Renewable Energy Paying Off for South Africa

South Africa saved 4 billion rand ($310 million) in fuel and avoided blackouts in the first half of 2015 due to renewable energy projects, according to a study by the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research. From January to June, 800 megawatts of wind and 1 gigawatt of solar photovoltaic power-generation saved the nation about 3.6 billion rand in diesel and coal-fuel costs, the Pretoria-based center said Aug. 19. In addition, renewables either prevented or limited rolling blackouts during part of that time, the study said. South Africa’s state-owned power company Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. has imposed rolling blackouts almost ...