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Zambia: ZESCO Signs 25-Year Deal To Offtake Power From 400MW Sinazongwe Thermal Plant
Zambia’s power utility company, ZESCO Limited, has agreed to offtake the entire output from a 400-megawatt thermal power plant currently under construction in the Sinazongwe–Sinazeze area, being developed by a Zambian company at a cost of US$561 million.
According to ZESCO Chief Operating Officer Fitzpatrick Kapepe, the utility has already agreed to purchase the plant’s entire electricity output under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Kapepe said the project would strengthen Zambia’s energy security, as thermal power generation is not affected by droughts, unlike hydropower.
“We have had discussions with Ezra. We will actually off-take the whole 400MW, obviously less auxiliary losses. This power is going to be off-taken by ZESCO under a power purchase agreement, which will run for 25 years,” Kapepe said in a report by Kalemba.
“The most important thing we need to understand is that the thermal plant is resilient to droughts. Whether we have rains or not, it will still be able to generate power and send electrons to the growth centres of this country.”
He said the additional power would support industries, mining activities, and agriculture as the country works toward its ambitious economic targets.
Kapepe noted that the country is targeting 10,000MW in generation capacity, and the new plant would contribute significantly toward achieving that goal.
“This is baseload power; it is very firm power. It will support the growth centres of the economy. We have the mines, and we know the President’s vision of increasing copper production from just under one million metric tonnes to three million metric tonnes,” he said.
“We also understand the target is to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize and three million metric tonnes of soya beans. This means we still need power to extract value from those growth centres and advance the President’s vision.”
Ezra Group Chief Executive Officer Meron Ezra said the project will be implemented in two phases of 200 megawatts each.
Ezra disclosed that Phase One has already commenced following the completion of pre-construction works this month.
“We have a 400MW power plant project being done in two phases. Phase One is 200 megawatts and Phase Two is also 200 megawatts. Phase One has already started, and we have completed all pre-construction works,” Ezra said.
He added that the entire project would cost US$561 million and is expected to create between 1,200 and 1,500 jobs during the construction phase.
Ezra further noted that the first 200MW phase is expected to be completed and commissioned by the end of next year, while the second phase is scheduled for commissioning in December 2029.
He said the project is currently about 20 percent complete and is progressing well.
According to Ezra, the coal-fired plant will add stability to the national grid, increase access to electricity, and create opportunities for further investment in the country’s economy.
Gambia: Scores Of Gambians Protest Widespread Power Outages In The Greater Banjul Area
Scores of Gambians took to the streets on Friday to protest persistent power outages across the Greater Banjul Area and the West Coast Region.
Some protesters held placards bearing inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough,” “We Can’t Study in Darkness,” Every home deserve electricity”, Restore our electricity and Invest in renewable energy rather than buying old generators.”
The Gambia is currently experiencing widespread power outages, with the national utility company, NAWEC, attributing the situation to generation constraints within the regional power network, which have reduced the country’s power supply by about 60MW.
Despite explanations from NAWEC and government spokespersons that the current power outages are being caused by external factors, opposition parties have rejected the claim, accusing the government of failing to manage the energy sector efficiently.
As a result of the planned protest, NAWEC reportedly suspended staff movements to and from its Head Office and tightened security measures ahead of the demonstration over the ongoing electricity and water crisis.
In an internal memo circulated to staff, NAWEC management said it had been informed of a planned demonstration related to the recent power supply situation in the Greater Banjul Area and the West Coast Region.
The utility company directed that all staff and official vehicles must enter the Head Office premises by 8:30 a.m. on Friday, after which access restrictions would be enforced.
“Field operations staff must suspend all movement to and from the Head Office from 8:30 a.m.,” the memo stated.
Management also advised all NAWEC-owned and rented vehicles to avoid protest routes and areas where demonstrations were expected to take place, particularly vehicles bearing NAWEC logos or identification.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to peaceful assembly, the company said the measures were necessary to protect staff and company assets.
“Management fully respects the right to peaceful assembly, but the safety and wellbeing of all staff remains our top priority,” the memo said. This version incorporates
“Scores of Gambians” into the opening while improving grammar, flow, and news-style readability.
Kenya: Shell Announces Petrol Discount For Kenyans
Vivo Energy Kenya, the company that markets and distributes Shell-branded petroleum products, has announced a discount on petrol across its 340 service stations for customers.
The offer is valid only on Friday, June 19, and forms part of the company’s plan to appreciate customers for their continued support during what it has dubbed “Shell Magical Friday.”
Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi said motorists across the country will be able to enjoy premium imported Shell V-Power fuel at the same price as Shell FuelSave Unleaded this Friday.
“The offer will be in all Shell petrol stations. Despite the challenging market conditions, Vivo Energy Kenya is grateful for the continued support and loyalty of its customers. Vivo Energy is the only company that imports and distributes Shell V-Power in Kenya. The premium fuel delivers superior performance and enhanced engine protection by helping to clean critical engine components, ensuring a smoother and more efficient driving experience,” Murungi said in a report by TUKO.co.ke.
With Shell V-Power currently retailing at KSh 229, motorists across the country will save KSh 15 per litre.
Both Shell FuelSave Unleaded and Shell V-Power will be sold to customers at KSh 214.03.
“Shell V-Power is Shell’s most advanced fuel to date. The new and improved Shell V-Power delivers enhanced engine protection and exceptional performance, making it the fuel trusted and endorsed by Scuderia Ferrari HP, Ducati Corse, and the BMW M Series. One of its key benefits is the 100% cleaning of critical engine components. With three times more cleaning molecules, the new Shell V-Power actively targets and removes engine deposits while helping to prevent future build-up on vital components, ensuring optimal engine performance,” Murungi explained.
Ghana: NPA Launches Technical Committee To Regulate Bitumen Sector
Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has inaugurated a 16-member multi-stakeholder Bitumen Technical Committee tasked with developing a robust regulatory framework to guide the quality, regulation, and use of bitumen in Ghana’s road construction sector.
The committee is chaired by Mr. Abass Tasunti, Director of Economic Regulation and Planning (ER&P) at the NPA, with Ms. Bridgette A. Turkson, Acting Director of the Licensing Directorate, serving as Co-Chair.
Other members include representatives from the NPA’s Quality Assurance, Licensing, Inspections, Monitoring and HSE, and Economic Regulation and Planning Directorates, as well as key stakeholders from the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division), and the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
The bitumen industry has existed in Ghana for several years and plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of the country’s road infrastructure. However, there is currently no dedicated regulatory framework governing key activities such as importation, storage, transportation, distribution, and quality assurance.
Speaking on the importance of the Bitumen Technical Committee, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Mr. Tameklo Esq., said the committee would ensure that bitumen produced or imported into the country meets the required standards.
“The road sector is a huge consumer of bitumen, and the concern is coming primarily from that sector regarding the quality of the product available. As long as it is a by-product of the refinery, it comes directly under the NPA, and we have the responsibility to ensure that the bitumen that enters the country is of good quality,” Mr. Tameklo said.
“You will notice that the Technical Committee comprises members from the NPA, Ghana Standards Authority, and Ghana Highways Authority so that we can work together to ensure that Ghana uses bitumen of the highest quality.”
The NPA CEO also noted that the inclusion of representatives from various stakeholder institutions would help ensure a collaborative approach toward developing a comprehensive regulatory framework.
“The Technical Committee has strong multi-stakeholder representation, even though it is heavily tilted towards the NPA. This is a very critical committee, and I want all of you to do your best. No compromises—let’s do it for Ghana.”
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr. Abass Tasunti, expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver on its mandate and encouraged members to contribute actively to the process.
“Bitumen is a critical product in the country. Almost all our roads are constructed with it, so it is important that we pay close attention to it.
“As a regulator, the NPA must exercise oversight over all petroleum products, including bitumen. We have been engaging stakeholders over the years to develop a framework that will ensure any bitumen produced or imported meets international standards.
“The diversity of this committee is intended to ensure that the best expertise is brought to bear on this task. I therefore encourage everyone to participate fully so that we can develop a practical and effective regulatory framework,” Mr. Tasunti said.
The inauguration of the Bitumen Technical Committee marks a significant step in the NPA’s efforts to strengthen quality assurance and regulatory oversight within Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
Kosmos Energy Completes $127m Sale Of Equatorial Guinea Assets To Panoro Energy
Kosmos Energy, a U.S.-based oil and gas company, has announced the completion of the sale of its interests in the Ceiba Field and Okume Complex production assets in Block G, offshore Equatorial Guinea, to Panoro Energy for approximately $127 million.
The company said it also expects future contingent payments of up to approximately $40 million, subject to certain oil price and production thresholds.
In a statement, Kosmos Energy said the proceeds from the transaction will be used to repay borrowings under the company’s reserves-based lending (RBL) credit facility.
Kosmos Energy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew G. Inglis, said:
“We are pleased to have closed this transaction, a win-win for Kosmos and Panoro. For Kosmos, the transaction high-grades our portfolio by divesting high unit-operating-cost production and increases balance sheet resilience, while retaining exposure to future upside from the assets. Strategically, it also enables Kosmos to focus our capital and expertise on our world-class assets, where we can add the most value for our stakeholders over the long term. We would like to thank CEMAC and the Government of Equatorial Guinea for their timely approvals.”
To reflect the impact of the completed sale, Kosmos said it will provide updated full-year 2026 guidance with its second-quarter results in August.
The company added that year-to-date production from the assets has averaged around 5,800 barrels of oil per day net to Kosmos.
An asset retirement obligation liability of approximately $140 million will also be removed from the balance sheet.
NNPC, TotalEnergies Extend Methane Reduction Partnership For Two More Years
Nigeria’s national oil company, NNPC Limited, has renewed its partnership with TotalEnergies for another two years to expand the use of advanced drone-based technology aimed at detecting, measuring, and reducing methane emissions across its upstream operations as part of its decarbonisation and gas-flare reduction commitments.
The agreement, aimed at helping NNPC Ltd meet its gas-flare reduction obligations in line with its Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) commitments, participation in the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0, and its near-zero methane emissions ambition by 2030, follows an earlier agreement signed in 2023 for the adoption of the AUSEA technology.
The agreement was signed by NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, and TotalEnergies Country Chair and Managing Director, Matthieu Bouyer, on behalf of their respective companies at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ntia expressed satisfaction with the first phase of the technology’s deployment, stressing that he would like to see it scaled across more assets.
“Today’s signing represents a practical step in NNPC Limited’s journey to build a credible, transparent, and action-oriented decarbonisation programme. Through the AUSEA initiative, we are strengthening our ability to detect, quantify, and prioritise methane abatement opportunities using advanced measurement technology,” Ntia said.
He also called for the institutionalisation of progress reporting in line with compliance requirements and highlighted the potential for technology transfer under the AUSEA programme.
On his part, TotalEnergies’ Senior Vice President for Africa, Mike Sangster, expressed satisfaction with the cooperation his company has enjoyed from NNPC over the years. He noted that TotalEnergies was the first oil-producing company in Nigeria to end gas flaring across all its assets and said the AUSEA technology had been instrumental in achieving that milestone, as the company works towards near-zero methane emissions by 2030.
AUSEA is a drone-based technology developed by TotalEnergies in partnership with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Reims.
The technology helps identify unaccounted emission sources, provides a basis for reviewing and improving existing emissions reporting processes, supplies data for evaluating operational systems and implementing corrective actions, and enables the estimation of flare combustion efficiency.Ukraine Hits Moscow Refinery As Zelenskyy Seeks Trump Support To End War
Ukrainian drones have hit a Moscow oil refinery for the second time this week while Russia fired missiles at Kyiv, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks support from the United States and Europe to reach a deal to end the war.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that its air defences shot down 555 Ukrainian drones over several regions overnight, with almost 200 intercepted as they approached the Russian capital.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said several drones struck an oil refinery.
“Air defence forces continue to repel a massive attack. Several drones managed to reach the Moscow oil refinery,” Sobyanin said, adding that a shopping centre also suffered minor damage.
The attack on the oil facility was the second this week. A drone strike on Tuesday halted operations at the refinery, according to the Reuters news agency, as widespread damage to Russian energy facilities worsens the country’s fuel crisis.
The regional governor said that, in the surrounding Moscow region, a high-rise residential building, an industrial facility, and a number of private houses were also damaged in the drone attack.
Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow’s busiest, suspended flights and evacuated people, with several passengers seeking shelter in the car park, the airport said in a statement.
Kyiv, meanwhile, came under a second Russian air attack this week as ballistic missiles were launched at the Ukrainian capital, city officials said.
“The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles. Stay in safe places until the air raid alert is over!” Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration, said in a Telegram post.
Authorities in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy said one person was killed in a drone attack.
Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine said nine locations were hit after at least 239 drones and seven ballistic missiles were launched at Ukraine overnight.
“Ukraine says that it was able to intercept the majority of them,” she added.
Earlier this week, a major Russian attack on Kyiv killed 11 people and damaged a UNESCO-listed 1,000-year-old monastery, drawing condemnation from European leaders. Russia denied striking the monastery.
The attacks come as Zelenskyy works to pressure Russia into negotiating an end to its more than four-year-long war. Zelenskyy said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other G7 leaders to coordinate efforts to end the war.
G7 leaders pledged to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and increase pressure on Moscow’s war economy, including by tightening sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas sectors.
Trump told reporters he was “gonna do whatever I can” to end the war.
Zelenskyy said he received important commitments from the G7, including “more air defence missiles along with licences to produce them, and a winter support package.”
“Importantly, the US is ready to provide a backstop across these lines of effort,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “It is key that everything discussed be implemented. Russia must learn that its war will never be normalised.”
Zambia: Korean Investors Explore Nuclear and Solar Energy Projects In Zambia
Korean investors represented by KS Eco Solutions Holdings Limited have expressed interest in investing in the development of nuclear power plants and solar energy projects in Zambia.
The group met with Permanent Secretary for Electricity, Arnold Simwaba, and his team of energy experts to discuss potential investments, including the establishment of nuclear power stations in Zambia.
Eng. Simwaba welcomed the proposed investment, noting that Zambia’s rapidly growing economy requires an expansion of energy sources to meet increasing demand.
Zambia currently generates about 4,000 megawatts of electricity and is targeting 10,000 megawatts to support the government’s ambition of producing three million tonnes of copper annually by 2030.
He added that while Zambia has recently placed significant focus on solar energy development, the country remains open to diversified investments that will strengthen long-term energy security.
Amb. Banda said discussions on Korean investments in Zambia’s energy sector had been ongoing for some time and expressed satisfaction that the engagements were now beginning to materialise.
He described South Korea as a reliable partner with proven expertise and a strong track record of delivering successful investment projects.
The proposed investments are expected to further deepen Zambia–Korea cooperation and contribute significantly to the country’s efforts to diversify and expand its electricity generation capacity.
UK Court Acquits Nigeria’s Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Of Bribery Charges
A London court on Wednesday acquitted former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, of all six bribery charges brought against her by the UK’s National Crime Agency.
The former minister, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015, had been standing trial at Southwark Crown Court on five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. Diezani Alison-Madueke denied all allegations throughout the proceedings.
According to a Reuters report, prosecutors alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Alison-Madueke received various benefits and enjoyed what they described as “a life of luxury” funded by oil and gas industry figures seeking favourable treatment and lucrative contracts in Nigeria.
The former minister, who also served as President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2014, maintained that she neither accepted bribes nor exercised direct influence over the award of government oil and gas contracts.
According to Reuters, after deliberating for more than 46 hours, the jury returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts on all six counts against her.
The verdict marks a significant setback for British authorities, whose investigation into allegations of corruption involving Alison-Madueke began more than a decade ago.
Also acquitted were oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde and Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama.
Ayinde, 54, faced one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and another count of bribing a foreign public official. Agama, 69, was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with payments allegedly made to his church.
Both men denied the allegations and were also cleared by the jury.
The acquittal brings to an end a high-profile corruption case that drew considerable attention in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
Alison-Madueke was formally charged by the NCA in August 2023 over allegations that she received illegal payments in exchange for approving oil and gas contracts worth millions of pounds while serving as Nigeria’s petroleum minister.
In October 2023, a UK court granted her bail of £70,000 after prosecutors argued that she posed a potential flight risk.
As part of the bail conditions, she was required to observe a nightly curfew, wear an electronic monitoring tag, and provide a £70,000 surety.
In January 2025, Nigeria and the United States signed an asset repatriation agreement covering $52.88 million in assets known as the Galactica assets, which authorities had previously linked to Alison-Madueke.
The agreement provided for the return of the funds to Nigeria for designated development projects.
Ghana Gas, NPA Reaffirm Commitment To Industry Growth
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas), Ms Judith Adjobah Blay, and her team on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr Godwin Kudzo Tameklo (Esq).
The visit follows an initial meeting in August last year, which sought to explore ways in which both organisations could collaborate to drive growth in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
Discussions on Tuesday focused on promoting the smooth operations of Ghana Gas and strengthening partnerships between the two entities, among other issues.
In her remarks, Ms Blay noted that such meetings are necessary to ensure that both institutions remain aligned as strategic partners.
“Following the meeting we had in August last year, we agreed to meet again and discuss a few more technical issues that have a bearing on the work of NPA and Ghana Gas.
“This is because we serve businesses, and these meetings are necessary to ensure that we remain on the same page regarding how we support the companies that engage with us,” Ms Blay stated.
Responding to her remarks, Mr Tameklo thanked Ghana Gas for the courtesy call and assured the company that the NPA would continue to fulfil its mandate and ensure that nothing undermines Ghana Gas’s operations.
“I personally want to thank the CEO of Ghana Gas for the visit, and we want to assure you that the NPA will return the favour.
“We will intensify our operational efforts in the areas where we need to make your work less difficult and ensure that your operations continue smoothly.
“I am sure that we have agreed on decisions that will benefit both organisations, and the NPA will deliver on its part of the bargain for the greater good of our sector,” he concluded.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between the National Petroleum Authority and Ghana Gas, highlighting their shared commitment to collaboration, operational efficiency and the sustainable growth of Ghana’s energy sector.
UK Forces Seize Russian-Linked ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker
British forces have seized a Russian-linked oil tanker suspected of breaching sanctions while transiting the English Channel on Sunday, in what Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as a significant setback for Moscow’s efforts to fund its war in Ukraine.
“This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide,” Starmer wrote in a post on X on Sunday.
Following the raid, officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested an Indian national on suspicion of sanctions offences, while the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the seizure of the tanker Smyrtos.
The operation marks the first UK-led mission in which British forces have boarded and detained a vessel from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” — a network of hundreds of tankers used to transport Russian oil and circumvent Western sanctions imposed following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
According to vessel-tracking website MarineTraffic, the Smyrtos, carrying 700,000 barrels of Russian oil and sailing under a Cameroonian flag, departed the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga on June 5 and was bound for Port Said, Egypt.
The Smyrtos is recorded as being owned by Hong Kong-registered Zhao Yao Shipping Ltd, which also owns several other sanctioned tankers.
Its management company is listed as being based in Tamil Nadu, India.
The MoD said Royal Marines commandos and NCA officers boarded the tanker in a predawn raid on Sunday, descending onto the vessel by rope from Chinook helicopters. The operation was supported by other military aircraft, a Royal Navy frigate and a minehunter.
The NCA said 24 Georgian and Indian crew members remained aboard the vessel, which is now anchored off the Dorset coast.
The operation lasted six hours. The tanker will be moved to England’s south coast and monitored for any environmental or safety concerns, the ministry said.
The operation was carried out successfully despite the presence of the Russian warship Admiral Grigorovich nearby.
The frigate has been stationed near the UK since April and has escorted numerous Russian tankers through the English Channel.
It is unclear how close the vessel was to the Smyrtos at the time of the raid.
Following the operation, at least six other tankers immediately changed course away from the English Channel.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the UK in a post on X for “taking this important step against Russia’s oil fleet”.
Along with other Western nations, Britain has barred vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” from entering its ports and prohibits British companies from providing insurance, brokerage or financial services to ships transporting Russian oil, which remains a crucial source of revenue for Russia amid its war effort in Ukraine.
Alexander Lord, a defence analyst at London-based intelligence firm Sibylline, told Al Jazeera that sanctions have increased costs and complications for Moscow but have not completely prevented Russia from continuing to export large volumes of oil.
“Russia has a significant customer base and continues to trade its oil at a heavy discount, particularly to countries such as India and China,” Lord said.
“The sanctions are undoubtedly causing problems for the Russian economy. But we are now well into the fifth year of the full-scale invasion [of Ukraine], and Russia is still exporting large quantities of oil.
“Russia is constantly trying to find loopholes to protect its fleet, using shadow-fleet vessels and changing names and ownership structures to circumvent sanctions and investigations.”South Africa: ExxonMobil Signs Preliminary Deal To Supply LNG To First Import Facility
ExxonMobi, American oil and gas giant has entered into a preliminary agreement to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to South Africa’s Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET), which is set to become the country’s first LNG import facility once construction is completed, Reuters reported.
The planned terminal forms part of South Africa’s broader transition away from coal-fired power generation, which still provides the majority of the country’s electricity supply.
ZET was aiming to finalize an LNG supply agreement with ExxonMobil within the coming months, Reuters reported in March.
ExxonMobil’s participation underscores the strategic importance of Richards Bay Port, where ZET is being developed on South Africa’s east coast, as a key entry point for LNG. The project also supports plans to establish a competitive and sustainable gas market, according to Oliver Naidu, a director at ZET.
ExxonMobil has designated South Africa as a priority market and is targeting growth in its LNG supply business to more than 40 million metric tons per year by 2030.
“This agreement reflects ExxonMobil’s global LNG experience and our commitment to supporting South Africa’s energy security through a reliable supply,” said Andrew Barry, chairman of ExxonMobil LNG Market Development Inc.
Earlier this month, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, Eskom, signed a long-term LNG supply agreement with ZET to support a planned 3,000-megawatt gas-to-power project.
Georgia Nuclear Power Plant Cleared For 80-Year Operating Life
The two boiling water reactor units at Georgia Power’s Edwin I Hatch plant have been cleared by the regulator to operate until the mid-2050s
Hatch unit 1 began commercial operation in December 1975, with Hatch 2 following in September 1979. The units were originally licensed to operate for 40 years, with the NRC approving a previous 20-year licence extension in 2002.
The plant is operated by Southern Company subsidiary Southern Nuclear on behalf of its co-owners Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities.
Over the last 20 years, the Hatch units have undergone major improvements, including the replacement of cooling towers at unit 2; replacement of key components such as large transformers, plant service water pumps, feedwater heaters; and the identification and elimination of single point vulnerabilities across the site.
Recent investments have included the construction of an energy education center and a second onsite simulator to train reactor operators: according to Georgia Power, the plant supports hundreds of highly skilled, long-term jobs and contributes millions of dollars of property taxes each year, as well as maintaining strong community partnerships.
The plant’s property is also a protected ecosystem.
Georgia’s population has more than doubled since Hatch unit 1 – the first nuclear power plant in the state – entered service, and now stands at more than 11 million people.
Today, nuclear power from Hatch and the four-unit Vogtle plant, built by the same co-owners, provide nearly 30% of Georgia Power’s overall energy production.
Georgia Power’s latest integrated resource plan approved in July 2025, envisages capacity uprates at four of those units, including at Hatch.
“At Georgia Power, our commitment to our customers is to ensure that the reliable, affordable energy they expect is there when they need it. Our nuclear facilities provide reliable energy around the clock at a stable, predictable cost, and are central to how we deliver on this commitment,” said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed its review of the licence renewal application in less than 12 months – it accepted for docketing plant operator Southern Nuclear’s application on 20 June last year.
This is the second nuclear power plant licence renewal the regulator has completed within the 12-month target for licence renewal reviews under Executive Order 14300: the first was Duke Energy’s Robinson nuclear power plant in South Carolina, which received its subsequent licence renewal in April.
The regulator said it completed its safety and environmental reviews using a streamlined process for licence renewals, applying lessons learned from earlier reviews to work more efficiently without compromising safety standards.
“The NRC continues to demonstrate we can reach timely decisions while maintaining our strict safety oversight,” Director of the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Anna Bradford said.
“The staff’s ability to focus on key factors necessary for long-term plant performance and to implement continuous learning enabled us to efficiently secure another 1.8 gigawatts of power on the grid for 20 more years.”
Hatch unit 1 is now licensed to operate until August 2054, and unit 2 to June 2058.
South Africa: Energy Minister Receives Lifetime Achievement Award At Africa Energy Forum
South Africa’s Minister for Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the organisers of the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) for his role in helping to reduce load shedding and strengthen the country’s energy security.
He was presented with the award at the opening of the 28th Africa Energy Forum (AEF), currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 16–19 June 2026.
The Africa Energy Forum (AEF) 2026, under the theme “Building Africa’s Industrialised Future,” highlights the continent’s need to power growth for more than 1.5 billion people.
The Minister invited on stage the Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Ms. Samantha Graham-Maré, and the Group Chief Executive of Eskom, Mr. Dan Marokane, to share the moment during the award presentation.
South Africa has experienced persistent electricity shortages for more than a decade, largely driven by aging power infrastructure, maintenance backlogs, and insufficient generation capacity from the state utility, Eskom.
To manage supply constraints and prevent a total grid collapse, Eskom implemented load shedding, a controlled and rotational power-cut system that temporarily disconnects parts of the grid to balance demand and supply.
At its peak, load shedding significantly disrupted economic activity, affecting businesses, households, and essential services, and becoming one of South Africa’s most pressing economic challenges.
In recent years, the government has implemented a series of reforms, emergency procurement measures, and increased private-sector participation to stabilize the power system.
These efforts have contributed to a noticeable reduction in the frequency and severity of load shedding, which is part of the progress highlighted during the award recognition of Minister Ramokgopa.