Wednesday, 19 August 2026

South Africa's Eskom will not fine or disconnect residential customers who fail to register their small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) systems by a September 30 deadline, according to pv magazine.

The utility set the deadline itself, and pv magazine reported that stakeholders challenged whether Eskom had the authority to impose penalties of that kind. Eskom then determined that the deadline would not trigger them.

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) welcomed the decision not to proceed with the penalties, pv magazine said.

The registration question sits against a fast-growing rooftop and utility-scale base. Cumulative solar capacity in South Africa has passed 10 GW, with 1.6 GW added last year, according to pv magazine.

The Strait of Hormuz remains de facto closed as Iran keeps attacking ships transiting the waterway, according to Semafor Net Zero.

Semafor Net Zero also reported that Tehran rejected the UAE's allegation against it, calling it a "false flag".

Iran has received materiel from Russia to replenish depleted weapons stockpiles, NBC reported, according to Semafor Net Zero. The delivery points to an external resupply channel for Tehran while the shipping disruption persists.

Financial friction is widening alongside the maritime disruption. Saudi Arabia is tightening scrutiny of financial transfers to the UAE, Semafor Net Zero reported.

Saudi Arabia's state-owned mining company Maaden is drawing on oil producer Aramco for technical expertise as it steps up surveying of the kingdom for copper, zinc, and other minerals tied to the energy transition, Semafor reported.

The partnership is expected to be owned 51% by Maaden and 49% by Aramco, according to Semafor.

Maaden's push into exploration comes as the number of exploration firms registered in Saudi Arabia climbed from six in 2020 to more than 225 by 2024, according to Enterprise AM figures cited by Semafor.