Biotherm Energy
Winds of change Africa Outlook talks to green energy specialist Jasandra Nyker, CEO of independent power producer BioTherm Energy. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager James Mitchell South Africa's energy problems have been well documented and recent issues with the Medupi power station and its operating system, and the impasse between Exarro and striking workers, has ignited fears about winter power shortages and possible blackouts. Brian Dames, Eskom's chief executive, has admitted concerns with respect to Medupi and it is clear South Africa is in desperate need of more energy after a decade in which Eskom's pleas for investment in generation capacity were ignored. It has led to renewed calls for a broadening of the energy portfolio to include more flexible energy sources such as renewables. The government is already taking action and in November 2012, it signed the first round of agreements with independent power producers. In total, 28 projects are underway involving an estimated R47 billion in new investments, with those approved in the bid process's second round to turn sod later in the year. The first round projects will see an initial 1,4000 megawatts (MW ) of renewable energy added to SouthAfrica's energy mix by 2014. Bids for a third round have to be placed with the Department of Energy by August 2013. "It is all part of the Department of Energy's Integrated Resource Plan, through which it has planned the transformation of SA's energy mix to 2030," says Jasandra Nyker, CEO of South African independent power producer BioTherm Energy. "We won three projects…
BioTherm Energy
Winds of change Africa Outlook talks to green energy specialist Jasandra Nyker, CEO of independent power producer BioTherm Energy. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager James Mitchell South Africa's energy problems have been well documented and recent issues with the Medupi power station and its operating system, and the impasse between Exarro and striking workers, has ignited fears about winter power shortages and possible blackouts. Brian Dames, Eskom's chief executive, has admitted concerns with respect to Medupi and it is clear South Africa is in desperate need of more energy after a decade in which Eskom's pleas for investment in generation capacity were ignored. It has led to renewed calls for a broadening of the energy portfolio to include more flexible energy sources such as renewables. The government is already taking action and in November 2012, it signed the first round of agreements with independent power producers. In total, 28 projects are underway involving an estimated R47 billion in new investments, with those approved in the bid process's second round to turn sod later in the year. The first round projects will see an initial 1,4000 megawatts (MW ) of renewable energy added to SouthAfrica's energy mix by 2014. Bids for a third round have to be placed with the Department of Energy by August 2013. "It is all part of the Department of Energy's Integrated Resource Plan, through which it has planned the transformation of SA's energy mix to 2030," says Jasandra Nyker, CEO of South African independent power producer BioTherm Energy. "We won three projects…
