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To help South Africa move closer to the goal of universal access to electricity, Eskom Distribution last week launched one of its first microgrid technology at Swartkopdam, about 150km from Upington, in the Northern Cape. 

Microgrids, according to Eskom, provide an effective, reliable, and easily deployable solution for electrifying geographically challenging areas that are either difficult to access or require extensive capital expenditure. 

“The microgrid technology at Swartkopdam will provide electricity to 39 households who did not have access to electricity before this project. 

“The electricity networks around the area are constrained and practically impossible to extend and connect the area,” the power utility explained. 

Eskom said the installation of the microgrid in the areas follows the successful installations of two pilot microgrid projects at Lynedoch in the Western Cape and Ficksburg in Free State.

“Swartkopdam was identified by Eskom Distribution as one of the high priority needs of the community and due to its remoteness, which also has critical facilities embedded in the grid.”

Meanwhile, the state-owned entity said the microgrid with battery energy storage capability developed by Eskom Research, Testing, and Development (RT&D) was considered the most suitable solution. 

“A feasible conventional solution was to connect Swartkopdam by building a 200km 132kV line from Gordonia substation and establishing Noenieput substation at Noenieput, which was estimated to cost R250 million.”

However, according to the statement, this option was considered extremely expensive and was, therefore, not pursued.

“The deployment of the microgrids at Swartkopdam serves as a proof of concept in installing microgrids in remote areas which are difficult to reach or expensive to electrify through the conventional means of electrification.

“Eskom plans to roll out about 100 microgrids across the country by the end of March 2024 as part of Eskom’s Distribution business strategy,” said Distribution Group Executive, Monde Bala.

Apart from the microgrids being cheaper, they also contribute to reducing carbon emissions because they use renewable energy sources.

“We will continue to close the gap of energy poverty by giving everyone a life-changing experience of having electricity,” added Bala.

Meanwhile, through innovation and collaborative partnerships, Eskom Board Chairman, Mpho Makwana, said the entity can provide clean and reliable electricity to the people of Swartkopdam.

“This project serves as reassurance of Eskom’s commitment to assisting the South African government in achieving its objective of ensuring that every South African has access to electricity,” he said. 

In addition to the installation of the microgrid and as part of ploughing back to the Swartkopdam community, Eskom is donating two mobile containers and recreational equipment to the Swartkopdam Primary School. 

This is central to Eskom’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, which is designed around touching the lives of South Africans. 

“The donation is envisaged to provide a good learning environment for learners and the neighbouring communities.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

A former Limpopo Police Captain was convicted and sentenced in the Giyani Regional Court for murder and attempted murder.

Dennis Paradise Nghunyulu, 59, who was attached to the Modjadjiskloof Police Station, was convicted of the murder of 23-year-old Osi Mkhabela and the attempted murder of the deceased’s older brother.

This follows an incident that took place at the accused's tavern at Makosha village in Giyani in 2019.

“The court heard the accused was about to close his tavern in the early hours at about 01:00 when a fight ensued between him and a customer. In the process, the accused took his wife's licensed firearm and shot the customer and his brother,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) statement read. 

“Police were notified. The first victim, Osi Mkhabela was certified dead on the scene by the paramedics, while his brother survived and was transported to the local hospital for medical treatment.”

The incident, according to SAPS, caused the community to go on a rampage and the following day they barricaded roads while others went to the accused's tavern and torched it along with his vehicles.

The accused later handed himself to the police.

He appeared before the local Magistrate's Court on 2 June 2019 where he was granted bail.

Last month, the accused was found guilty of murder and attempted murder. 

The court subsequently sentenced Nghunyulu on Friday, 21 July 2023, to 10 years imprisonment for murder and three years imprisonment for attempted murder.

“The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently. The case has been handled by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).”

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant, General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the sentences and hopes it sends a strong message that no one is above the law. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Eskom has ramped up load shedding to Stage 4 on Friday until 5am on Saturday morning.

The power utility had initially indicated that Stage 2 load shedding would be implemented during the day, today (Friday).

“Due to higher than anticipated demand, Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 10am [Friday] morning until 5am on Saturday. Eskom will publish another update should any significant changes occur,” Eskom said.

The power utility warned that consumers may “experience prolonged outages” during evening peak hours due to a combination of illegal connections and increased electricity consumption due to cold weather.

“Eskom customers in the areas of Blackheath, Bluedowns, Delft, Silversands and the Khayelitsha suburbs of Bongweni, Kwezi, Thembani and Site C are advised to switch off stoves, geysers, pool pumps and all electrical appliances during load shedding.

“Once the electricity has been restored, customers should wait at least 30 minutes before stoves, geysers and pool pumps to avoid the tripping of electricity,” the power utility said.

Eskom also issued alerts to those who have alternative electricity supply.

“Those customers with backup power supply, should ensure that their backup supply devices are disconnected to the main supply during load shedding restoration and can be connected after approximately 60 minutes.

“Eskom has several network strengthening projects underway in the affected networks. These projects will alleviate the network constraints to prevent cold load trips following load shedding and prolonged outages,” the power utility said. – SAnews.gov.za