Page 8 - Energize August 2021

NEWS

South Africa loses its wind energy “driving force”

he South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) and the sector at large, mourns the
loss of Ntombifuthi Ntuli, the chief executive officer (CEO) of SAWEA, and as South Africa
Tcelebrates Women’s month, a loss of a bold and brilliant leader.
“Fondly known as Ntombi, she leaves behind two young children and an extended family who
will no doubt feel the full extent of this loss,” a spokesperson for the Association said.
Mercia Grimbeek, SAWEA’s chairperson, said: “Ntombi changed the face of the wind industry
in our country. She made the industry relatable with her ability to engage with the most stubborn
naysayer, helping them to see her point of view and winning everyone over with her charming
smile and her calm strength.”
Niveshen Govender, the chief operating officer for the solar PV industry body SAPVIA, said:
“The passing of Ntombifuthi Ntuli is a tragic loss to South Africa. A bold and brilliant leader,
Ntombifuthi played an instrumental role in South Africa’s energy transition.”
In her leadership role as SAWEA’s CEO, Ntombifuthi’s leadership was defined by her
charismatic yet gentle nature, resilience and determination to successfully steer the industry
towards playing a central role in South Africa’s energy transition, while being a uniting force.
She drew on her depth of knowledge and talents – crafted over more than 15 years in the
energy and related sectors. She built strong bridges throughout the energy sector, founded on her
sound logic and ability to see the bigger picture.
Her lobbying efforts for the country’s transition to cleaner power were underpinned by sector, where her knowledge, experience and
supportive government policy and smooth procurement, which will help to ensure the sector’s passion have proven critical in driving the
exponential growth for years to come. sector forward,” he added.
SAPVIA describes her death as “a tragic loss of a bold and brilliant leader, who was
instrumental in South Africa’s energy transition. Since her appointment as SAWEA CEO, our two Energize joins SAWEA, its board,
organisations have worked more closely to align the views of the wind and solar PV industries to management and staff, the renewable
better meet the needs of our members and society,” Govender said. energy sector, and everyone who knew her,
“Her commitment to delivering jobs, industrialisation and ensuring broad economic impact of in extending its heartfelt sympathies to
the renewable energy industry will be her legacy and we will continue her work to drive for a just Ntombifuthi’s family and loved ones at this
transition that uplifts all South Africans. She will be greatly missed by all in the renewable energy difficult time.

To generate renewable electricity and heat from biogas

larke Energy has secured the sale of two INNIO Jenbacher
biogas engines to Press Cane Ltd, a distillery based in Malawi.
CThe distillery produces biofuel in the form of ethanol which is
blended with petrol and sold by oil marketing companies to motorists
throughout Malawi. Their anaerobic digestion plant sustainably treats
effluent arising from the site and in parallel generates biogas which will
be used as a renewable fuel for the biogas engines.
Press Cane is a subsidiary of the conglomerate Press Corporation
Limited and began its operations in June 2004. The plant is located in
Chikhwawa on the west bank of the Shire River about 30 km north of
Nchalo and 55 km south of Blantyre, offering permanent employment
for about 80 Malawians. The site produces ethanol, a biofuel, from
fermented sugarcane molasses. This ethanol is then used to increase
the renewable energy content of local petroleum fuels at a ratio of
20% ethanol to 80% petrol. It also reduces the country’s reliance on project consultant. After technical and commercial assessments, Clarke
importation of fossil fuels for transportation. Energy received the recommendation.
The two INNIO Jenbacher J320 gas engines – supplied by Clarke Alex Marshall, Clarke Energy’s group business development and
Energy as a combined head and power plant – are capable of delivering marketing director, commented, “We are honoured to be able to
1063 kW of electricity each, bringing the total generation capacity to support this innovative project not only generating renewable power
2126 kW. In addition, the customer will recover heat from the engines in and heat to support resilience at a Press Cane’s site in Malawi, but also
the form of steam via boilers with approximately 2000 kW of additional to support the generation of sustainable transport fuels for the country.”
renewable heat available to support the site’s heating needs.
SS Techno Limited, India, a leading technology company in turnkey Contact Alex Marshall, Clarke Energy,
zero liquid discharge systems for industrial wastewater, served as the alex.marshall@clarke-energy.com

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