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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Spain may find valuable lessons from South Australia's 2016 blackout
On Sept. 28 in 2016, the state of South Australia's grid was hit with a blackout. At the time it was generating a high proportion of its power from wind turbines Bloomberg By Akshat Rathi The world is waiting to hear from the Spanish grid operator for answers on what caused a nationwide blackout last week, but that hasn't stopped speculation that a high share of solar power on the grid was somehow a culprit. On Sept. 28 in 2016, the state of South Australia's grid was hit with a blackout. At the time it was generating a high proportion of its power from wind turbines. And what happened in the years that followed is worth examining to understand how blackouts occur in an era in which renewables account for an of increasing share of the electricity mix, and how the grid continues to develop as a result. What went down on that day? The Australian Energy Regulator's report in 2018 summed it up: It was triggered by severe weather that damaged transmission and distribution assets, which was followed by reduced wind farm output and a loss of synchronism that caused the loss of the Heywood Interconnector. The subsequent imbalance in supply and demand resulted in the remaining electricity generation in SA shutting down. Most supplies were restored in 8 hours. So were renewables to blame? A wind farm contributed, but so did many other things. 'The discourse on social media and traditional media tends to hyperfocus on a single cause,' said Ketan Joshi, author of Windfall, a book that explored the mistakes and opportunities of renewables deployment in Australia. 'But no one cause was alone sufficient to have caused the blackout.' Cooler heads prevailed at the grid operator. In the short term, utilities increased the share of reserve gas power plants, improved weather warnings and synchronous condensers (a device that mimics a rotating power turbine) on the network. Over the longer term, electricity providers added tons of lithium-ion batteries onto the grid and increased the share of power generated from cheap, clean solar and wind farms. In 2017, for example, Tesla Inc.'s Elon Musk promised to build a battery for South Australia's grid in a mere 100 days. And he delivered what was then the world's largest grid-connected battery, helping to kickstart an Australian energy storage boom that BloombergNEF forecasts will see 2.5 gigawatts of new utility-scale capacity added this year. Nonetheless, Joshi said the blackout led to years of misinformation about renewables. He's documented many examples of politicians bringing up the 2016 blackout to slow down policies aimed at deploying renewables. But renewables kept advancing. 'Engineers basically dealt with the problem by looking at the evidence, but equally Australia had a democracy that could withstand the level of disinformation being spread about renewables,' said Joshi. 'The challenge in Spain's case is to ensure the attacks don't find purchase.'
Malaysian Reserve
05-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Spain may find valuable lessons from South Australia's 2016 blackout
THE world is waiting to hear from the Spanish grid operator for answers on what caused a nationwide blackout last week, but that hasn't stopped speculation that a high share of solar power on the grid was somehow a culprit. For those who've worked in the energy industry in Australia, these feelings of uncertainty and blame directed to renewables sound familiar. On Sept. 28 in 2016, the state of South Australia's grid was hit with a blackout. At the time it was generating a high proportion of its power from wind turbines. And what happened in the years that followed is worth examining to understand how blackouts occur in an era in which renewables account for an of increasing share of the electricity mix, and how the grid continues to develop as a result. What went down on that day? The Australian Energy Regulator's report in 2018 summed it up: It was triggered by severe weather that damaged transmission and distribution assets, which was followed by reduced wind farm output and a loss of synchronism that caused the loss of the Heywood Interconnector. The subsequent imbalance in supply and demand resulted in the remaining electricity generation in SA shutting down. Most supplies were restored in 8 hours. So were renewables to blame? A wind farm contributed, but so did many other things. 'The discourse on social media and traditional media tends to hyperfocus on a single cause,' said Ketan Joshi, author of Windfall, a book that explored the mistakes and opportunities of renewables deployment in Australia. 'But no one cause was alone sufficient to have caused the blackout.' Cooler heads prevailed at the grid operator. In the short term, utilities increased the share of reserve gas power plants, improved weather warnings and synchronous condensers (a device that mimics a rotating power turbine) on the network. Over the longer term, electricity providers added tons of lithium-ion batteries onto the grid and increased the share of power generated from cheap, clean solar and wind farms. In 2017, for example, Tesla Inc.'s Elon Musk promised to build a battery for South Australia's grid in a mere 100 days. And he delivered what was then the world's largest grid-connected battery, helping to kickstart an Australian energy storage boom that BloombergNEF forecasts will see 2.5 gigawatts of new utility-scale capacity added this year. Nonetheless, Joshi said the blackout led to years of misinformation about renewables. He's documented many examples of politicians bringing up the 2016 blackout to slow down policies aimed at deploying renewables. But renewables kept advancing. 'Engineers basically dealt with the problem by looking at the evidence, but equally Australia had a democracy that could withstand the level of disinformation being spread about renewables,' said Joshi. 'The challenge in Spain's case is to ensure the attacks don't find purchase.' –BLOOMBERG
Powys County Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Funding for renewable energy projects in Montgomeryshire
A grant scheme is offering funding for renewable energy projects in Montgomeryshire. The Windfall scheme, which is run by the Mid Wales Community Energy Trust, is now open for applications. The scheme is primarily focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects within the county. Community groups are being encouraged to apply for the second round of funding, which will provide up to £30,000 in grant funding to not-for-profit organisations in the Carno, Caersws, Trefeglwys, Dwyriw, Llanbrynmair, and Llanerfyl community council areas. For community groups outside these areas but still within Montgomeryshire, up to £10,000 in grant funding is available per project. The scheme is also open to low-carbon, shared, community, and active travel initiatives, as well as educational activities aimed at sustainable development. Past beneficiaries have included village halls, football clubs, energy cooperatives, training organisations, and climate action groups. The chair of Windfall, Andy Bull, said: "We're delighted to announce this second round of funding under our new arrangements. "I'd like to encourage community groups to pitch in and apply for grants that could make a tangible difference to local people, especially those around the Carno wind farm and those that operate at least partially in Welsh. "Perhaps it's about installing renewable energy measures or maybe a project that will lower a community's carbon footprint - we're open to considering a wide range of proposals." The grant scheme is managed by the sustainability charity Severn Wye Energy Agency, which will distribute funds to successful applicants. Severn Wye's director for Wales, Dave Gittins, said: "This funding will give an important boost to sustainability projects across Montgomeryshire. "We're excited to see what ideas come forward and to help local communities progress on their low-carbon journeys." The scheme is particularly interested in projects involving renewable energy generation, energy efficiency or demand-reduction measures, low-carbon, shared, community and active travel initiatives, and educational activities around sustainable development. The current round of funding is supplied by Amegni Ltd, the owner of the Carno Wind Farm. Interested applicants can find full guidance and application forms on the Windfall website. Queries about the scheme or the application process can be sent to grants@ The deadline for applications to this round is June 16, 2025, with a further round of funding expected to open in August 2025.
Reuters
16-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Ghana government takes control of Gold Fields' Damang mine, mines ministry says
ACCRA, April 16 (Reuters) - Ghana's government has assumed operational control of Gold Fields' (GFIJ.J), opens new tab Damang mine after it rejected an application from the South African company to renew its lease, the mines ministry said on Wednesday. The Johannesburg-based miner said on Monday that it had unsuccessfully applied to extend the Damang lease, which is due to expire on April 18, and was winding down operations as a result. It was only processing stockpiles at Damang after ceasing mining operations in 2023, although it had committed to exit the operation in an orderly way as part of its end-of-life plan. "The Damang Mine's return to state oversight marks a critical step in Ghana's economic reset, ensuring its gold reserves directly benefit citizens," the mines ministry said in a statement. It said the decision aligned with policy moves to stop the "neo-colonial" automatic renewal of mining licenses in gold-producing Ghana, but reassessing in order to maximise national benefit. "We are on the lookout for value propositions on the utilisation of our mineral resources that align with the same," the ministry added. Damang is the smaller of Gold Fields' two mines in Ghana after Tarkwa, the biggest open pit gold mine in the country. Damang produced 135,000 ounces of gold in 2024, about 6% of the group's total output of 2.15 million ounces. The company has been weighing selling its smaller operations - including Damang and the Cerro Corona mine in Peru, which has less than five years left on its lifespan - as it focuses on its newly commissioned Salares Norte mine in Chile and the Windfall project in Canada.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gold Fields to close Damang mine in Ghana after lease renewal rejection
Gold Fields is set to cease operations at its Damang gold mine in Ghana following the government's decision not to renew the mining lease. The mining company had sought a 30-year extension to the lease through its subsidiary Abosso Goldfields but was notified of the rejection by the Minerals Commission of Ghana. Abosso Goldfields, the Ghanaian registered company that operates the Damang mine, is 71.1% owned by Gold Fields Ghana, with IAMGold holding 18.9% and the Ghanaian Government owning the remaining 10%. The Damang site includes five prospecting licences and two mining leases, covering a total area of 8,111ha. Gold Fields, which also owns the Tarkwa mine in Ghana, has been in discussions with authorities, asserting that its lease extension application met all statutory requirements. Despite these efforts, the lease, set to expire on 18 April 2025, was not extended. In a press statement, Gold Fields said: 'The Government has instructed Gold Fields to cease operations and vacate the lease area by the 18th April on expiry of the lease. Gold Fields is therefore preparing to safely and responsibly cease operations and ensure the safety and security of our people and high-risk operations. 'The company continues to seek ongoing engagement with the Government to secure the best outcome for all stakeholders. These developments at Damang do not affect operations at Tarkwa, which remain ongoing.' Gold Fields had already stopped mining activities in 2023, focusing on processing stockpiles as part of its end-of-life plan for Damang, reported Reuters. The company is shifting its focus to larger projects such as the Salares Norte mine in Chile and the Windfall project in Canada. In a separate development, Ghana has directed all foreign entities involved in its gold trading sector to exit the market by 20 April 2025, reported Reuters, citing a statement issued by a newly formed government agency. The move comes as the country aims to restructure the way it purchases gold from small-scale miners to increase national revenue and curb smuggling activities. Previously, both local and foreign companies holding export licences were authorised to buy and export gold sourced from artisanal or small-scale mining operations. This system, however, is now due to be replaced by a centralised model. Under the new framework, only the recently established Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) will have the authority to purchase, sell, assay and export artisanal gold. As a result, all previously issued licences for such activities have been rendered invalid. Foreigners, however, will have the option to apply "to buy or take-off gold directly from the GoldBod", reported the news agency, citing a statement. Last year, Gold Fields acquired Canada-based mineral exploration company Osisko Mining for $1.39bn (R29.61bn). "Gold Fields to close Damang mine in Ghana after lease renewal rejection" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
