Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 8 October 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The National Nuclear Regulator has completed its third and final round of public consultations on Eskom’s application to extend the operation of the Koeberg nuclear power plant in Cape Town beyond its original design life. Hearings were held in the Northern and the Western Cape. Board chairperson Protas Phili says stakeholder input is vital for transparency and safety. The regulator will now review all submissions before announcing its final decision on Koeberg’s Unit 2 application.

# For the first time, renewables generated more power than coal globally in the first half of this year. According to new data from the global energy think tank Ember, the world generated almost a third more solar power in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2024, meeting 83-percent of the global increase in electricity demand. Wind power grew by over seven-percent. China and India were largely responsible for the surge in renewables, while, in contrast, the US relied more heavily on fossil fuels.

# And finally: Cape Town has been included in TimeOut’s best 20 places to visit between October this year and February 2026. This as countries in the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing colder weather during this period. Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, known for having turquoise waters and cloud-free skies pretty much all year round, tops the list. Namibia is second, followed by Cyprus, Bali in Indonesia, and Spain’s Alicante wraps up the top five. Cape Town is 17th on the list, recognised for its luscious natural scenery and sandy beaches, and blue skies between November and February.

Stay tuned for more news………….