Tag: power

There is no Just in Just Transition.

There is no Just in Just Transition.
On Tuesday, 30 November 2021, TIPS held a public debate on the key priorities and challenges for a Just Transition in the Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete areas. A statement was made and supported by many that there is no “Just” in the government’s Just Transition programme (JET) for citizens affected.

The JET Programme has been discussed for many years, first at the national level, then at the district level and more recently at the local level. Many consultants have been active in the area, collecting data, and some have even implemented programmes. Although it is still early, it seems that communities, from municipal officials to labour union representatives, are unhappy about what JET might mean for their future.

What projects have been approved, who is funding these projects, and the key outcomes that each project aims to achieve. The community has participated in many projects, skills training, entrepreneurship training and so on, but if there is no prospect of earning, the skills become obsolete. We do not want to be seen as charity recipients who have to be given a dummy to keep us quiet.

MCCI urges all stakeholders to create sustainable projects that provide secure jobs for participants. What market do they want to create with the new technology, or is the project only viable with continued financial support? There should be an open database of available information to prevent collusion, and the plans need to be available on the ground. How many of the recently launched projects have been successful?

The consultants and academics and the companies outside the Highveld region of Mpumalanga see us as needing help, even though they make their millions from local business opportunities. MCCI believes that the skills and talent are there, and we have a vested interest in making JET sustainable and successful. May the ghosts in the ghost town that “they” predict remain in their imagination. MCCI is continually committed to sustainable programmes to support and grow our economy. If you are interested in more information, please contact Mmabatho at info@middelburginfo.com

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Uniform Rules for Digital Trade Transactions (“URDTT”)

Uniform Rules for Digital Trade Transactions (“URDTT”)

The International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) has published the Uniform Rules for Digital Trade Transactions (“URDTT”), which constitute the international laws of trade financing practice, and came into force on 1 October 2021. You can read the rules here.

Background

Work on the URDTT began in December 2018 following the realization that there was a lack of rules for digital transactions. The first draft was prepared by the ICC National Committees (“Committees”) at the end of 2019. Since then, the Committees have drafted six different versions of the rules taking into consideration more than 1,500 comments. Finally, the definitive version of the URDTT was published on 1 October 2021.

What is the scope of the new rules?

The URDTT is a comprehensive set of rules designed to cover all parties of digital commerce transactions. Its core mandate is to pave the way for commercial transactions in compliance with the UNCITRAL Model Law. Pursuant to these rules, electronic records will form the basis of commercial transactions rather than any documents or written contracts. Thus, impartiality and uniformity will be ensured in terms of commercial transactions.

The URDTT are intended (i) for a fully digital environment, (ii) to be neutral with regard to technology and messaging standards and, (iii) to extend into the corporate space, including commercial transactions and the growing community of non-bank providers of financial services.[1]

Within the framework of the URDTT, it is possible for importers and exporters to create electronic records for the purchase and sale of goods and services. It will, therefore, provide documents that will prove a buyer’s obligation to pay and a seller’s obligation to sell.

Moreover, the new set of rules also specify how electronic records regarding parties’ obligations are submitted and under which terms and conditions they will be issued.

Conclusion

In today’s world, where digital transactions are becoming more widespread, there is no doubt that the importance of digitalization of the trade industry is one of the most discussed issues in the international dimension. With the new rules, an important step towards adapting to the new world has been taken, providing a standardization of digital transactions and namely, a legal certainty. It is clear that the URDTT rules will be revised according to developing technology, business life and the needs of the markets and thus, new versions could be developed in this regard.

 EXXARO AND SERITI RESOURCES JOIN FORCES WITH ESKOM IN REALISING A JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TO A LOW CARBON FUTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA

 EXXARO AND SERITI RESOURCES JOIN FORCES WITH ESKOM IN REALISING A JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TO A LOW CARBON FUTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg, 25 October 2021: Eskom, Exxaro and Seriti Resources have announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that spells out their intention to pursue, co-operatively and individually, the development of renewable energy projects to lower carbon footprint at their operations. In doing so, the parties aim to create employment and re-skilling opportunities for communities living and working at and around their operations and to take a step towards a just transition to a low carbon future in South Africa.

Exxaro and Seriti are the largest coal suppliers to Eskom, contributing around 80% of Eskom’s coal supply per year. By implementing renewable energy solutions at their Eskom-tied operations and at related Eskom sites, Seriti and Exxaro aim to achieve both carbon reduction and cost savings in the generation and use of electricity at these mines. This is symbiotic with Eskom’s mandate to provide electricity in an efficient and sustainable manner, which includes decarbonising its supply chain.

The first phase of the envisaged project pipeline will see the construction of a number of solar photovoltaic facilities both on-mine and at Eskom sites. These may be behind-the-meter solutions (that is, off-grid) or wheeled solutions, or combinations of the two. The companies have committed to begin the projects as soon as possible, subject to regulatory approvals. Further projects envisaged may include energy storage and possibly wind energy facilities.

Under the MOU, Seriti envisages achieving a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 350,000 tonnes per annum, more than half of its current emissions of 700,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent through the consumption of coal-fired electricity generation. In respect of Exxaro – the company envisages achieving a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 130,000 tonnes per annum at its Matla coal mine, which represents a saving of 70% of the greenhouse gasses with Matla at full production.

André de Ruyter, CEO of Eskom said: “Eskom continues to explore means to lower the cost of coal supplied to its power stations, and this investment allows it to advantage of the low

cost of photovoltaic power This is one of the many initiatives Eskom has embarked on to achieve a NetZero status by 2050.”

Mxolisi Mgojo, CEO of Exxaro said: “This is a significant landmark development in South Africa’s energy transition to a low carbon economy for three of South Africa’s largest players in the mining and energy sectors. The investment in decarbonising our mining operations is a systematic and responsible approach to the energy transition without introducing risk to the country’s electricity generation. The collaboration amongst Exxaro, Seriti and Eskom is exemplary of the possibilities achievable through co-operative and constructive relations between business and government in securing livelihoods and a future for South Africa.”

Mike Teke, CEO of Seriti said: “We recognise that climate change and the need to decarbonise our economies is a significant challenge and imperative for South Africa. But, at the same time, we are very conscious that this needs to be done in such a way that does not destroy our industrial base, or the lives of South Africans that rely on our companies for jobs, enterprise and support: this is the very basis of a just transition. As a company, we are fully committed to decarbonisation and a just transition, and in working with our partners – in business, government, labour and communities – in achieving this.”

For further information:

Eskom:

Sikonathi Mantshantsha +27 83 276 0606

E-mail: mediadesk@eskom.co.za

Exxaro:

Mzila Mthenjane +27 83 417 6375

Tsabeng Ntithe +27 76 371 6810

Seriti Resources:

Alan Fine + 27 83 250 0757

Charmane Russell +27 82 372 5816

Thank you, Women in Power

Thank you, Women in Power.

On Friday, 17 September 2021, ladies of the business community gathered at Hermansdal Landgoed to celebrate Women’s Day in the spring.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted its annual Women’s Day celebration with 100 beautiful women from the Mpumalanga Highveld.  The theme was Women in Power. The ladies were given a platform to express themselves and interact with other women. Mr Themba Phathakge opened the ceremony with a beautiful poem about women, and William Blackrose captivated the women with his beautiful voice.

Special guests included the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Ms L.N. Malatjie, Acting Executive Mayor of Nkangala District Ms Mthimunye, Municipal Manager of Nkangala District Ms S.S.Skosana, Ms Que Naidoo, President and Mrs Anna-Marth Ott, CEO of MCCI The day ended with the women testing their golf swings at the new Hermansdal golf driving range. Monica Joao won the competition for the longest drive.

Thank you to the following sponsors: Columbus, Thosbegbie, Nashua, Twizza, Mbungiswa Logistics, Hermansdal, Old Mutual, Chris de Hoek Guest House, The Daily Coffee café Middelburg, Alveston Manor Spa, Abafazi Nebhodo, Midmed Hospital, Honey Accessories with your continued support of the event was a great success.

NB: Covid 19 regulations were followed at all times.

Bidding for the repurposing of Komatie soon

Bidding for the repurposing of Komatie soon

Since 2017 Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry has been lobbying on all available platforms that there is an economic future for our region in Power Generation.

MCCI is glad to report that Energy Transition Office Head Mandy Rambharos reported last week that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the repowering and repurposing

Komati Power Station could be released within the next two months as soon as the internal and government governance matters have been settled.

 

Rambhoras said that the comprehensive social impact reports would be completed for Komati, Hendrina, Grootvlei and Camden to and these reports will be published soon.

Many local Energy Intensive Users and other businesses in the area rely on the Komanti and Henderina Power Stations’ repurposing.

MCCI has been urging that Eskom and the government investigate and promote the stations’ repowering, using renewable energy and storage solutions, or possibly switching their fuel sources to either gas or hydrogen.

Rambhoras said that for the Komati RFP, Eskom would most probably seek repowering proposals involving solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage technologies.

“We are very keen to move quickly towards implementation at Komati this year but have not ruled out parallel processes at the other power stations,” Rambharos said.

“For now, we are focusing on getting Komati off the ground to have that first demonstration project up and running.”

Komati currently has only one operating unit, which is scheduled for closure within two years.

MCCI is eagerly awaiting the implementation of the repurposing of Komati.

Many of our businesses were adversely affected by the Optimum Mine fiasco and want to see our region revitalised with new opportunities and economic growth.