South Africa’s Eskom moves forward with 500 MW BESS initiative
South African utility Eskom has selected contractors for 343 MW of battery storage projects to be deployed in remote locations with limited access to distribution networks, but in proximity to large-scale renewables.
The Hydrogen Stream: Fuel cells for backup power
The PEM fuel cell test in New York demonstrated the viability of this technology at 3 MW, the first time at the scale of a backup generator at a data center. Meanwhile, a Spanish-Indian venture will develop up to 300 MW of installed green hydrogen production capacity in the Iberian Peninsula, and a Norwegian-German partnership aims to have a demo track powered by a fuel cell system on the road in mid-2023.
South Africa to allocate 5.2 GW of renewables in sixth REIPPPP round
President Ramaphosa’s speech this week included momentous plans for new solar and battery procurement as well as efforts to cut licensing and permitting delays as national utility Eskom scrambles to reduce the scale of black-outs.
Solar auctions to replace feed-in tariffs in Kenya
Attendees at the Renpower Kenya clean energy event in Nairobi were told there will be a changeover in incentive schemes in 2022 with mature technologies no longer benefiting from fixed payments.
South Africa to introduce feed-in tariffs for rooftop PV
The country’s troubled power utility Eskom is currently developing the new incentive scheme. President Cyril Rampahosa said the program may also include some unspecified tax incentives.
South Africa’s oldest wine estate goes solar
Small scale investors around the world have pledged cash to back a solar system to power winemaking and restaurant operations at the famous Groot Constantia estate.
A new day at sunset
For the many millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa who lack access to electric lighting, sunset brings an almost enveloping dark. But Light Libraries is one handy solar-powered program that brings an affordable end to darkness for school students. pv magazine sat down with Sofia Ollvid from SolarAid to discuss how these libraries work.
Desert to Power secures $300 million of public money
Private Infrastructure Development Group recently made a non-binding commitment in Brussels to a provide funds for a project that aims to bring 10 GW of solar to Africa’s Sahel region.
South Sudan set for grid solar
Kampala-based developer Aptech Africa says it plans to build a 12 MWp solar plant in Juba.
More than 100,000 more Kenyan households could get solar after $8m investment
EU development body Edfi Electrifi and impact investor Oikocredit will each take a $4 million stake in Canadian off-grid home panel business Solar Panda.
