Eskom uncertainty influences SA genset sales

According to ESI-Africa, the delay in the Medupi power plant and underinvestment in municipal electrical infrastructure may lead to an increase in genset (generators) sales in South Africa. "The South African genset market is influenced by the uncertainty of Eskom's future power supply and the unpredictability of the global economy," Frost & Sullivan's energy and power systems research analyst Tanyever Loren van Themaat said. 3 Aug 2012 16:56

Debate needed on a state-owned construction company - Sexwale

PRETORIA: Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale has called for debate on the establishment of a state-owned construction company. While no decision has been taken as yet on the establishment of a state-owned construction company, debate was needed on the issue to address the shoddy workmanship that characterised low-cost housing, the minister said. 3 Aug 2012 11:02

Pandor: SA's resource-based economy to become knowledge economy

Speaking to 6 000 Gauteng schools learners at the launch of the 2012 National Science Week at the University of Johannesburg's Soweto campus, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said that the department strives to contribute to the gradual transformation of South Africa's resource-based economy to a knowledge economy, SAinfo reports. 2 Aug 2012 17:17

Construction industry must adopt Women's Month ethos

While there has been enormous transformation across a number of industries in terms of female employment and empowerment, the construction industry is still largely male-dominated. 2 Aug 2012 13:40

Public Works office first to receive five-star green star SA rating

The Sisonke District Office of the Department of Public Works in Ixopo in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands is the first provincial government building to receive a five-star green star SA office design rating. 2 Aug 2012 11:53

Nersa approves methodology on piped-gas

PRETORIA: The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved a methodology to approve maximum prices of piped-gas to distributors while it also determined that competition in the piped-gas market is inadequate. 2 Aug 2012 07:31

Stakeholders unanimously endorse Green Infrastructure Council idea

According to Times Live, during a recent exploratory workshop hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa and Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) and involving government and industry players dealing with infrastructure development, participants unanimously endorsed the idea of a Green Infrastructure Council, and an interim body has been set up to take forward the initiative. This move is very timely, given the government's plan to invest more than R800-billion on new power stations, roads, dams, water supply and rail and port facilities over the next few years. 1 Aug 2012 15:56

Finalists for entrepreneur of the year announced

The 22 finalists of the 2012 Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year competition have been announced. According to Nimo Naidoo, project manager of the competition, this year has set a benchmark in terms of celebrating entrepreneurial excellence in the country, resulting in encouraging entries from very talented South African entrepreneurs. 1 Aug 2012 12:19

Investment in bio-energy under spotlight at NEPAD symposium

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Agency is currently hosting the Bio-energy Investment Symposium for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region in Sandton, Johannesburg. The aim of the symposium is to establish a world-class bio-energy investment incubator for Southern Africa. It is also indicative of the organisation's intent to create a platform for member countries to participate in this burgeoning new industry. 1 Aug 2012 10:45

Unfinished R74 spells doom for northern Drakensberg businesses

According to Fin24, while fingers are being pointed back and forth between the liquidated contractor, Sanyati Civil Engineering & Construction (SCE&C) and the Free State provincial government, farmers and tourism enterprises owners said industries in the northern Drakensberg were brought to their knees because of an 18-month delay in repairing the dilapidated R74 road between Aerosmith and the Oliviershoek Pass. 31 Jul 2012 16:45

Eskom has not yet finalised application for tariffs

Eskom has not yet determined its final application to the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) with regards to its next tariff application, Eskom chief executive officer Brian Dames said on Monday. 31 Jul 2012 12:25

Eskom to conduct more maintenance in summer

PRETORIA: Eskom will conduct more maintenance work in the upcoming summer season, placing the system under more pressure, Eskom chief executive Brian Dames said on Monday, 30 July 2012. 31 Jul 2012 07:36

Lights will stay on as Eskom copes with outages

[Helmo Preuss] The peak demand so far this year was supposed to be 36‚258 MW on July 16 according to the 54th system status bulletin. Demand side management‚ which involves asking large industrial users to temporarily stop some industrial processes‚ meant that the actual peak demand was only 35 443 MW or a saving of 815 MW on July 16. 30 Jul 2012 16:56

Free State says it will pay road contractors

The Free State roads department has agreed in principle to pay several engineering contractors hundreds of millions of rands owed to them for work done according to a report in Monday's Business Report. 30 Jul 2012 16:05