Eskom hopes to accelerate SWH roll-out as it doubles rebates - State-owned power utility Eskom is confident that an effective doubling of the subsidy levels for its solar water heater (SWH) rebate programme, coupled with the anticipated increases in electricity prices over the next three years, would lead to a bigger uptake of this technology by the South African public, spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said on Wednesday.

The utility this week announced to SWH suppliers that it would be increasing the rebates for purchasers of systems that were registered under Eskom’s SWH programme. [Engineering News]

South Africans not buying into electricity price hikes - survey - South Africans are not buying into the reasons for planned electricity price increases, according to the results of a survey released on Tuesday as public hearings into the hikes started in Limpopo.

"This must be seen as a signal failure of communication by all parties to the problem," TNS Research Surveys said in a statement. [Engineering News]

Morocco to invite bids for solar station in Feb - Morocco will invite bids for construction of its first solar power station at the end of next month as part of a $9-billion solar energy project, its energy minister said on Wednesday.

The 500-megawatt plant will be in the southern town of Ouarzazate, the site where Morocco's ruler, King Mohammed, announced the launch of the nationwide solar project last year. [Engineering News]