[South Africa plans to add 8GW a year to the grid] On June 2, 2023, South Africa's current rollout of solar and wind power to increase the share of solar and wind in the country's energy mix from 7% to 40% by 2030 is the fastest way out of the electricity crisis, according to the South African Presidency's Climate Commission (PCC). It is also the cheapest option to build the energy sector South Africa needs to stick to its global climate commitments. The PCC, which was set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020 to advise on issues such as a just energy transition, released a set of recommendations on electricity planning in South Africa on June 1. The PCC said South Africa aimed to solve its power crisis by integrating at least 8GW of wind and solar power into the grid annually over the next two to four years. About 2.5GW of new renewable energy projects are now registered with South Africa's national energy regulator. Experience shows that this target is achievable in the first three months of 2023. Ultimately, South Africa will need to add 50 to 60Gw of renewable energy by 2030. Steve Nicholls, head of mitigation issues at the PCC and climate change adviser at the National Business Initiative, said this would take the share of renewables in South Africa's energy mix to about 40 per cent. According to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, coal-fired power will account for around 80% of electricity generation by 2022, with renewables (excluding hydropower) accounting for 7%. Editor/Xu Shengpeng

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• 2026.06.29 18:35
• [The 750 kV project in Changbei, Xinjiang has started construction]
• On June 25, 2026, the 750 kV transmission and transformation project in Changbei, Xinjiang, with a total investment of 1.3125 billion yuan, began construction and is scheduled to be put into operation in 2028. The project involves the construction of a 750 kV substation and 56.8 kilometers of supporting lines, which can accommodate 10 million kilowatts of new energy and serve the local 20 million kilowatts of planned photovoltaics. The project aims to address the shortcomings of the new energy transmission network in the Gurbantunggut Desert, while also considering the growth of regional electricity consumption. In 2026, Xinjiang will promote 35 ultra-high voltage and extra high voltage power grid projects, continuously improve the local new power system, and help promote dual carbon development.Editor/Gong Ziwei

• 2026.06.29 18:26
• [Zhejiang Tiantai Pumped Storage Power Station is fully put into operation]
• On June 25, 2026, the Zhejiang Tiantai Pumped Storage Power Station with a total installed capacity of 1.7 million kilowatts was put into operation. This power station is the world's highest rated head and the largest single unit capacity pumped storage power station in China. It is also the first pumped storage project to be put into operation during the 15th Five Year Plan period. Constructed by Three Gorges Group, we have overcome a series of ultra-high water head technologies and achieved breakthroughs in the localization of multiple materials and construction equipment. The power station can provide 1.7 billion kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually, strengthen the regulation capacity of Zhejiang power grid, and assist in the consumption of new energy and the green transformation of energy.Editor/Gong Ziwei