MEDIA STATEMENTS
NSBE RENEWABLE ENERGY DIALOGUE (REPORT)
On April 20th, 2023, the NSBE organized a thought-provoking Renewable Energy Dialogue aimed at fostering open and insightful discussions. The primary objective of the dialogue was to address the critical factors contributing to the country's energy crisis and to explore the potential of renewable energy as a viable solution to mitigate the effects of load shedding. The discussions were centered around two key elements: firstly, the South African National Energy Association's (SANEA) Energy Skills Roadmap, which was presented as a comprehensive plan to tackle the skills gap in the energy sector. Secondly, there was an in-depth evaluation of the report by Meridian Economics titled "Resolving the Power Crisis by Adding More Renewable Energy into the Eskom Transmission Grid." The participants engaged in robust debates, critically interrogating the proposed solutions and evaluating their feasibility. Ultimately, the dialogue provided an opportunity to identify more sustainable approaches and pathways towards resolving the country's power crisis.
RESOLVING THE POWER CRISIS: Insights From Detailed Power System Modelling & Technical Analysis
The report provides an analysis of the current power crisis in South Africa and proposes potential solutions to address the issue. The report highlights that the power crisis is a result of several factors, including a lack of investment in new power generation capacity, maintenance issues with existing power plants, and the over-reliance on aging coal-fired power stations. The report argues that to resolve the power crisis, South Africa needs to take a multi-faceted approach that includes both short-term and long-term solutions. The short-term solutions proposed include increasing the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, increasing energy efficiency measures, and optimizing the use of existing power plants. The long-term solutions proposed include investing in new power generation capacity, promoting the development of new energy technologies, and improving the regulatory environment to support the growth of the energy sector. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE
NSBE president Mdu Mlaba, Solidarity Research Institute's Connie Mulder and the executive director at SA Energy Forum Hlathi Madela shared their views on the removal of Eskom CEO André de Ruyter.
There are many views following the sudden removal of Eskom CEO André de Ruyter. De Ruyter stepped down from his position following a TV interview where he alleges that some cabinet ministers are trying to accumulate money from the parastatal for the ANC. The National Society of Black Engineers president Mdu Mlaba, Solidarity Research Institute's Connie Mulder and the executive director at SA Energy Forum Hlathi Madela shared their views on the developments.
Submission to the ANC SG Cd Fikile Mbalula Following the ANC Energy Crisis Dialogue Session Hosted at the University of Johannesburg
Following the ANC Energy Crisis Dialogue session held at the University of Johannesburg, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has made submissions in form of critical areas that constitute the country's energy crisis. The submissions entail and outline short term, medium term and long term interventions that should be considered for resolving the energy crisis. Click Here to read the complete report.
Focus on Improving EAF as a Quick Win to Stop Loadshedding
In this opinion article, SANEDI CEO Dr Zwanani Titus Mathe interrogates measures and interventions that could be pursued to improve the energy availability factor of the Eskom coal fleet so as to address intensifying loadshedding. Click Here to read the full article.
Urgent and Practical Steps to Stop the Energy Crisis in South Africa.
In his article published in the Mail and Guardian , SA National Energy Development Institute CEO Dr Zwanani Mathe addresses the focuses on the technical aspects of electricity supply recovery. The challenges and proposed solutions for the financial aspects of electricity supply recovery and the other forms of energy (such as liquid and gas fuels) will be discussed in separate follow-up opinion pieces.
In the interview with Newsroom Afrika, (YouTube Video below) Mathe unpacks his anlysis of the problem and outlines key measures and intereventions that he argues should be pursued.
Click Here
for the complete article published in the Mail & Guardian.
RESIGNATION OF THE ESKOM GROUP CEO
The NSBE welcomes the resignation of the Eskom Group CEO, Mr. André de Ruyter on 14 December 2022. The cost of load shedding to the South African economy was a minimum R1.1 trillion between 2018 – 2022 YTD. The Eskom performance in 2022 was the worst ever in the history of the utility, costing the economy R560 billion this year alone. Mr. de Ruyter was out of his depth and did not have the credentials to lead Eskom out of load shedding. Click Here to Read the Full Statement.
APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW ESKOM BOARD MEMBERS - EFFECTIVE 01 OCTOBER 2022
The NSBE welcomes the announcement of the new Eskom SOC Ltd Board Members by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Pravin Gordhan, on 30 September 2022. We are pleased to see the caliber of professionals appointed, with 5 highly qualified and experienced engineers to bolster the technical expertise at board level. One of the engineers – Mr. Lwazi Goqwana - was part of the Eskom Technical Review Team that was appointed to conduct an intensive review of the operations, maintenance and the technical environment at Eskom Power Stations. Click Here to Read the Full Statement.
APPOINTMENT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
NEWSFLASH: NSBE 2022 CONFERENCE & GALA DINNER - FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
REPORT ON ESKOM’s ENERGY UTILIZATION FACTOR (EUF)
What’s the response to the allegation that past ESKOM leaders ran power plants too hard and neglected maintenance of the coal fleet? This report explores the allegation that the current under-performance of the existing coal fleet was or is caused by over running the power plants without correct maintenance interventions in the period 2016 – 2018 when the load shedding was brought under control. The report captures the response to the allegation and rebuttal. READ THE FULL REPORT HERE
ESKOM’s LOAD SHEDDING CRISIS: NSBE STATEMENT
The NSBE Leadership team represented by the NSBE President Mdu Mlaba and the Deputy President Mr. Lwazi Goqwana met with the Eskom’s Chief Operations Officer Mr. Jan Oberholzer and Head of Engineering Mr. Thomas Conradie on 06 July 2022. The meeting followed a request from Mr. Oberholzer to meet to explore possible technical assistance from NSBE to end the load shedding crisis which has plunged the country to unprecedented stage 6 load shedding. READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE
International Assignment: Cost Estimators in Civil-Construction Projects
An exciting job opportunity has come up for an International assignment (mainly for the US & Canada). We are looking for the cost estimators ranging from 5-15 years work experience in civil / construction projects, preferably in the railway industry. Send your CVs to admin@nsbe.org.za.