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White Paper on Renewable Energy and Clean Energy Development
…and provide affordable access to energy throughout South Africa, thus contributing to sustainable development and environmental conservation. South Africa has an estimated existing (in 2000) renewable energy (RE) contribution of 11 278 GWh/annum mainly from fuelwood and waste. The Renewable Policy White Paper sets up the medium-term target (10-year) of 10 000 GWh or 0.8 Mtoe RE contribution to the final energy consumption by 2013 in addition to the existing RE contribution. At the basic level, the RE policy attempts to remove barriers that prevent RE penetration in the South African market.
The policy addresses 5… -
Renewable Energy Feed in Tariffs Phase II
In June 2007 the Energy Regulator commissioned a study on the Renewable Energy Feed–In Tariffs (REFITs) to support renewable energies in South Africa. The subsequent REFIT Guidelines were approved on 26 March 2009, to support progress to a goal of 10,000GWh from renewables by 2013.
The following technologies were initially eligible for a feed in tariff of 0.9-2.1R/kWh:
i. Landfill gas power plant;
ii. Small hydro power plant (less than 10MW);
iii. Wind power plant;
iv. Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant.
The Regulator:
*is responsible for overall monitoring and review, gathering data on the… -
Betty Cherwon
Ambassador, Kenya. Ambassador Betty Cherwon, MBS, ‘ndc’(K) is a long serving Foreign Service Officer at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya. She is a seasoned diplomat who joined the Ministry in 1996 and has served in various capacities in the Ministry and its Missions in Berlin, Cairo and London. Prior to her appointment as Kenya’s Ambassador to France with accreditation to Portugal, Serbia, Monaco and the Holy See, Ambassador Cherwon was the Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, a post she held from 2020 to 2023. Ambassador Cherwon has a cross-section of expertise and skills acquired for almost 20 years in the fields of Public Policy, Strategic Planning, Protocol, Negotiation, Political Analysis and Diplomatic Etiquette. Ambassador Cherwon has an MA in International Studies from the University of Nairobi. She holds a BA in Education from Kenyatta University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy ...
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Global Methane Tracker 2026 Key findings
No sign that global energy-related methane emissions fell in 2025 despite progress in some areas The fossil fuel sector accounts for around 35% of methane emissions from human activity, yet there is still no sign that methane emissions from fossil fuel operations are falling, despite well-known and proven mitigation pathways. Oil, gas and coal production output reached record highs in 2025, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that methane emissions from these activities total 124 million tonnes (Mt) a year: oil is the largest source at 45 Mt, followed by coal at 43 Mt, and natural gas at 36 Mt. A…
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Ramping up Heat Pumps in Moldova: A Roadmap A pathway for heat pumps
Heat pumps can strengthen Moldova’s energy security, independence, air pollution and emissions, and even improve energy affordability. Given the regional turmoil – notably in the energy sector – over the past three years and into early 2025, there is a compelling case for reducing natural gas consumption by deploying heat pumps. While Moldova is only beginning to realise its heat pump potential, this presents a significant opportunity to design the system effectively – by stimulating demand, expanding supply, financing the transition and establishing clear regulations. A comprehensive approach will help to ensure a steady and orderly deployment. The following table recommends specific…
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Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit Financing Energy Efficiency
Global energy investment continues to grow despite a challenging geopolitical environment. According to the IEA’s World Energy Investment 2026 report, total spending is expected to reach USD 3.4 trillion in 2026, a 5% increase from 2025. Clean energy investment is projected to remain around USD 2.2 trillion, representing nearly two‑thirds of total energy spending and continuing to outpace fossil fuels. Investment in electricity systems such as grids, storage, and electrification, is increasingly driven by energy security concerns and rising electricity demand. Energy efficiency also remains essential to strengthening system resilience, reducing costs for consumers and businesses, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions…
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Policy options to accelerate distributed solar PV in Ukraine
Accelerating distributed solar PV and battery energy storage deployment will support Ukraine in establishing energy security.In the year following the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, available dispatchable power generation capacity halved from roughly 38 GW to 19 GW. After severe attacks in spring 2024, capacity declined further, down to 12 GW. Towards the end of 2024 Ukraine was able to restore 3 GW and has worked to restore and add additional capacity throughout 2025, despite ongoing attacks.Distributed solar PV has played a key role, providing cost effective and rapid increases in electricity generation capacity, contributing…
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Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit Buildings
Introduction Buildings account for about 30% of final energy consumption globally and more than half of electricity consumption. Doubling the global annual energy intensity improvement by 2030 would require buildings to become more efficient rapidly. An integrated policy approach combining regulation, information and incentives is the most effective way to achieve this goal. Regulatory standards such as building energy codes are among the most effective policies to not only boost energy performance and reduce emissions, but also to improve occupants' health, comfort and productivity – while enhancing climate resilience and mitigating energy price fluctuations. Buildings built after a code is introduced can…
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David Benazeraf
Former China Programme Officer.
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Global EV Outlook 2025 Trends in heavy-duty electric vehicles
Electric bus and truck sales The electric bus market continued to expand, backed by increasingly favourable economics Electric bus sales grew by 30% in 2024Global sales of electric buses reached more than 70 000 in 2024, driven by renewed growth in China. Sales outside of China increased by just 5% in 2024, although they have almost tripled compared to 2020. As electric bus sales have increased in a range of countries, China’s share of global sales has fallen from around 99% in 2017 to less than 70% in 2024. Although electric bus sales in China generally declined from 2017 to…
