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LOGISTICS UPDATE | Friday 5th July

📅  Event: DRC hosts Africa Battery Metals Forum (Sept 17)

💼  Job: Soleil power is looking for a technical director (Uganda)

📅  Another Event: Tanzania hosts Power & Energy Africa 2024 (Sept 25)

1.Power line to link southern and East Africa by 2025

Tanzania is building a new transmission line to export 300 MW of electricity to Zambia.This move will address Zambia's load-shedding issues and improve Tanzania's domestic electricity infrastructure.The 300 MW supplied to Zambia will cover nearing half of its current electricity deficit of approximately 750 MW. The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), the country’s power utility, confirmed that the 400 kilovolt (kV) Tanzania-Zambia line will be completed in November 2025. The project seeks to connect  at least 30 nations in the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) with the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP). Read more

• Electrical substations, including in Mainger Town, will be built to manage overloads, enhancing the existing transmission line.

• The Tanzania-Zambia transmission line's successful completion will boost Tanzania's economy, create export opportunities, and necessitate future planning for increased electricity demand.

• Zambia  is also exploring geothermal energy with Kalahari GeoEnergy developing the Bweengwa project aiming for 12 MW by 2030, starting with a 20 kW demonstration plant and upgrading to 150 kW by January 2025.

• Since 2011, Kalahari has identified the Kafue Rift for geothermal energy, estimating 5-7 MWe capacity, aiming to provide climate-resilient baseload power, and inviting investments to overcome high upfront costs for drilling and infrastructure.

2. Seaweed as a alternative source of energy

SeaH4, a finalist in the OceanLove Innovation Awards, plans to revolutionize fuel production by harnessing seaweed to create biofuel. The company aims for commercial availability as early as 2028. Founded by Johannes Bochdalofsky, the company is currently establishing a field testing facility in Saldanha's Pepper Bay in South Africa. SeaH4 plans for a pilot plant in Namibia by late next year. SeaH4's innovative approach involves using seaweed to produce biogas, which is then transformed into bioLNG—a carbon-neutral alternative fuel suitable for the maritime sector and potentially African road transport, pending investor interest and government policies. Read more

• SeaH4 aims to avoid negative impacts on nature and food production while creating jobs on South Africa's West Coast.

• The company's biofuel production timeline hinges on investor demand and potential expansions into aviation markets.

• The OceanLove Innovation Awards committee praises SeaH4 for its sustainable approach to combating climate change and fostering economic opportunities in coastal communities.

• SeaH4 invites partners to collaborate on its pilot plant in Namibia, scheduled to begin construction in 2025.

3. Today’s Number

 … is the amount secured by Rift Valley Energy from BII to build 7.6 MW wind and hydroelectric projects in Tanzania.

4. Mega project: Race to complete Africa’s largest wind farm in South Africa

About half of the components for the Koruson 1 cluster of wind farms, situated on the border of Eastern and Northern Cape provinces, have been delivered to site. The project, developed under Round 5 of South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, spans 50 km2 and includes Phezukomoya, San Kraal, and Coleskop wind farms. With 78 turbines standing 124 meters tall on locally manufactured concrete towers, the project boasts a total capacity of 420 MW, making it Africa's largest wind farm. Scheduled for completion in early 2025, the $603 million project by EDF Renewables aims to enhance local employment and economic development. Read more

• The wind turbines' 81.35-meter blades are transported from Coega port via specific road routes, impacting local traffic.

• Over 3,800 workers are currently employed on-site, emphasizing the project's significant local employment generation.

• The project dedicates 1.25% of its revenue to socioeconomic development initiatives for nearby communities.

• More than 40% of the project's value is derived from South African goods and services, supporting local industry and economy.

5. Boost for Congo’s solar capacity with a 100 MW plant

The Republic of the Congo has signed a deal with AMEA Power to build a 100 MW solar PV facility. The deal was signed by Energy Minister Émile Quosso and AMEA Power Chairman Hussain Al Nowais. This solar plant aims to improve clean energy access in the Congo, where only about 50% of the population has electricity. The agreement is part of AMEA Power's broader expansion across Africa. This development marks a significant step towards sustainable energy in the region.

6. Spark Insight:

South Africa’s JETP is a cautionary tale for all Global South countries. The deal was negotiated in secret, offers very little grant financing, fails to protect workers in transition sectors, advances privatisation, and overwhelmingly seeks to guarantee profitable investment opportunities for private finance. Instead, climate financing should take place through transparent multilateral process that acknowledge the Global North historic climate debt.”

Gilad Isaacs

South Africa Institute for Economic Justice 

7. Solution for load-shedding in South Africa’s industries

Blue Energy Africa has installed a 435 kW hybrid solar and battery storage system for Naboom Plastic in Mookgophong, Limpopo. This project will reduce the company's grid electricity usage by 80-90%. This project, funded by Gaia Fund Managers, has helped Naboom Plastic clear a 60-ton production backlog caused by loadshedding. The new system, which includes 858 kWh of battery storage and generates 750,000 kWh annually. Blue Energy Africa's CEO, Marcel Steinberg, highlighted the project's impact on sustainability and economic growth in the community. Read more

• Naboom Plastic experienced severe production disruptions due to loadshedding and local municipal issues.

• Co-founder Koos Lancaster noted that the energy supply problems reduced production hours and increased waste.

• Gaia CIO Dr. Hendrik Snyman emphasized that the project demonstrates how investments can benefit both the environment and people.

• The new hybrid solar system has allowed Naboom Plastic to rework staff shifts and improve order completion rates.

8. Picture of the Day 

Durban University of Technology (DUT) officials preparing for the ground-breaking Siyahamba Solar Boat for the prestigious 11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

9. Media Monitoring

• Viability: Rosatom has held talks with Mali about creating a project in solar generation and geological exploration. In April 2024, Rosatom's NovaWind ordered an analysis of Mali's energy system to identify potential sites for renewable energy facilities.

• Potential: IRENA has released a report highlighting the transformative power of modern renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Eco-tourism: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti has launched a groundbreaking solar farm. With 2,256 solar panels generating 990 kWp of clean energy and supported by extensive battery storage, the lodge has transitioned fully to off-grid power.

• BESS: Morocco aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of renewable energy in Africa and beyond. Morocco is aggressively positioning itself in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery value chain, leveraging its abundant natural resources like phosphate, manganese, and cobalt.

• Pioneering: Kong Solaire will build a 50 MW solar plant in Ivory Coast's Tchologo region, set to begin operations in Q3 2026. The project, costing $67 million, will create 300 jobs and follows the recent inauguration of the country's first solar plant in Boundiali.