FOR GREEN JET FUEL
THE BIG 4 ACCOUNTING FIRMS BALANCE ESG
The UCT and Sasol have made advancements in the use of commercial iron catalyst, produced
cheaply and at large scale at Sasol’s Secunda plant, which would enable conversion of unavoidable
or biogenically-derived CO₂ and green hydrogen directly to a variety of green chemicals.
The companies said in a statement that the collaboration had revealed that Sasol’s iron catalyst
could achieve CO₂ conversions greater than 40%, producing ethylene and light olefins, which could
be used as chemical feedstocks, and significant quantities of kerosene-range hydrocarbons (jet fuel).
“Conversion of green hydrogen together with CO₂, a process called CO₂ hydrogenation, is gaining
significant interest worldwide and is a promising way to produce sustainable aviation fuels and
chemicals which have a significantly lower carbon footprint,” says Dr Cathy Dwyer, the vice president:
Science Research at Sasol Research and Technology.
Courtesy: Business Report
PwC put the demand for ESG advice at the heart of a $12-billion investment plan it recently
announced that involves adding 100 000 employees and launching “trust institutes” to train clients
in ethics. Deloitte announced a “climate learning programme” for its 330 000 employees. KPMG’s
ESG work has included helping Ikea to analyse social and environmental risks linked to the Swedish
furniture retailer’s raw materials and advising on the first green bond issued in India. Alongside EY,
all four have been at the table as business groups try to thrash out new international standards for
measuring sustainability.
Courtesy: Financial Times
WHEN I GROW UP
This is a book about 21 people who are working
in clean energy; what they all have in common
is that they are passionate about their job, and
work on tackling the climate crisis. Meet Swarna
who studies the wind to put her turbines in the
best locations; Nicolas who flies drones to check
for cracks in the blades; and Jos who builds
playgrounds from old wind turbines. There are
people from all continents who will tell you
about their clean energy jobs, what subjects they
studied and the skills they needed to be able to
do what they do now.
SAWEA Chair, Mercia Grimbeek has contributed to
@WindEurope’s latest children’s book.
RENEWABLE POWER
The City of Cape Town is looking at options
to develop Athlone Power Station. Mayco
member for Energy and Climate Change,
Phindile Maxiti, said the site was considered
unsuitable for mixed-use residential purposes,
so the emphasis had shifted to looking at
uses in line with its existing permit, including
for energy and/or industrial use, particularly
considering the emerging energy crisis.
The power station was decommissioned
in 2003 as it was no longer economically
viable. Finance and Economic Opportunities
MEC David Maynier said the department was
collaborating with the City and welcomed its
announcement of a Request For Information
(RFI) for funding and financing instrument
solutions for its Renewable Energy Programme.
“This RFI is aimed at development banks and
multilateral development funds for projects
that the City will own and operate, located on
city-owned land and buildings (typically within
the City distribution grid), ranging in size from
less than 1MW to 100MW per project, with
the potential to explore larger-scale projects
connected to Eskom’s network.”
Courtesy: Shakirah Thebus, Cape Argus
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