Podcasts about gcca

VIDEO - https://youtu.be/gCca_51_tsw ¿Fin del Embargo (Bloqueo) a Cuba? ¿Debe EE. UU. Levantar el Embargo a Cuba? Pros y Contras.En este video de ErnestoMiami, analizamos la polémica propuesta del Senador Ron Wyden: la "Ley de Comercio entre EE. UU. y Cuba de 2025". Este proyecto de ley busca poner fin al embargo que ha marcado las relaciones entre ambos países durante décadas, eliminando restricciones comerciales y financieras. Embargo vs. Bloqueo: Lo Que No Te Cuentan Sobre Cuba y EE. UU.Pero, ¿es realmente el embargo el responsable de los problemas de Cuba? Con datos sólidos, desglosamos cómo la corrupción, la mala gestión interna y el despilfarro en sectores como el turismo han llevado a la crisis económica de la isla. También revelamos cómo Cuba ha recibido millones en ayuda internacional y exportaciones de EE. UU., pero su incapacidad para pagar deudas y mejorar su economía pone en duda la efectividad de levantar las sanciones.¿Fortalecerá al régimen? ¿GAESA? ¿Los militares? Descubre las implicaciones éticas, políticas y económicas detrás de esta propuesta. La Verdad Sobre el Embargo a Cuba: ¿Realmente Afecta al Pueblo?¡No olvides suscribirte a ErnestoMiami para más análisis y dejar tus comentarios sobre este tema tan controversial!**** Para más videos VISITA - www.ErnestoMiami.com

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. The Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) has confirmed that the deadline for submissions under Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme has been extended by a month to May 30 to accommodate both grid-connection quotes and a curtailment addendum published by Eskom. The IPPO told Engineering News that a briefing note extending the timeline for application for grid cost estimate letters (CELs) to February 15 was issued at the end of January following requests from potential bidders at a bidders' conference that took place on January 17. "As a result of the extension of the CEL application timeline, and following consultation with Eskom, the department has approved the consequent extension of the bid submission date to allow Eskom more time to process the CEL applications, and also taking into consideration further requests from bidders to allow more time for the preparation of their bid responses. "After following the due processes, the CEL application date extension was communicated via a briefing note on 31 January 2024, and the bid submission extension via a briefing note on 8 March 2024," the IPPO explained in response to questions posed by Engineering News. On whether the decision was influenced by the curtailment addendum to the Grid Capacity Connection Assessment (GCCA 2025), the office responded: "Yes, the extension of the CEL application timeline was influenced by the curtailment addendum that allows prospective bidders to bid projects in areas unlocked by the curtailment addendum." Published in January following the launch of BW7 on December 14, the GCCA 2025 addendum states that 3 470 MW of additional grid capacity to connect wind generation will be made available by accepting a "reasonable share of no more than 10% of curtailment". A total of 2 680 MW of this capacity is available in the Western Cape and 790 MW in the Eastern Cape. The absence of such a framework during BW6 meant that none of the wind projects that had been vying for a 3 200 MW allocation advanced to preferred-bidder status. Earlier, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa confirmed that the capacity unlocked through curtailment was "immediately available, while the IPPO confirmed with Engineering News that the addendum enabled the department "to award wind projects within the Eastern and Western Cape in alignment with the provisions of the request for proposals". Asked what the new BW7 deadline meant for the launch of BW8, under which another 5 000 MW of wind and solar will be allocated for procurement and which was proposed for release by the end of March, the IPPO said: "The official timelines for Bid Window 8 will be communicated as soon as governance approvals have been granted."

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. The Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) has confirmed that the deadline for submissions under Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme has been extended by a month to May 30 to accommodate both grid-connection quotes and a curtailment addendum published by Eskom. The IPPO told Engineering News that a briefing note extending the timeline for application for grid cost estimate letters (CELs) to February 15 was issued at the end of January following requests from potential bidders at a bidders' conference that took place on January 17. "As a result of the extension of the CEL application timeline, and following consultation with Eskom, the department has approved the consequent extension of the bid submission date to allow Eskom more time to process the CEL applications, and also taking into consideration further requests from bidders to allow more time for the preparation of their bid responses. "After following the due processes, the CEL application date extension was communicated via a briefing note on 31 January 2024, and the bid submission extension via a briefing note on 8 March 2024," the IPPO explained in response to questions posed by Engineering News. On whether the decision was influenced by the curtailment addendum to the Grid Capacity Connection Assessment (GCCA 2025), the office responded: "Yes, the extension of the CEL application timeline was influenced by the curtailment addendum that allows prospective bidders to bid projects in areas unlocked by the curtailment addendum." Published in January following the launch of BW7 on December 14, the GCCA 2025 addendum states that 3 470 MW of additional grid capacity to connect wind generation will be made available by accepting a "reasonable share of no more than 10% of curtailment". A total of 2 680 MW of this capacity is available in the Western Cape and 790 MW in the Eastern Cape. The absence of such a framework during BW6 meant that none of the wind projects that had been vying for a 3 200 MW allocation advanced to preferred-bidder status. Earlier, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa confirmed that the capacity unlocked through curtailment was "immediately available, while the IPPO confirmed with Engineering News that the addendum enabled the department "to award wind projects within the Eastern and Western Cape in alignment with the provisions of the request for proposals". Asked what the new BW7 deadline meant for the launch of BW8, under which another 5 000 MW of wind and solar will be allocated for procurement and which was proposed for release by the end of March, the IPPO said: "The official timelines for Bid Window 8 will be communicated as soon as governance approvals have been granted."

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) have both confirmed that the curtailment framework outlined by Eskom in January is immediately available to wind IPPs preparing to bid under Bid Window Seven (BW7) of South Africa's public renewables procurement programme, launched in December. Published as an addendum to the latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA 2025), the framework states that 3 470 MW of additional grid capacity to connect wind generation will be made available by accepting a "reasonable share of no more than 10% of curtailment". Curtailment is defined in the document as the controlled reduction of the output of renewable energy plants as a system operator response to transmission capacity constraints. It adds that 2 680 MW of this capacity is available in the Western Cape and 790 MW in the Eastern Cape - provinces that together with the Northern Cape were shown in the original GCCA as having no remaining grid capacity to connect new generation. The absence of a curtailment framework during BW6 meant that none of the wind projects that had been vying for a 3 200 MW allocation advanced to preferred-bidder status. In his latest briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, Ramokgopa said that Eskom's January statement indicated that the capacity was "immediately available". Likewise, the IPPO told Engineering News that, while it was not able to comment in detail given that a procurement process was under way, the release of the GCCA 2025 addendum had unlocked additional grid capacity for wind projects. "This enables the department to award wind projects within the Eastern and Western Cape in alignment with the provisions of the request for proposals." The confirmation is also in line with a statement made following the most recent meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Cabinet members with senior business leaders, in which it was stated that Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa should ensure that grid capacity is available for the full allocation outlined in BW7. Government is seeking to procure 3 200 MW of wind and 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity through the round. Meanwhile, Ramokgopa reported that he would meet with the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) board on March 12 to discuss options for private sector participation in the roll-out of grid capacity in advance of the schedule outlined in the current Transmission Development Plan (TDP). At the meeting, the work that had been done regarding a possible role for the private financing, construction and operation of additional grid infrastructure would be canvassed with the NTCSA, which had overall responsibility for grid and system operations. Ramokgopa said that given Eskom's balance sheet pressures and the "ticket size" of the projects, external financing could help play a role in accelerating the TDP, particularly in the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape. Eskom has indicated that it has funding available for the first three years of the TDP, during which only 1 675 km of line is planned for construction, leaving the lion's share of 14 218 km proposed for construction by 2032 to be implemented in the latter five years. He said the Ministry would share its proposals with the NTCSA having studied various options from peer countries, which had been tailored to South Africa's conditions. The idea was then for the NTCSA to champion the concept of private financing in a way that met its needs and the needs of the system. "I'm confident there will be symmetry in relation to the need for us to access that private financing, but it's now about how you do it."

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) have both confirmed that the curtailment framework outlined by Eskom in January is immediately available to wind IPPs preparing to bid under Bid Window Seven (BW7) of South Africa's public renewables procurement programme, launched in December. Published as an addendum to the latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA 2025), the framework states that 3 470 MW of additional grid capacity to connect wind generation will be made available by accepting a "reasonable share of no more than 10% of curtailment". Curtailment is defined in the document as the controlled reduction of the output of renewable energy plants as a system operator response to transmission capacity constraints. It adds that 2 680 MW of this capacity is available in the Western Cape and 790 MW in the Eastern Cape - provinces that together with the Northern Cape were shown in the original GCCA as having no remaining grid capacity to connect new generation. The absence of a curtailment framework during BW6 meant that none of the wind projects that had been vying for a 3 200 MW allocation advanced to preferred-bidder status. In his latest briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, Ramokgopa said that Eskom's January statement indicated that the capacity was "immediately available". Likewise, the IPPO told Engineering News that, while it was not able to comment in detail given that a procurement process was under way, the release of the GCCA 2025 addendum had unlocked additional grid capacity for wind projects. "This enables the department to award wind projects within the Eastern and Western Cape in alignment with the provisions of the request for proposals." The confirmation is also in line with a statement made following the most recent meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Cabinet members with senior business leaders, in which it was stated that Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa should ensure that grid capacity is available for the full allocation outlined in BW7. Government is seeking to procure 3 200 MW of wind and 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity through the round. Meanwhile, Ramokgopa reported that he would meet with the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) board on March 12 to discuss options for private sector participation in the roll-out of grid capacity in advance of the schedule outlined in the current Transmission Development Plan (TDP). At the meeting, the work that had been done regarding a possible role for the private financing, construction and operation of additional grid infrastructure would be canvassed with the NTCSA, which had overall responsibility for grid and system operations. Ramokgopa said that given Eskom's balance sheet pressures and the "ticket size" of the projects, external financing could help play a role in accelerating the TDP, particularly in the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape. Eskom has indicated that it has funding available for the first three years of the TDP, during which only 1 675 km of line is planned for construction, leaving the lion's share of 14 218 km proposed for construction by 2032 to be implemented in the latter five years. He said the Ministry would share its proposals with the NTCSA having studied various options from peer countries, which had been tailored to South Africa's conditions. The idea was then for the NTCSA to champion the concept of private financing in a way that met its needs and the needs of the system. "I'm confident there will be symmetry in relation to the need for us to access that private financing, but it's now about how you do it."

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. The Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) reports that it is engaging with Eskom on its newly released curtailment addendum to the latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA 2025) - through the addendum 3 470 MW of additional connection capacity for wind generators has been unlocked in two grid-constrained provinces. Prior to the publication of the addendum, the GCCA 2025 indicated there to be no remaining grid capacity available in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces. But the addendum indicates that, by accepting a "reasonable share of no more than 10% of curtailment", 2 680 MW of capacity is available in the Western Cape and 790 MW in the Eastern Cape. The changes have potential implications for those wind IPPs preparing to bid for a 3 200 MW allocation included as part of Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which was launched on December 14. However, in response to an enquiry, the IPPO told Engineering News that it was "unable to comment at this stage other than the fact that this capacity will be considered for incorporation as part of BW7". "We are currently engaging with Eskom on this issue and will communicate further with potential bidders. "All potential bidders on the programme are also reminded to approach Eskom for cost estimate letters by the cut-off date of 31 January 2024 and such applications could cover the Western and Eastern Cape where capacity has been unlocked through curtailment," the IPPO said. The closing date for bid submissions under BW7, through which government is also seeking to procure 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic, is April 30.

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. The Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) reports that it is engaging with Eskom on its newly released curtailment addendum to the latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA 2025) - through the addendum 3 470 MW of additional connection capacity for wind generators has been unlocked in two grid-constrained provinces. Prior to the publication of the addendum, the GCCA 2025 indicated there to be no remaining grid capacity available in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces. But the addendum indicates that, by accepting a "reasonable share of no more than 10% of curtailment", 2 680 MW of capacity is available in the Western Cape and 790 MW in the Eastern Cape. The changes have potential implications for those wind IPPs preparing to bid for a 3 200 MW allocation included as part of Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which was launched on December 14. However, in response to an enquiry, the IPPO told Engineering News that it was "unable to comment at this stage other than the fact that this capacity will be considered for incorporation as part of BW7". "We are currently engaging with Eskom on this issue and will communicate further with potential bidders. "All potential bidders on the programme are also reminded to approach Eskom for cost estimate letters by the cut-off date of 31 January 2024 and such applications could cover the Western and Eastern Cape where capacity has been unlocked through curtailment," the IPPO said. The closing date for bid submissions under BW7, through which government is also seeking to procure 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic, is April 30.

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Eskom has taken a major step in unlocking much-needed grid capacity for wind projects in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces by publishing the highly-anticipated curtailment addendum to its latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment, or GCCA 2025. The addendum, which has been published on Eskom's website and has been approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), states that, by accepting a "reasonable share of no more than 10% of curtailment", 3 470 MW of additional grid capacity to connect wind generation will be made available, including 2 680 MW in the Western Cape and 790 MW in the Eastern Cape. Curtailment is defined in the document as the controlled reduction of the output of renewable energy plants as a system operator response to transmission capacity constraints. "When the grid limit is reached, any further increase of generation in the supply area leads to grid congestion. In such cases, and in order to remove the congestion, generation has to be reduced." However, it argues that the generation connection capacity for constrained areas can be safely increased by accepting a reasonable share of curtailment, adding, too, that curtailment will maximise the use of the existing grid. Prior to the addendum, the GCCA 2025 had stated that there was no remaining grid capacity in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces, while indicating there to be some 19 900 MW of capacity in the rest of the country. The publication of the addendum could have major implications for the renewables bid window currently under way for the procurement of 5 000 MW, divided between 3 200 MW of wind and 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV). Although it has not yet been confirmed whether the new curtailment framework will now be applied during the round, with another bidding round due for release by the end of March. Bid Window Seven is the first bidding round to be hosted following the partial failure of Bid Window Six, when only solar PV projects with a combined capacity of 1 000 MW advanced to a preferred-bidder stage after Eskom indicated there to be no remaining grid-connection capacity for those wind projects that had been vying for a 3 200 MW allocation. This failure led to significant debate about why a mechanisms such as curtailment, which is used by system operators globally to maximise the use of the grid, was not being employed given the urgency to close what is considered to be a supply shortfall of at least 6 000 MW and in light of intensifying loadshedding. An assessment by Eskom and two leading European transmission system operators - 50Hertz of Germany and Elia of Belgium - was then undertaken last year. It showed that the capacity of the existing Western Cape grid to host variable renewable generators could be doubled under a scenario where no more than 10% curtailment was implemented. Nevertheless, no such curtailment framework was included in the GCCA 2025, which was published in October. However, Eskom promised that an addendum would be published once it had received the necessary internal governance authorisations, as well as Nersa's approval. Ahead of the publication of the GCCA 2025 addendum, it was assumed that wind projects in particular would have to be bid in lower-yielding regions, unless they had existing grid connection budget quotes or could secure capacity that had expired in relation to projects that failed to reach financial close under the risk mitigation round and the fifth renewables bid window. Independent Power Producer Office head Bernard Magoro indicated ahead of the addendum's release that this was likely to result in a price premium, noting that in previous rounds, wind projects bid in Mpumalanga had carried tariffs that were 30% higher than those in the Cape provinces. The GCCA addendum itself highlights ongoin...

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Eskom has taken a major step in unlocking much-needed grid capacity for wind projects in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces by publishing the highly-anticipated curtailment addendum to its latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment, or GCCA 2025. The addendum, which has been published on Eskom's website and has been approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), states that, by accepting a "reasonable share of no more than 10% of curtailment", 3 470 MW of additional grid capacity to connect wind generation will be made available, including 2 680 MW in the Western Cape and 790 MW in the Eastern Cape. Curtailment is defined in the document as the controlled reduction of the output of renewable energy plants as a system operator response to transmission capacity constraints. "When the grid limit is reached, any further increase of generation in the supply area leads to grid congestion. In such cases, and in order to remove the congestion, generation has to be reduced." However, it argues that the generation connection capacity for constrained areas can be safely increased by accepting a reasonable share of curtailment, adding, too, that curtailment will maximise the use of the existing grid. Prior to the addendum, the GCCA 2025 had stated that there was no remaining grid capacity in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces, while indicating there to be some 19 900 MW of capacity in the rest of the country. The publication of the addendum could have major implications for the renewables bid window currently under way for the procurement of 5 000 MW, divided between 3 200 MW of wind and 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV). Although it has not yet been confirmed whether the new curtailment framework will now be applied during the round, with another bidding round due for release by the end of March. Bid Window Seven is the first bidding round to be hosted following the partial failure of Bid Window Six, when only solar PV projects with a combined capacity of 1 000 MW advanced to a preferred-bidder stage after Eskom indicated there to be no remaining grid-connection capacity for those wind projects that had been vying for a 3 200 MW allocation. This failure led to significant debate about why a mechanisms such as curtailment, which is used by system operators globally to maximise the use of the grid, was not being employed given the urgency to close what is considered to be a supply shortfall of at least 6 000 MW and in light of intensifying loadshedding. An assessment by Eskom and two leading European transmission system operators - 50Hertz of Germany and Elia of Belgium - was then undertaken last year. It showed that the capacity of the existing Western Cape grid to host variable renewable generators could be doubled under a scenario where no more than 10% curtailment was implemented. Nevertheless, no such curtailment framework was included in the GCCA 2025, which was published in October. However, Eskom promised that an addendum would be published once it had received the necessary internal governance authorisations, as well as Nersa's approval. Ahead of the publication of the GCCA 2025 addendum, it was assumed that wind projects in particular would have to be bid in lower-yielding regions, unless they had existing grid connection budget quotes or could secure capacity that had expired in relation to projects that failed to reach financial close under the risk mitigation round and the fifth renewables bid window. Independent Power Producer Office head Bernard Magoro indicated ahead of the addendum's release that this was likely to result in a price premium, noting that in previous rounds, wind projects bid in Mpumalanga had carried tariffs that were 30% higher than those in the Cape provinces. The GCCA addendum itself highlights ongoin...

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) have a busy week ahead, with three virtual bidders conferences to be hosted over Wednesday and Thursday, and with the department also scheduled to host a public workshop on the draft 2023 edition of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2023). The bidders conferences follow the release, on December 14, of three new requests for proposals (RFPs) for the public procurement of 7 615 MW of new generation capacity from wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), gas to power and battery energy storage technologies. Under Bid Window Seven (BW 7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, the DMRE is seeking to procure 5 000 MW of new renewable energy, comprising 3 200 MW of onshore wind and 1 800 MW of solar PV. The bid window is the first launched following the partial failure of BW 6, when only solar preferred bidders, with a combined capacity of 1 000 MW, were selected after Eskom informed the wind bidders, which had been vying for a 3 200 MW allocation, that their grid capacity at the locations proposed for connection had been fully absorbed. These grid constraints will remain a key backdrop to BW 7 and could force bidders to propose projects in areas with less potent resources, but where there is remaining capacity to connect. It is not yet clear whether grid-releasing curtailment will be integrated into the round, with Eskom having confirmed in December only that a curtailment framework had been presented to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa for approval. In October, Eskom published its latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA), indicating there to be 19.9 GW of grid-connection capacity available nationally, but with zero capacity remaining in the three Cape provinces and the Hydra Central area, which borders the Cape provinces and the Free State. It later indicated that a curtailment addendum to the GCCA would be published that could unlock 4 GW of connection capacity in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. Bidders are expected to be provided with additional information on the approach that will be taken to the prevailing grid constraint during a virtual bidders conference, which is schedule for 9:00 on January 18. At 14:00 on the same day, a virtual bidders conference is also planned for the second bid window of government's Battery Energy Storage IPP Procurement Programme, or BESIPPPP BW 2, following the recent unveiling of preferred bidders following the inaugural bidding round. On November 30, four utility-scale battery energy storage system projects in the Northern Cape, with a combined investment value of R10-billion, were named as preferred bids, while negotiations were continuing with a fifth bidder. Through BESIPPPP BW 2, government is seeking to procure 615 MW/2 460 MWh across eight substations in the 'North West Supply Area'. At 9:00 on January 18, meanwhile, a virtual conference is planned for government's inaugural 2 000 MW Gas Programme, or GASIPPPP BW 1, the RFP for which was also released in December. GASIPPPP BW 1 has been launched on a site-agnostic basis, with the DMRE indicating that a separate procurement process will be held for 1 000 MW of capacity to be developed near to the Port of Ngqura, in the Eastern Cape. The gas programme was launched just ahead of the DMRE's release of the draft IRP 2023 for public comment. The document includes a far larger allocation for gas for the period to 2030 than is the case in the current IRP 2019; a position that not only reduces the renewables allocation for the period relative to the current IRP but which is likely to face heavy scrutiny and criticism from many of those who will comment on the plan ahead of the February 23 deadline for written comments. The DMRE has not provided for oral hearings as has been the case previously and has instead only set aside two dates for public workshops, with the first workshop schedu...

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) have a busy week ahead, with three virtual bidders conferences to be hosted over Wednesday and Thursday, and with the department also scheduled to host a public workshop on the draft 2023 edition of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2023). The bidders conferences follow the release, on December 14, of three new requests for proposals (RFPs) for the public procurement of 7 615 MW of new generation capacity from wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), gas to power and battery energy storage technologies. Under Bid Window Seven (BW 7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, the DMRE is seeking to procure 5 000 MW of new renewable energy, comprising 3 200 MW of onshore wind and 1 800 MW of solar PV. The bid window is the first launched following the partial failure of BW 6, when only solar preferred bidders, with a combined capacity of 1 000 MW, were selected after Eskom informed the wind bidders, which had been vying for a 3 200 MW allocation, that their grid capacity at the locations proposed for connection had been fully absorbed. These grid constraints will remain a key backdrop to BW 7 and could force bidders to propose projects in areas with less potent resources, but where there is remaining capacity to connect. It is not yet clear whether grid-releasing curtailment will be integrated into the round, with Eskom having confirmed in December only that a curtailment framework had been presented to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa for approval. In October, Eskom published its latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA), indicating there to be 19.9 GW of grid-connection capacity available nationally, but with zero capacity remaining in the three Cape provinces and the Hydra Central area, which borders the Cape provinces and the Free State. It later indicated that a curtailment addendum to the GCCA would be published that could unlock 4 GW of connection capacity in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. Bidders are expected to be provided with additional information on the approach that will be taken to the prevailing grid constraint during a virtual bidders conference, which is schedule for 9:00 on January 18. At 14:00 on the same day, a virtual bidders conference is also planned for the second bid window of government's Battery Energy Storage IPP Procurement Programme, or BESIPPPP BW 2, following the recent unveiling of preferred bidders following the inaugural bidding round. On November 30, four utility-scale battery energy storage system projects in the Northern Cape, with a combined investment value of R10-billion, were named as preferred bids, while negotiations were continuing with a fifth bidder. Through BESIPPPP BW 2, government is seeking to procure 615 MW/2 460 MWh across eight substations in the 'North West Supply Area'. At 9:00 on January 18, meanwhile, a virtual conference is planned for government's inaugural 2 000 MW Gas Programme, or GASIPPPP BW 1, the RFP for which was also released in December. GASIPPPP BW 1 has been launched on a site-agnostic basis, with the DMRE indicating that a separate procurement process will be held for 1 000 MW of capacity to be developed near to the Port of Ngqura, in the Eastern Cape. The gas programme was launched just ahead of the DMRE's release of the draft IRP 2023 for public comment. The document includes a far larger allocation for gas for the period to 2030 than is the case in the current IRP 2019; a position that not only reduces the renewables allocation for the period relative to the current IRP but which is likely to face heavy scrutiny and criticism from many of those who will comment on the plan ahead of the February 23 deadline for written comments. The DMRE has not provided for oral hearings as has been the case previously and has instead only set aside two dates for public workshops, with the first workshop schedu...

This episode we have a chat with our new president LeNora Hawkins-Ponzo. She shares her vision for GCCA as the president for 2024. We also have some updates for our up coming conferences. 

The South African government has released three requests for proposals (RFPs) for new electricity generation and storage capacity, including 5 000 MW of new wind and solar, 2 000 MW of gas-to-power and 615 MW/2 460 MWh of battery storage. Under the much anticipated and delayed seventh bid window (BW7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is seeking bids by April 30 for the development of 3 200 MW of wind and 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV). The inaugural Gas Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (GIPPPP), meanwhile, has been launched on a site-agnostic basis, with the DMRE indicating that a separate procurement process will be held for 1 000 MW of capacity to be developed near to the Port of Ngqura, in the Eastern Cape. A closing date for bid submissions has been set as August 30 for the GIPPPP, which is targeting land-based electricity generation facilities. The DMRE is aiming to announce preferred bidders three months after the bid submission deadline and states that financial close will follow about four months after the preferred-bidder announcement. The second bidding round for the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP), is seeking facilities with a minimum size of 77 MW and a maximum size of 153 MW, all with four hours storage. The procurement round calls for eight storage facilities within close proximity to Eskom-selected transmission substations in the 'Northwest Supply Area', namely: Mercury, Carmel, Hermes, Ngwedi, Midas, Marang and Bighorn substations. The BESIPPPP stipulates a minimum availability of 95% over 8 760 hours per contracted year and the facilities will be expected to provide instantaneous, regulating and supplementary reserves. On November 30, the DMRE announced the names of the preferred bidders arising from the first BESIPPPP round and also reported that it was in negotiations for a project at a fifth site. The four installations are all earmarked for development in the Northern Cape and will have a combined capacity of 360 MW/1 440 MWh, as well as a combined investment value of R10-billion. The three RFPs are the first to be initiated following the partial failure of REIPPPP BW6, during which only preferred bidders for a 1 000 MW solar PV allocation were selected from a round that expected to procure 4 200 MW. This, after Eskom indicated that the grid connection capacity that formed the basis for 23 wind bids vying for a 3 200 MW allocation had been absorbed by independent power producers pursuing private power purchase agreements. The development led to Eskom adopting new interim rules for the issuance of grid connection cost estimate letters and budget quotes from the 'first come, first served' model that had been used previously to a so-called 'first ready, first served' approach, and to flag that it intended moving to a gated process in future. In a statement confirming the three tenders, the DMRE urged prospective bidders to take note of the available grid capacity in the different areas of supply as indicated in the 2025 Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA), which was published by Eskom in late October. No mention was made of a proposed addendum to the GCCA outlining a curtailment framework, which could open up grid capacity in those areas that are currently shown in the GCCA as having no further capacity to evacuate new electricity. As had become the norm with government's approach to IPP bids, prospective bidders would be required to pay a non-refundable fee of R25 000 for access to the RFP for each project submission. The department reported that it would convene Bidders' Conferences in respect of the three bid windows, which would be hosted on an e-platform on January 17 and 18, to provide more information on the qualifying criteria and bid submission expectations.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has released the much-anticipated and delayed seventh bid window (BW7) of Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), through which it will be seeking bids for the development of 3 200 MW of wind and 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV). In a statement, the department notes that BW7 was the first bidding round launched in line with the Ministerial Determination published by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe in December 2022. The determination outlined an intention to procure 14 771 MW of new generation and storage capacity, including 3 940 MW of solar PV, 9 600 MW of wind and 1 231 MW of battery energy storage. The BW7 request for proposals (RFP) for 5 000 MW follows the partial failure of BW6, during which only preferred bidders for a 1 000 MW solar PV allocation were selected, after Eskom indicated that the grid connection capacity that formed the basis for 23 wind bids vying for a 3 200 MW allocation had been absorbed by independent power producers pursuing private power purchase agreements (PPAs). The development led to Eskom adopting new interim rules for the issuance of grid connection cost estimate letters (CELs) and budget quotes from the 'first come, first served' model that had been used previously to a so-called 'first ready, first served', and to flag that it intended moving to a gated process in future. In late October, Eskom also released an updated Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) and signalled that it would add an amendment outlining its curtailment framework, which could unlock grid capacity in the areas currently identified in the GCCA as having zero grid-connection capacity. In its statement confirming the launch of BW7, the DMRE said bidders should note the available areas of supply in the GCCA, which was available on the Eskom website, but made no reference to the curtailment framework. "To ensure that bidders receive their CELs in time for bid submission, the cut-off date for bidders to apply for a CEL is 90 days prior to the bid submission date. "This is to ensure Eskom has sufficient time to process all CEL applications received (up to 90 days)." A bid submission date of April 30, 2024, has been set, along with a January 31 deadline for the application for CELs. The DMRE also said that, given South Africa's prevailing "energy challenges", which had resulted in 2023 being the worst for loadshedding the country has faced, the qualification criteria had been developed to promote the submission of "fully developed" projects that were able to be constructed and connected no later than 24 months after achieving commercial close. "In addition to the provision of energy output, this REIPPPP covers the provision of and payment for ancillary services, which support the reliable and secure operation of the transmission system by the buyer, acting through its system operator," the statement adds. A Bidders' Conference has been scheduled for January 17 to "provide more information on the functionality, evaluation requirement criteria, and bid submission expectations". As is the norm with REIPPPP bids, prospective bidders are required to pay a non-refundable fee of R25 000 to have access to the RFP and to submit one project at the bid submission date. "If the prospective bidder intends to submit more than one project, they will need to make an additional payment of R25 000 net of all charges per additional project." The DMRE also indicated that the evaluation of the bids was expected to endure for three months following the submission of bids on April 30, with a financial close "long stop date of one month post". However, the REIPPPP has been prone to delays following its resumption in 2021 and after having been disrupted for seven years owing to a refusal by Eskom leadership, from 2015, to enter into new PPAs on the basis of a claim that the utility had sufficient generation capacity. Several B...

The South African government has released three requests for proposals (RFPs) for new electricity generation and storage capacity, including 5 000 MW of new wind and solar, 2 000 MW of gas-to-power and 615 MW/2 460 MWh of battery storage. Under the much anticipated and delayed seventh bid window (BW7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is seeking bids by April 30 for the development of 3 200 MW of wind and 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV). The inaugural Gas Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (GIPPPP), meanwhile, has been launched on a site-agnostic basis, with the DMRE indicating that a separate procurement process will be held for 1 000 MW of capacity to be developed near to the Port of Ngqura, in the Eastern Cape. A closing date for bid submissions has been set as August 30 for the GIPPPP, which is targeting land-based electricity generation facilities. The DMRE is aiming to announce preferred bidders three months after the bid submission deadline and states that financial close will follow about four months after the preferred-bidder announcement. The second bidding round for the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP), is seeking facilities with a minimum size of 77 MW and a maximum size of 153 MW, all with four hours storage. The procurement round calls for eight storage facilities within close proximity to Eskom-selected transmission substations in the 'Northwest Supply Area', namely: Mercury, Carmel, Hermes, Ngwedi, Midas, Marang and Bighorn substations. The BESIPPPP stipulates a minimum availability of 95% over 8 760 hours per contracted year and the facilities will be expected to provide instantaneous, regulating and supplementary reserves. On November 30, the DMRE announced the names of the preferred bidders arising from the first BESIPPPP round and also reported that it was in negotiations for a project at a fifth site. The four installations are all earmarked for development in the Northern Cape and will have a combined capacity of 360 MW/1 440 MWh, as well as a combined investment value of R10-billion. The three RFPs are the first to be initiated following the partial failure of REIPPPP BW6, during which only preferred bidders for a 1 000 MW solar PV allocation were selected from a round that expected to procure 4 200 MW. This, after Eskom indicated that the grid connection capacity that formed the basis for 23 wind bids vying for a 3 200 MW allocation had been absorbed by independent power producers pursuing private power purchase agreements. The development led to Eskom adopting new interim rules for the issuance of grid connection cost estimate letters and budget quotes from the 'first come, first served' model that had been used previously to a so-called 'first ready, first served' approach, and to flag that it intended moving to a gated process in future. In a statement confirming the three tenders, the DMRE urged prospective bidders to take note of the available grid capacity in the different areas of supply as indicated in the 2025 Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA), which was published by Eskom in late October. No mention was made of a proposed addendum to the GCCA outlining a curtailment framework, which could open up grid capacity in those areas that are currently shown in the GCCA as having no further capacity to evacuate new electricity. As had become the norm with government's approach to IPP bids, prospective bidders would be required to pay a non-refundable fee of R25 000 for access to the RFP for each project submission. The department reported that it would convene Bidders' Conferences in respect of the three bid windows, which would be hosted on an e-platform on January 17 and 18, to provide more information on the qualifying criteria and bid submission expectations.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has released the much-anticipated and delayed seventh bid window (BW7) of Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), through which it will be seeking bids for the development of 3 200 MW of wind and 1 800 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV). In a statement, the department notes that BW7 was the first bidding round launched in line with the Ministerial Determination published by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe in December 2022. The determination outlined an intention to procure 14 771 MW of new generation and storage capacity, including 3 940 MW of solar PV, 9 600 MW of wind and 1 231 MW of battery energy storage. The BW7 request for proposals (RFP) for 5 000 MW follows the partial failure of BW6, during which only preferred bidders for a 1 000 MW solar PV allocation were selected, after Eskom indicated that the grid connection capacity that formed the basis for 23 wind bids vying for a 3 200 MW allocation had been absorbed by independent power producers pursuing private power purchase agreements (PPAs). The development led to Eskom adopting new interim rules for the issuance of grid connection cost estimate letters (CELs) and budget quotes from the 'first come, first served' model that had been used previously to a so-called 'first ready, first served', and to flag that it intended moving to a gated process in future. In late October, Eskom also released an updated Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) and signalled that it would add an amendment outlining its curtailment framework, which could unlock grid capacity in the areas currently identified in the GCCA as having zero grid-connection capacity. In its statement confirming the launch of BW7, the DMRE said bidders should note the available areas of supply in the GCCA, which was available on the Eskom website, but made no reference to the curtailment framework. "To ensure that bidders receive their CELs in time for bid submission, the cut-off date for bidders to apply for a CEL is 90 days prior to the bid submission date. "This is to ensure Eskom has sufficient time to process all CEL applications received (up to 90 days)." A bid submission date of April 30, 2024, has been set, along with a January 31 deadline for the application for CELs. The DMRE also said that, given South Africa's prevailing "energy challenges", which had resulted in 2023 being the worst for loadshedding the country has faced, the qualification criteria had been developed to promote the submission of "fully developed" projects that were able to be constructed and connected no later than 24 months after achieving commercial close. "In addition to the provision of energy output, this REIPPPP covers the provision of and payment for ancillary services, which support the reliable and secure operation of the transmission system by the buyer, acting through its system operator," the statement adds. A Bidders' Conference has been scheduled for January 17 to "provide more information on the functionality, evaluation requirement criteria, and bid submission expectations". As is the norm with REIPPPP bids, prospective bidders are required to pay a non-refundable fee of R25 000 to have access to the RFP and to submit one project at the bid submission date. "If the prospective bidder intends to submit more than one project, they will need to make an additional payment of R25 000 net of all charges per additional project." The DMRE also indicated that the evaluation of the bids was expected to endure for three months following the submission of bids on April 30, with a financial close "long stop date of one month post". However, the REIPPPP has been prone to delays following its resumption in 2021 and after having been disrupted for seven years owing to a refusal by Eskom leadership, from 2015, to enter into new PPAs on the basis of a claim that the utility had sufficient generation capacity. Several B...

Eskom has confirmed that it has delivered a curtailment framework, as well as its proposed Gated Generator Connection Process (GGCP) to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) for approval. However, it is not yet clear whether either will be approved ahead of the restart of public procurement for new independent power producer (IPP) capacity. Minerals Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe reported this week that Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme would be launched "within two weeks", along with an inaugural gas-to-power bidding round and a second battery storage bid window. The renewables bidding round was initially expected to be launched by mid-year following the partial failure of the previous round, when no wind project advanced to preferred-bidder status after Eskom indicated that all grid connection capacity in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces had been absorbed. The subsequent renewables round, together with the gas-to-power and second battery bid window, had since been delayed largely because of ongoing uncertainty over what grid capacity was still available and whether Eskom would implement curtailment to unlock capacity in the grid-constrained provinces. In October, Eskom published its latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA), indicating there to be 19.9 GW of grid-connection capacity available nationally, but with zero capacity remaining in the three Cape provinces and the Hydra Central area, which borders the Cape provinces and the Free State. In November, however, Eskom indicated that curtailment studies had been undertaken to provide "developers with an alternate option if they are still keen to connect in these constrained areas". It also indicated that a curtailment addendum to the GCCA would be published that could unlock 4 GW of connection capacity in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. Speaking from the same platform where Mantashe announced the new IPP bidding timeframe, Eskom Transmission MD Segomoco Scheppers confirmed that the curtailment framework and GGCP were currently before Nersa but did not comment on when the regulator was expected to decide on the documents. IPP Office head Bernard Magoro indicated that there had been ongoing engagements with Eskom following BW6 to find solutions to the grid-access issues that rose to prominence during the round, as well as to ensure an "orderly approach" to grid allocation, in light of regulatory changes that had made it possible for private-offtaker projects of any size to proceed in the absence of a licence, including when these were grid-connected. Eskom's GGCP proposes a shift from a one-on-one assessment of the connection requests to a clustered process, whereby aggregated grid adequacy and stability assessments will be made in batches. The GGCP also envisages "rolling cycles of procurement" that alternate between the public and private offtaker programmes, with grid cost estimate letters to be specific to each programme. It was not immediately certain whether Nersa intended hosting hearings on either the curtailment framework or the GGCP.

Eskom has confirmed that it has delivered a curtailment framework, as well as its proposed Gated Generator Connection Process (GGCP) to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) for approval. However, it is not yet clear whether either will be approved ahead of the restart of public procurement for new independent power producer (IPP) capacity. Minerals Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe reported this week that Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme would be launched "within two weeks", along with an inaugural gas-to-power bidding round and a second battery storage bid window. The renewables bidding round was initially expected to be launched by mid-year following the partial failure of the previous round, when no wind project advanced to preferred-bidder status after Eskom indicated that all grid connection capacity in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces had been absorbed. The subsequent renewables round, together with the gas-to-power and second battery bid window, had since been delayed largely because of ongoing uncertainty over what grid capacity was still available and whether Eskom would implement curtailment to unlock capacity in the grid-constrained provinces. In October, Eskom published its latest Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA), indicating there to be 19.9 GW of grid-connection capacity available nationally, but with zero capacity remaining in the three Cape provinces and the Hydra Central area, which borders the Cape provinces and the Free State. In November, however, Eskom indicated that curtailment studies had been undertaken to provide "developers with an alternate option if they are still keen to connect in these constrained areas". It also indicated that a curtailment addendum to the GCCA would be published that could unlock 4 GW of connection capacity in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. Speaking from the same platform where Mantashe announced the new IPP bidding timeframe, Eskom Transmission MD Segomoco Scheppers confirmed that the curtailment framework and GGCP were currently before Nersa but did not comment on when the regulator was expected to decide on the documents. IPP Office head Bernard Magoro indicated that there had been ongoing engagements with Eskom following BW6 to find solutions to the grid-access issues that rose to prominence during the round, as well as to ensure an "orderly approach" to grid allocation, in light of regulatory changes that had made it possible for private-offtaker projects of any size to proceed in the absence of a licence, including when these were grid-connected. Eskom's GGCP proposes a shift from a one-on-one assessment of the connection requests to a clustered process, whereby aggregated grid adequacy and stability assessments will be made in batches. The GGCP also envisages "rolling cycles of procurement" that alternate between the public and private offtaker programmes, with grid cost estimate letters to be specific to each programme. It was not immediately certain whether Nersa intended hosting hearings on either the curtailment framework or the GGCP.

The associations representing the wind and solar sectors as well as independent power producers (IPPs) more generally are eagerly awaiting a proposed curtailment addendum to Eskom's Grid Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA), which is published yearly to provide connection visibility for new utility scale generators. The latest GCCA was published at the end of October and states that, while there is still 19.9 GW of capacity available, all capacity has been absorbed in the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape provinces, as well as Eskom's Hydra Central grid area, which borders the Cape provinces and the Free State. It was published in the absence of a highly anticipated new framework outlining Eskom's approach to curtailment, which has potential to unlock significant capacity in areas that have previously been shown as having no more capacity to connect. Curtailment involves the active reduction of output from wind and solar plants in response to system security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints and is widely used by system operators globally to introduce variable renewable generators and optimise the use of the grid. It follows a logic that can arguably be likened to the one used by airlines when seating is overbooked ahead of a scheduled flight in an effort to ensure it is full in a context where some bookings are likely to fall away. Eskom has belatedly aligned itself to this view, having indicated that curtailment will be used even when additional grid capacity is added in areas of constraint, as it would yield the most cost-effective outcome and is, thus, fully aligned to the least-cost criterion embedded in the country's Grid Code. The lack of such a framework came to the fore painfully last year when none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW public-procurement allocation was selected to proceed on the basis of grid depletion. Eskom has confirmed that a curtailment addendum to the GCCA will be published and has indicated that the framework should unlock 4 GW of connection capacity immediately in the wind-potent Eastern and Western Cape provinces. However, it has not yet indicated when its curtailment addendum will be published. This, despite confirmation by the IPP Office that the framework is required before it can announce the next public procurement round, which was initially scheduled for mid-2023. South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu describes the release of the GCCA without the curtailment framework and the associated connection capacity that would be unlocked in each supply as "not ideal". "The understanding is that the curtailment framework will unlock additional connection capacity in the constrained greater Cape area, which should have informed available capacity," she says, while also noting that the framework will not immediately embrace solar photovoltaic (PV). South African Independent Power Producer Association chairperson Brian Day argues that Eskom's previous approach to calculating grid capacity, which limits it to a single short period of constraint across the year, sub-optimises the grid potential. "I can't quite understand why we haven't engaged on the curtailment approach long ago," Day adds. He says curtailment rules will unlock significant capacity, and reveals that business is actively engaging to propose commercially viable rules. South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Niveshen Govender says he is pleased that Eskom is considering a curtailment framework that will expand the grid capacity in the short term. "The curtailment framework needs to be well-considered to ensure positive investment conditions for new energy generation infrastructure projects in the South African market." The associations are also keen for consultations on the framework, with clarity needed on the apportionment of curtailment costs. Eskom has raised eyebrows with its recent proposal that compensation for curtailment be a contractual matte...

The associations representing the wind and solar sectors as well as independent power producers (IPPs) more generally are eagerly awaiting a proposed curtailment addendum to Eskom's Grid Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA), which is published yearly to provide connection visibility for new utility scale generators. The latest GCCA was published at the end of October and states that, while there is still 19.9 GW of capacity available, all capacity has been absorbed in the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape provinces, as well as Eskom's Hydra Central grid area, which borders the Cape provinces and the Free State. It was published in the absence of a highly anticipated new framework outlining Eskom's approach to curtailment, which has potential to unlock significant capacity in areas that have previously been shown as having no more capacity to connect. Curtailment involves the active reduction of output from wind and solar plants in response to system security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints and is widely used by system operators globally to introduce variable renewable generators and optimise the use of the grid. It follows a logic that can arguably be likened to the one used by airlines when seating is overbooked ahead of a scheduled flight in an effort to ensure it is full in a context where some bookings are likely to fall away. Eskom has belatedly aligned itself to this view, having indicated that curtailment will be used even when additional grid capacity is added in areas of constraint, as it would yield the most cost-effective outcome and is, thus, fully aligned to the least-cost criterion embedded in the country's Grid Code. The lack of such a framework came to the fore painfully last year when none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW public-procurement allocation was selected to proceed on the basis of grid depletion. Eskom has confirmed that a curtailment addendum to the GCCA will be published and has indicated that the framework should unlock 4 GW of connection capacity immediately in the wind-potent Eastern and Western Cape provinces. However, it has not yet indicated when its curtailment addendum will be published. This, despite confirmation by the IPP Office that the framework is required before it can announce the next public procurement round, which was initially scheduled for mid-2023. South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu describes the release of the GCCA without the curtailment framework and the associated connection capacity that would be unlocked in each supply as "not ideal". "The understanding is that the curtailment framework will unlock additional connection capacity in the constrained greater Cape area, which should have informed available capacity," she says, while also noting that the framework will not immediately embrace solar photovoltaic (PV). South African Independent Power Producer Association chairperson Brian Day argues that Eskom's previous approach to calculating grid capacity, which limits it to a single short period of constraint across the year, sub-optimises the grid potential. "I can't quite understand why we haven't engaged on the curtailment approach long ago," Day adds. He says curtailment rules will unlock significant capacity, and reveals that business is actively engaging to propose commercially viable rules. South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Niveshen Govender says he is pleased that Eskom is considering a curtailment framework that will expand the grid capacity in the short term. "The curtailment framework needs to be well-considered to ensure positive investment conditions for new energy generation infrastructure projects in the South African market." The associations are also keen for consultations on the framework, with clarity needed on the apportionment of curtailment costs. Eskom has raised eyebrows with its recent proposal that compensation for curtailment be a contractual matte...

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that the country's next renewables bidding round will "not be location agnostic" and will seek to direct projects to areas where there is sufficient grid connection capacity available. "This time we're going to be specific around where these location should be for the new projects because we want to ensure that there's some degree of alignment between the projects and the availability of transmission capacity," the Minister said during his latest update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. Hitherto, the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which has been under way since 2011, has not had a specific geospatial dimension, with connections guided by Eskom's Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA). During the most recent bid window, or Bid Window Six, none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW allocation were selected as preferred bidders, however. This, after Eskom claimed that the grid capacity in the areas where the projects were proposed had been fully absorbed. Bid Window Seven was initially planned for launch in mid-year, but the deadline was missed, with the Independent Power Producer Office having indicated that the programme could be initiated only once there was clarity from Eskom on what connection capacity remained available. At the end of October, Eskom published an updated GCCA showing that there was no longer any connection capacity in the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape, the Western Cape and the Hydra Central grid area. However, the document indicated that there was 19.9 GW of grid capacity elsewhere in the country. Eskom has also since acknowledged that some 4 GW of grid capacity in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces could be unlocked immediately by allowing for 10% curtailment and has promised to publish an addendum to the GCCA outlining its approach in this regard. Curtailment involves the active reduction of output from wind and solar plants in response to system security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints and is widely used by system operators globally to optimise the way the grid is utilised. Ramokgopa, who previously indicated that Bid Window Seven would be launched in December, offered no confirmation regarding timeframes, saying only that efforts were being made to ensure that the next round did not suffer the same fate as the previous bidding round by matching "projects to grid capacity". "This is so that we're able to accelerate the progression of those projects and they're able to reach financial close as speedily as possible." JET-IP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN & IRP UPDATE He also reported that the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) implementation plan had been approved by Cabinet and would include the release of financial resources for the development of transmission infrastructure that could assist with the decarbonisation of the country's electricity industry. Several developed countries have pledged some $11.9-billion to support the JET-IP, with various policy loans having already been extended under the framework. Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy, who will lead South Africa's delegation to COP28 in Dubai later this month, would release details of the implementation plan, Ramokgopa said. He also reported that a larger transmission funding plan would be presented to Cabinet at its next meeting, which could help unlock private finance and skills for the development of new grid infrastructure. Meanwhile, the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IPR) was also likely to be presented to Cabinet by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe at its next meeting, after which it would be released for public comment. "At an administrative level and a technical level, those conversations have happened, and now it [the IRP] gets to be elevated to the level of Cabinet and I'm sure that, post-Cabinet, we'll be able to share with you what...

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that the country's next renewables bidding round will "not be location agnostic" and will seek to direct projects to areas where there is sufficient grid connection capacity available. "This time we're going to be specific around where these location should be for the new projects because we want to ensure that there's some degree of alignment between the projects and the availability of transmission capacity," the Minister said during his latest update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. Hitherto, the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which has been under way since 2011, has not had a specific geospatial dimension, with connections guided by Eskom's Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA). During the most recent bid window, or Bid Window Six, none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW allocation were selected as preferred bidders, however. This, after Eskom claimed that the grid capacity in the areas where the projects were proposed had been fully absorbed. Bid Window Seven was initially planned for launch in mid-year, but the deadline was missed, with the Independent Power Producer Office having indicated that the programme could be initiated only once there was clarity from Eskom on what connection capacity remained available. At the end of October, Eskom published an updated GCCA showing that there was no longer any connection capacity in the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape, the Western Cape and the Hydra Central grid area. However, the document indicated that there was 19.9 GW of grid capacity elsewhere in the country. Eskom has also since acknowledged that some 4 GW of grid capacity in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces could be unlocked immediately by allowing for 10% curtailment and has promised to publish an addendum to the GCCA outlining its approach in this regard. Curtailment involves the active reduction of output from wind and solar plants in response to system security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints and is widely used by system operators globally to optimise the way the grid is utilised. Ramokgopa, who previously indicated that Bid Window Seven would be launched in December, offered no confirmation regarding timeframes, saying only that efforts were being made to ensure that the next round did not suffer the same fate as the previous bidding round by matching "projects to grid capacity". "This is so that we're able to accelerate the progression of those projects and they're able to reach financial close as speedily as possible." JET-IP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN & IRP UPDATE He also reported that the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) implementation plan had been approved by Cabinet and would include the release of financial resources for the development of transmission infrastructure that could assist with the decarbonisation of the country's electricity industry. Several developed countries have pledged some $11.9-billion to support the JET-IP, with various policy loans having already been extended under the framework. Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy, who will lead South Africa's delegation to COP28 in Dubai later this month, would release details of the implementation plan, Ramokgopa said. He also reported that a larger transmission funding plan would be presented to Cabinet at its next meeting, which could help unlock private finance and skills for the development of new grid infrastructure. Meanwhile, the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IPR) was also likely to be presented to Cabinet by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe at its next meeting, after which it would be released for public comment. "At an administrative level and a technical level, those conversations have happened, and now it [the IRP] gets to be elevated to the level of Cabinet and I'm sure that, post-Cabinet, we'll be able to share with you what...

Eskom has confirmed that it will release a curtailment addendum to its recently published Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) that will unlock 4 GW of connection capacity immediately in the grid-constrained Eastern and Western Cape provinces. Published at the end of October, the GCCA indicated the grid capacity in the two wind-rich regions had been fully absorbed, along with that in the Northern Cape and Eskom's Hydra Central grid area, which borders the Cape provinces and the Free State. The document indicated that there was 19.9 GW of grid capacity elsewhere in the country and stated that curtailment studies were being undertaken to provide "developers with an alternate option if they are still keen to connect in these constrained areas". The results, Eskom added, would be shared either in next release of the GCCA or in an addendum, but only after approval from the regulator. The lack of a framework came to the fore last year when none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW public-procurement allocation was selected to proceed on the basis of grid "depletion". In addition, the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) confirmed with Engineering News recently that the ensuing Bid Window Seven, which was initially expected to be launched in the middle of 2023, had been delayed partly because of ongoing uncertainty regarding Eskom's approach to curtailment. However, Eskom Transmission MD Segomoco Scheppers confirmed on Wednesday that a renewable-energy curtailment framework would indeed be implemented. In an address on the implementation of the Transmission Development Plan (TDP), Scheppers said the framework would "ensure that new grid integration capacity, especially for wind, can be unlocked in the quickest possible time at the least cost to the economy." Strategic grid planning senior manager Ronald Marais also used the platform to confirm that the curtailment framework would be published in the form of an addendum to the GCCA, rather than in the next edition of the document. Marais also stressed that curtailment was the optimal way to expand the network at least-cost and would, thus, remain a feature, albeit at variable rates, even as new grid capacity was added in future. This was confirmed in a recent assessment by Eskom and two European transmission system operators - 50Hertz of Germany and Elia of Belgium - which showed that curtailment of up to 10% offered more economic value than new grid investments. Technical operation senior manager Comfort Masike underlined this point at the TDP forum by stating that transmission companies globally used curtailment not only to manage system frequency but because it was also the most cost-effective way to manage grid capacity. Curtailment involves the active reduction of output from wind and solar plants in response to system security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints and has been widely used by system operators to facilitate the introduction of renewable generators in a context of grid constraint. A cost comparison between allowing 4 GW of additional wind generation in the Western Cape with 10% curtailment against adding the two 765 kV and one 400 kV powerlines that would otherwise be require had yielded positive results. The model pointed to yearly curtailment costs of R650-million, which were significantly lower than the R2.6-billion annual project costs associated with the additional grid infrastructure. Masike said curtailment, thus, met the least-cost criterion embedded in the country's Grid Code. The South African framework, he added, would stipulate that no single plant could be curtailed by more than 10% in a year and that curtailment be governed by operational guidelines that stipulated both fairness and that the measure be used only when necessary to alleviate congestion. Eskom was also proposing that compensation for curtailment be a contractual matter between buyers and sellers. In the case where Eskom was the designated buyer,...

Eskom has confirmed that it will release a curtailment addendum to its recently published Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) that will unlock 4 GW of connection capacity immediately in the grid-constrained Eastern and Western Cape provinces. Published at the end of October, the GCCA indicated the grid capacity in the two wind-rich regions had been fully absorbed, along with that in the Northern Cape and Eskom's Hydra Central grid area, which borders the Cape provinces and the Free State. The document indicated that there was 19.9 GW of grid capacity elsewhere in the country and stated that curtailment studies were being undertaken to provide "developers with an alternate option if they are still keen to connect in these constrained areas". The results, Eskom added, would be shared either in next release of the GCCA or in an addendum, but only after approval from the regulator. The lack of a framework came to the fore last year when none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW public-procurement allocation was selected to proceed on the basis of grid "depletion". In addition, the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) confirmed with Engineering News recently that the ensuing Bid Window Seven, which was initially expected to be launched in the middle of 2023, had been delayed partly because of ongoing uncertainty regarding Eskom's approach to curtailment. However, Eskom Transmission MD Segomoco Scheppers confirmed on Wednesday that a renewable-energy curtailment framework would indeed be implemented. In an address on the implementation of the Transmission Development Plan (TDP), Scheppers said the framework would "ensure that new grid integration capacity, especially for wind, can be unlocked in the quickest possible time at the least cost to the economy." Strategic grid planning senior manager Ronald Marais also used the platform to confirm that the curtailment framework would be published in the form of an addendum to the GCCA, rather than in the next edition of the document. Marais also stressed that curtailment was the optimal way to expand the network at least-cost and would, thus, remain a feature, albeit at variable rates, even as new grid capacity was added in future. This was confirmed in a recent assessment by Eskom and two European transmission system operators - 50Hertz of Germany and Elia of Belgium - which showed that curtailment of up to 10% offered more economic value than new grid investments. Technical operation senior manager Comfort Masike underlined this point at the TDP forum by stating that transmission companies globally used curtailment not only to manage system frequency but because it was also the most cost-effective way to manage grid capacity. Curtailment involves the active reduction of output from wind and solar plants in response to system security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints and has been widely used by system operators to facilitate the introduction of renewable generators in a context of grid constraint. A cost comparison between allowing 4 GW of additional wind generation in the Western Cape with 10% curtailment against adding the two 765 kV and one 400 kV powerlines that would otherwise be require had yielded positive results. The model pointed to yearly curtailment costs of R650-million, which were significantly lower than the R2.6-billion annual project costs associated with the additional grid infrastructure. Masike said curtailment, thus, met the least-cost criterion embedded in the country's Grid Code. The South African framework, he added, would stipulate that no single plant could be curtailed by more than 10% in a year and that curtailment be governed by operational guidelines that stipulated both fairness and that the measure be used only when necessary to alleviate congestion. Eskom was also proposing that compensation for curtailment be a contractual matter between buyers and sellers. In the case where Eskom was the designated buyer,...

South Africa's Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office has indicated that the procurement documentation for both the next public renewables round and a gas-to-power programme are at an advanced stage but the timing of their release to the market is dependent on the conclusion of "various grid optimisation initiatives", including an updated curtailment framework. Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa revealed recently that Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the renewables programme had been postponed until December and attributed the rescheduling from an already revised released date of September to delays in finalising an update to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). In response to questions posed by Engineering News, the IPP Office made no firm commitment regarding the timing of the release of either BW7 or the gas-to-power request for proposals (RfPs). It also made no reference to the IRP update, which would need to be released for public comment once approved for publication by Cabinet. Instead, the IPP Office told Engineering News that the timing of the programmes was "dependent on the conclusion of various grid optimisation initiatives which are currently under consideration by Eskom and the National Regulator". "We will communicate to the market as soon as those approvals are granted," the IPP Office said in response to questions. It also confirmed that the publication of the Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) on October 31 was insufficient in the absence of an updated curtailment framework. The GCCA confirmed that curtailment studies had been undertaken to provide the option for developers to connect in grid "constrained areas". The GCCA indicated that governance within Eskom had been "approved to a large extent" but that a regulatory approval process was required before any of the curtailment results and opportunities could be shared, either "in the next release of the GCCA or possibly sooner in an addendum". Curtailment involves the active reduction of output from wind and solar plants in response to system security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints and is widely used by system operators as a cost-effective way to facilitate the introduction of renewable generators. It has been reported that 10% curtailment could double the grid connection capacity of a province such as the Western Cape, which the GCCA shows as having no available capacity, along with the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape and the Hydra Central supply area. The document states that there is 19.4 GW available in the rest of the country, where the wind and solar resources remain strong but less so than in the four areas described as having "depleted" capacity. The lack of a clear curtailment option also meant that none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW allocation during BW6 advanced to preferred-bidder status, despite persistent and intensifying loadshedding. Meanwhile, the IPP Office stressed that a tender for a transaction adviser to evaluate the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) model to improve its cost effectiveness and efficiency would have no impact on the release of any of the RfPs "currently in the pipeline". Besides BW7 and the gas-to-power programme, work is also well advanced on the second bidding round for battery energy storage, with projects submitted during the first round "in the final stages of evaluation". The IPP Office said the review of the REIPPPP model could, thus, inform future potential changes to the auction model. "[The review] also recognises that the energy market and environment in South Africa is changing and that we will need to adapt our systems and processes accordingly." The IPP Office also confirmed with Engineering News that 12 projects procured across various public programmes, including nine from BW5 with a combined capacity of 1 009 MW and three from the risk mitigation round (150 MW), were currently under construction. "A furth...

South Africa's Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office has indicated that the procurement documentation for both the next public renewables round and a gas-to-power programme are at an advanced stage but the timing of their release to the market is dependent on the conclusion of "various grid optimisation initiatives", including an updated curtailment framework. Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa revealed recently that Bid Window Seven (BW7) of the renewables programme had been postponed until December and attributed the rescheduling from an already revised released date of September to delays in finalising an update to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). In response to questions posed by Engineering News, the IPP Office made no firm commitment regarding the timing of the release of either BW7 or the gas-to-power request for proposals (RfPs). It also made no reference to the IRP update, which would need to be released for public comment once approved for publication by Cabinet. Instead, the IPP Office told Engineering News that the timing of the programmes was "dependent on the conclusion of various grid optimisation initiatives which are currently under consideration by Eskom and the National Regulator". "We will communicate to the market as soon as those approvals are granted," the IPP Office said in response to questions. It also confirmed that the publication of the Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) on October 31 was insufficient in the absence of an updated curtailment framework. The GCCA confirmed that curtailment studies had been undertaken to provide the option for developers to connect in grid "constrained areas". The GCCA indicated that governance within Eskom had been "approved to a large extent" but that a regulatory approval process was required before any of the curtailment results and opportunities could be shared, either "in the next release of the GCCA or possibly sooner in an addendum". Curtailment involves the active reduction of output from wind and solar plants in response to system security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints and is widely used by system operators as a cost-effective way to facilitate the introduction of renewable generators. It has been reported that 10% curtailment could double the grid connection capacity of a province such as the Western Cape, which the GCCA shows as having no available capacity, along with the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape and the Hydra Central supply area. The document states that there is 19.4 GW available in the rest of the country, where the wind and solar resources remain strong but less so than in the four areas described as having "depleted" capacity. The lack of a clear curtailment option also meant that none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW allocation during BW6 advanced to preferred-bidder status, despite persistent and intensifying loadshedding. Meanwhile, the IPP Office stressed that a tender for a transaction adviser to evaluate the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) model to improve its cost effectiveness and efficiency would have no impact on the release of any of the RfPs "currently in the pipeline". Besides BW7 and the gas-to-power programme, work is also well advanced on the second bidding round for battery energy storage, with projects submitted during the first round "in the final stages of evaluation". The IPP Office said the review of the REIPPPP model could, thus, inform future potential changes to the auction model. "[The review] also recognises that the energy market and environment in South Africa is changing and that we will need to adapt our systems and processes accordingly." The IPP Office also confirmed with Engineering News that 12 projects procured across various public programmes, including nine from BW5 with a combined capacity of 1 009 MW and three from the risk mitigation round (150 MW), were currently under construction. "A furth...

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that the next public procurement round for renewable energy, known as Bid Window Seven (BW7), has been delayed until December. Delivering a briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan amid a resumption of loadshedding, Ramokgopa attributed the postponement directly to the delay in updating the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which he said was now at an "advanced stage" and should be published before the end of November. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has promised previously that there will be public consultations on the document, which he has termed 'IRP 2023', but has not provided clarity yet on how the drafting process has been managed. BW7 was initially expected to be released in September, subject to the publication of the Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) by Eskom. The GCCA was eventually released on October 31, but absent the results of curtailment studies undertaken to provide the option for developers to connect in grid "constrained areas". It has been reported that 10% curtailment could double the grid connection capacity of a province such as the Western Cape, which the GCCA shows as having no available capacity, along with the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape and the Hydra Central supply area. It states that there is 19.4 GW available in the rest of the country, where the wind and solar resources remain strong but less so than in the four areas described as having "depleted" capacity. The lack of a clear curtailment option also meant that none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW allocation during BW6 advanced to preferred-bidder status, despite persistent and intensifying loadshedding. It is unclear whether the timing of BW7 could also be affected by a tender, issued by the Development Bank of Southern Africa, for a transaction advisor to review the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and its evaluation model to improve its cost effectiveness and efficiency. The tender closed on November 2. Meanwhile, Ramokgopa indicated that the 3 GW gas-to-power procurement programme, which was also meant to be released this year, was receiving priority attention within government and the National Energy Crisis Committee.

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reports that the next public procurement round for renewable energy, known as Bid Window Seven (BW7), has been delayed until December. Delivering a briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan amid a resumption of loadshedding, Ramokgopa attributed the postponement directly to the delay in updating the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which he said was now at an "advanced stage" and should be published before the end of November. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has promised previously that there will be public consultations on the document, which he has termed 'IRP 2023', but has not provided clarity yet on how the drafting process has been managed. BW7 was initially expected to be released in September, subject to the publication of the Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) by Eskom. The GCCA was eventually released on October 31, but absent the results of curtailment studies undertaken to provide the option for developers to connect in grid "constrained areas". It has been reported that 10% curtailment could double the grid connection capacity of a province such as the Western Cape, which the GCCA shows as having no available capacity, along with the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape and the Hydra Central supply area. It states that there is 19.4 GW available in the rest of the country, where the wind and solar resources remain strong but less so than in the four areas described as having "depleted" capacity. The lack of a clear curtailment option also meant that none of the 23 wind projects that bid for a 3.2 GW allocation during BW6 advanced to preferred-bidder status, despite persistent and intensifying loadshedding. It is unclear whether the timing of BW7 could also be affected by a tender, issued by the Development Bank of Southern Africa, for a transaction advisor to review the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and its evaluation model to improve its cost effectiveness and efficiency. The tender closed on November 2. Meanwhile, Ramokgopa indicated that the 3 GW gas-to-power procurement programme, which was also meant to be released this year, was receiving priority attention within government and the National Energy Crisis Committee.

Our latest episode is with Amanda Brondy, Vice President of International Projects at the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA). Together, we discuss how the work of GCCA contributes to FLW reduction, the importance of investing in climate-smart cold chain in emerging countries, and the opportunities for collaboration between cold chain companies and food banks to reduce FLW.Over one-third of the world's food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with climate-smart cold chain playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID's Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID's Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you'd like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID's Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian (nlarian@usaid.gov).There's no time to waste!

The highest CO2-emitting industries - including petroleum refining, chemicals, iron and steel, cement - represent an urgent decarbonisation challenge which will be met by various means, such as improved energy efficiency, carbon capture and migration towards transformative technologies. Learn how industry experts are working to accelerate these developments. Featuring Alex Cameron (Founder & CEO, Decarb Connect & Decarbonisation Leaders Network), Greg Johnston (Energy Sector Digitalisation Expert and Contributor, Energy Systems Catapult & the Government's Energy Digitalisation Taskforce), Nancy Gillis (Chair, First Movers Coalition), Magali Anderson (Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer, Holcim), Manosij Ganguli (Global Director of Sector Transitions, Mission Possible Partnership), and Thomas Guillot (CEO, GCCA). The inaugural Innovation Zero Congress at Olympia London in 2023 convened 6,866 passionate, forward-looking experts who exchanged critical knowledge, debate and discussions around the implementation and scaling of the innovations needed to meet the Paris goals. Learn more via www.innovationzero.com.

What makes a great leader? During this episode we discuss the pillars of effective leadership with two of GCCA's very own seasoned court administrators. Panelists include: T.J. Bement  - District Court Administrator, Tenth Judicial Administrative District Lynn Epps - Retired Trial Court Administrator 

Kris first wraps up the Summit, and what an amazing time that was had by all. She then welcomes Ellen Reynolds, the CEO of the Georgia Child Care Association. Ellen talks about her background in law and love of all things education, and how it got her into lobbying, advocacy, and effecting change at the policy level. She talks about the complexity of how regulated the childcare industry is, and how you can become more involved as an advocate in the world of ECE to impact positive change.   Key Takeaways: [6:49] What an amazing summit! #bestsummitever. Special thanks to the incredible Lisa Nichols. [10:40] The Georgia Child Care Association represents 3,200 licensed childcare providers in Georgia, with members all across the state. Ellen started lobbying on behalf of the association 20 years ago when it was just herself and just five people. In 2017, she took over as the CEO. [12:59] Ellen was also a lawyer. Her role at GCCA represents her family upbringing: her mom was an award-winning educator and her dad was a small business owner. [14:40] Ellen hopes at some point that GCCA can help other states grow their associations. [16:52] Three ways that you can help get your voice heard and be an agent of change:  Join organizations such as GCCA. They can't survive, let alone thrive, without those membership dues. Attend a meeting that the organization has, training opportunities, or join the advocacy network. Get to know your state elected officials and representatives. Don't be afraid of them! [19:44] If you haven't joined already, be sure to hop on and say hi on the new Child Care Champions Facebook Group page. It's not just advocacy tips, but business success resources. [21:51] Ellen gives her advice on if you have to start a group from scratch or when your state doesn't have a strong association already. [24:32] At GCCA, they look out for all members. [30:40] Great childcare advocates know that you have to work with people on both sides of the aisle, and your main mission is to forward important issues for the growth and health of the childcare industry. [31:12] Childcare is not a partisan issue. [38:56] Childcare is one of the highest-regulated industries in the world, and we have a responsibility to make sure that those regulations, policies, and laws are in our best interest whenever we can impact that. [42:41] How people can be best prepared for the future financially, especially with elections on the horizon.   Quotes: “I love the work that I do on behalf of providers, helping them have the very best environment possible that we can create so they can do what they do well and take care of babies.” — Ellen [12:21] “I believe that GCCA has been the strongest and most vibrant and engaged association I've worked with.” — Kris [13:44] “Organizations like ours can't survive, let alone thrive, without those membership dues.” — Kris [16:52] “We look out for all of our members.” — Ellen [24:32] “Childcare is not a partisan issue. This is about caring for children, and making sure they maximize that brain development those first few years of life, and we don't need this to become political.” — Ellen [32:12]   Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Georgia Child Care Association  Child Care Champions 

  Gabriel (left) and a GCCA church service  This is a preview of the latest episode of the show I co-host, Failed State Update. Listen to the full episode here In Tumacácori, Arizona, a stone's throw from the U.S. border with Mexico, roughly 85 “destiny reservists” await their fate. They are the followers of Gabriel of Urantia. Born Anthony J. Delevin in Pittsburgh in 1946, Gabriel's life work is a community known as the Global Community Communications Alliance (GCCA). They live in a compound in the desert where they raise animals, harvest hemp, and study their prophet's teachings. This is all in preparation for the end of this world, and the coming of the next. And the apocalypse, according to Gabriel, is closer now than it's ever been. Last week, Paladin — the channeled trans-dimensional space being who speaks through Gabriel — called the cult's radio station KVAN-FM last week to address the people of Tucson on the air.   On today's Failed State Update, former GCCA member Joshua Lilly listens to Gabriel's latest broadcast with us and helps us understand both the message and cult psychology in general.

In Tumacácori, Arizona, a stone's throw from the U.S. border with Mexico, roughly 85 “destiny reservists” await their fate. They are the followers of Gabriel of Urantia. Born Anthony J. Delevin in Pittsburgh in 1946, Gabriel's life work is a community known as the Global Community Communications Alliance (GCCA). They live in a compound in the desert where they raise animals, harvest hemp, and study their prophet's teachings. This is all in preparation for the end of this world, and the coming of the next. And the apocalypse, according to Gabriel, is closer now than it's ever been. Last week, Paladin called the cult's radio station KVAN-FM last week to address the people of Tucson on the air. “We are living in a transition period,” Gabriel/Paladin says in the voice of the trans-dimensional space creature. On today's Failed State Update, former GCCA member Joshua Lilly listens to Gabriel's latest broadcast with us and helps us understand both the message and cult psychology in general. But first, J.G. and Lenny discuss Monarch mind-control conspiracies and why they are the perfect myth of our time. This is the subject of Monarch, the debut novel by Candice Wuehle. LINKS: Everything We Know About Gabriel of Urantia on Failed State Update Josh Lilly on living in (and being kicked out of) a destructive cult on Failed State Update The Poetry and Majesty of Conspiracy Theory on Failed State Update Candice Wuehle interviewed on Parallax Views Support J.G.'s work on Patreon Subscribe to the Failed State Update Substack --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/failedstateupdate/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/failedstateupdate/support

In this episode Shane takes some time at the end of the European Cold Chain Conference in Rotterdam to reflect on how the UK, European and international cold chain is set up to cope with the current economic and regulatory challenges facing the industry. Matt talks about his background working in non-profit business membership organisations before GCCA and how he sees the future of the organisation he took over leadership, just as the world entered the pandemic.  They also talk about the big announcement of a new partnership between GCCA and CCF that will bring new value to their respective members and new opportunities in the future. 

In this episode, I'm joined by my good friend Chuck Naiser. Chuck has been protecting the Texas coast and an avid conservationist since the 60s. He was one of the first members of GCCA ( now CCA) and on the front line in the infamous Redfish Wars. He's now on the front line to stop the destruction caused by the Commercial Oyster Harvest. He is also the founder and president of FlatsWorthy, a group dedicated to spread better on water etiquette. #flyfishingpodcast #outdoorpodcast #fishing Podcast HELP PROTECT TEXAS OYSTERS: https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/public_comment/proposals/202203_oyster.phtml JOIN FLATSWORTHY: Website - https://flatsworthy.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flatsworthytx/ FOLLOW THE SKIFF: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theskiffwanderer Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theskiffwan... Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theskiffwand... Website - http://www.theskiffwanderer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph L Flatley returns to the show to talk about his new book, “New Age Grifter: The True Story of Gabriel of Urantia and His Cosmic Family”. The book is the culmination of years of investigation into this zany new age UFO cult.  Topics include: Gabriel of Urantia, Feral House, twentieth century is past, high control groups, alternative religious groups, culture of American decline, Failed State Update, Danny Casolaro, parapolitics, the Octopus, mailing list, Indio CA, conspiracy theory ideas, desert paranormal interest, GCCA, Arizona, ego, online gurus, channeling, cosmo pop music, falling for false stories, Dionysus, vintage appeal

Andrew Spiegel, Esquire, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Global Colon Cancer Alliance discusses the expanded "Clear Your View" campaign, a collaboration between Guardant Health and five leading patient advocacy groups that aims to raise awareness about the need for complete biomarker testing for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). The campaign encourages physicians to “stop, test and wait” for the complete genomic profile of a patient's cancer before starting first-line therapy. The growing number of targetable CRC biomarkers makes it imperative that all patients receive complete biomarker testing before starting treatment. Andrew Spiegel has a long and personal history of non-profit service. He is co-founder of the Global Colon Cancer Alliance, the leading US based national patient advocacy organization dedicated to colon cancer. Spiegel, an attorney, also served as a longtime board member of the Alliance before becoming CEO in January of 2009. and he ran the CCA for 4 years, before undertaking his next venture, the Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA). Currently, Spiegel is co-founder and executive director of the GCCA, an international patient advocacy organization. Spiegel is on the Stand Up to Cancer Advocate Advisory Council. He is a co-founder and serves on the steering committee of the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines, is current Chair of the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) and is an active member of many other health care coalitions and organizations. #ClearYourView #CRC #ColorectalCancer

A conversation with Andrew Renton, Professor of curating at Goldsmiths, University of London, writer, curator and relentless advocate for the arts. Andrew speaks passionately about his obsession with art, his strong belief in the discipline of curating, his involvement in the building of the GCCA, his admiration of the artists support pledge by Matthew Burrows, the opportunities he sees in a reset, the generosity and help that was provided in the artworld in the last couple of months, the electrifying bodily encounter when standing physically and intensively in front of a great work of art and why he never loses his optimism. Language: english

From my other podcast, The So-Called Prophet From Pittsburgh about a UFO cult in Arizona and its leader, Gabriel. Joshua Lilly (spiritual name: VanMon) was brought into the Global Community Communications Alliance as a kid, kicked out as a teenager, and joined again as an adult. Practically his entire family is still in the group. In this in-depth conversation, Josh relates the path that drew him to Gabriel of Urantia (twice). We also discuss cult members' motivations, cult "mind control" techniques, how the group gets its money, and the spiritual elitism in our culture. At the beginning of the episode, I share a little bit about how the GCCA is handling the COVID-19 crisis. The So-Called Prophet From Pittsburgh: https://anchor.fm/pghprophet Joseph L. Flatley website: https://www.lennyflatley.net/ Joseph L. Flatley on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lennyflatley --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/failedstateupdate/message

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods' Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa interviewed Lowell Randel from the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) about the latest developments regarding COVID-19's impact on the cold foods supply chain. Hear what on-the-fly adjustments the industry is making in response to crushing demand for retail refrigerated and frozen foods, plus the innovations that have been developed to move inventory faster, and help protect truck drivers in the current social distancing climate. Also, find out how the GCCA and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States partnered to quickly create and distribute hand sanitizer to those that need it.

My new book about Gabriel of Urantia is available for preorder on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/New-Age-Grifter-Gabriel-Urantia/dp/1627311106 This is the final episode of the series (for now) and probably the best one yet. It's definitely the most upsetting. Topics covered include incidents of sexual abuse and the mistreatment of children in the GCCA. I also take a trip to the guru's childhood home and recount the story of his former son-in-law (and how he wound up in prison).Thanks for listening. And don't unsubscribe, as I'll be uploading plenty of bonus content into the near future.Warning: this episode includes discussion of sexual abuse.

My new book about Gabriel of Urantia is available for preorder on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/New-Age-Grifter-Gabriel-Urantia/dp/1627311106 What are the spiritual implications of hydrogen and oxygen? How does the GCCA make its money? And what (or who) does this group have in common with the infamous California rehab cult Synanon? These questions and more will be answered on this episode of The So-Called Prophet From Pittsburgh.