Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 6 June 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The International Energy Agency says global energy investment is set to increase to a record 59-trillion-rand this year, amid economic uncertainty and energy security concerns. Renewables, nuclear power, power grids, energy storage, low-carbon fuels, and energy efficiency will be the main areas of net investment. Investment in oil, natural gas, and coal is set to drop. The agency says China remains the leader in terms of clean energy investments, while the US is expected to stabilise due to a reduction in government support.

# Cape Town mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, says they are making progress with their 200-million-rand solar photovoltaic plant in Atlantis. Around two-thousand-400 solar panels of the total planned 12-thousand-850 to power the local grid by the end of this year have been installed. Hill-Lewis says this plant can potentially scale up to ten megawatts fed directly into the local grid, and they will connect the initial seven megawatt capacity to a nearby main substation by the end of the year:

# And finally: South African geologist Tebogo Makhubela has been named a National Geographic Explorer and recipient of the 2025 Wayfinder Award. Celebrated for his research at the Cradle of Humankind, Makhubela’s work helps unlock ancient secrets of human origins. Makhubela is part of National Geographic’s Rising Star team, studying Homo naledi and early burial practices. He says that the award is a milestone for African researchers shaping humanity’s shared story.

Stay tuned for more news………….