Ghana’s national security has arrested eight Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian at a factory at Shai Hills, a suburb of Greater Accra, in the search for a missing containers containing electrical items belonging power distribution company, Electricity Company of Ghana.
A National Intelligence Bureau operative, who briefed a section of Ghanaian journalists, revealed that the agency received intel which led them to the company.
Upon arrival, they discovered that several Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) cables had been vandalized, cut into pieces, and melted into liquid form.
The liquid metal was then molded into round aluminum bars, and some were powdered for export at high prices, according to the security officer.
Ghana underwent a government transition on January 7, 2025, following the December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
During this transition, the outgoing government informed the incoming administration that ECG had procured electrical equipment loaded in 2,500 containers, which were stuck at the Tema Port.
After assuming office, President John Dramani Mahama appointed John Abdulai Jinapor as the new Minister for Energy and Green Transition. During a recent visit to Tema Port, it was discovered that some containers were missing, prompting the Minister to set up a committee to investigate.
The committee, chaired by Prof. Innocent Senyo Acquah, concluded its investigation and reported that 1,347 containers could not be accounted for.
National security then launched a search for the missing containers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption witnessed a significant 7.25% increase in 2024, according to a report by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC).
Total LPG consumption rose from 317,465,399 litres in 2023 to 340,492,293 litres in 2024.
The surge is attributed to the promotion of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), introduced in Ghana in September 2023, and the country’s adoption of LPG as a cleaner alternative to traditional wood fuels.
Efforts such as rural LPG promotions, distribution of cylinders to northern communities, and public education on safe usage have contributed to this growth.
The report highlights a significant increase in LPG adoption, particularly in urban areas, where usage rose from 28.9% in 2010 to 60% in 2023. Nationally, LPG usage has more than doubled, growing from 18.2% in 2010 to 44.1% in 2023.
However, rural areas continue to lag in LPG adoption, with usage increasing from 4.8% in 2010 to 18.7% in 2023.
The sharp rise in national LPG consumption, especially after 2020, reflects increased accessibility, availability, and government policies promoting clean cooking fuels.
Despite this progress, disparities between urban and rural adoption of LPG use highlight the need for further interventions to expand access and affordability.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
The Accra West Region of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised electricity connections at customer premises in the region.
The move aims at reducing commercial losses and recouping lost revenue for the company.
To this end, the region has set up a special task force to visit customers in the region to audit the state of installed meters and other electrical connections in their facilities.
The Ag. General Manager for ECG Accra West Ing. Emmanuel Ankrah, revealed that the special task force comprises of technical staff specially trained to identify all forms of illegality at customer premises.
He warned that all customers who are identified to have engaged in illegalities will be disconnected, surcharged to pay a punitive amount and reported to the police for prosecution.
“Customers are advised to desist from conniving with self-styled employees of ECG, or electricians who interfere with our meter installations and illegally connect customers to the grid. Such actions deny the ECG of much needed revenue, negatively affecting the quality of services provided to customers,” Ing. Ankrah said.
He further warned that “to all who have done illegal connections, we will identify you and recover the value of all the power you have used for free, with penalty.”
During a three-month pilot of the revenue protection exercise from September to December 2024, 374 customers were arrested for engaging in various forms of illegality. In total, 3.3Gwh of power, amounting to GH¢7,411,462.00 was recovered.
The Accra West Revenue Protection Manager, Dr. Mark Owusu Ansah, revealed that the alarming figure from the pilot shows the gravity of the challenge of illegal connections.
He reiterated the commitment of the task force to visit all customer premises in the region, and promised to create an unfriendly environment for all customers who want to engage in illegal connections.
“We regard persons who engage in illegalities as thieves who steal power from us and deny us revenue. We are, therefore, leaving no stone unturned to identify such criminals and root them out,” he said.
Some forms of illegality that were identified during the pilot exercise included direct service connections, meter bypass, meter tampering, and unauthorised service connections.
The Accra West region of ECG has eight operational districts. These are Ablekuma, Achimota, Amasaman, Bortianor, Dansoman, Kaneshie, Korle-bu and Nsawam.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s national consumption of petroleum products increased to 6,459,000,000 liters in 2024, up from 5,496,000,000 liters in 2023, according to the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) 2024 Annual Report.
This represents a 17.53% increase.
The transport sector emerged as the highest consumer of petroleum products, followed by industry, residential, agricultural, and service sectors.
Gasoline was the most consumed petroleum product in 2024, accounting for 49.35% of total national consumption, followed by diesel, which represented 36.11%.
Gasoil contributed 5.65%, while LPG (Butane) accounted for 5.27% of overall consumption.
The report noted significant fluctuations in petroleum products consumption between 2023 and 2024. Gasoline consumption increased by 15.72%, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) rose by 7.25%, and premix recorded a 12.29% growth. In contrast, kerosene experienced a significant decline of 31.17%.
Gasoline remained the primary fuel for transportation, particularly in the private and small-scale public transport sectors. The report attributed the rising gasoline consumption to the dominance of petro-powered vehicles, which accounted for 75% of registered vehicles in Ghana by the end of 2024.
Regarding fuel standards, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) reviewed the national standard for gasoline, reducing the maximum allowable manganese levels in regular gasoline from 18mg/L to ensure higher fuel quality for consumers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Five African countries have tapped into Kenya Electricity Generating Company’s (KenGen) technological expertise and decades-old experience in geothermal exploration to assist them in harnessing and transitioning to green energy, the Kenya News Agency has reported, quoting KenGen Managing Director.
The move is in line with commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement (2015), which seeks to enable countries to reduce their carbon emissions footprints, limit global temperatures to below 2 ‘Celsius and reverse climate-induced calamities.
KenGen years of geothermal exploration have seen Kenya lead its African peers by generating 754 MW of geothermal power with plans to double it to 1,500 MW by 2034.
The remarkable achievement has seen Tanzania, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Zambia and E-Swatini tap its expertise to accelerate their transition to green energy power sources, especially geothermal power.
According to the Managing Director of KenGen Eng. Peter Njenga, his outfit has been awarded exploration rights in Zambia and Tanzania while drilling is ongoing in Ethiopia, Djibouti and E-Swatini.
Dr. Njenga said KenGen will deploy its technological support and decade’s old expertise to assist the individual countries transition to clean energy sources following Kenya’s remarkable footsteps.
Speaking in Naivasha, Njenga said the company is on course in rehabilitation of the old Olkaria 1 power plant which once complete will see it increase its power generation from the current 45MW to 63MW.
“The rehabilitation of the old Olkaria 1 power plant is 50 percent complete and it aims to add 18 MW more to our national grid from current 45 MW to 63 MW by 2026,” said Njenga.
Njenga said KenGen supplies 60 percent of Kenya electricity needs every day adding that the company is committed to expand its wings to meet the growing demand for steady power supply for households and industries.
In addition, Njenga said that KenGen is seeking funding from investors to realize its 10-year strategic plan (2024-2035) which aims to increase green energy power generation to 1,500 MW and ensure the country’s energy mix is 100 percent green.
Njenga said with only 1,000 MW of geothermal energy power being tapped out of the 10,000 MW potential, KenGen will partner with other agencies, including Geothermal Development Company (GDC) to explore more sources in Menengai, Suswa, and Eburru among others to achieve the ambitious targets.
The MD said the company’s Green Energy Park at Olkaria in Naivasha that aims to power industrial large-scale development has attracted 10 investor bids where they access steady, more reliable, cheaper green energy to drive their operations.
He said the 342-hectare park has already been launched with the government breaking ground for the construction of sh100B data centre by Konza Technopolis and Microsoft, running on 100 percent geothermal energy.
Currently, the country’s energy installed capacity stands at 1726 MW, consisting of 754MW of geothermal, 826MW hydro, 120MW thermal and 25 MW wind.
On the transition to tapping clean energy use and reducing carbon emissions footprints in the environment, KenGen has also started plans of changing its fuel-driven fleet to green-powered ones.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Gas Company, Judith Adjobah Blay, has urged management to support her plans to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
Speaking at her first face-to-face meeting with management at the Operational Headquarters of Ghana Gas at Alabokazo in the Western Region, Madam Blay emphasized the need to cut costs without compromising essential operations like maintenance.
“I will not cut cost when it’s for maintenance or where my managers advise I don’t go there, but there are some places that I know that we waste a lot and I think that together, we can commit to that crusade of cutting down on some of these wastage so that we make Ghana Gas sustainable.
“We are hoping that there would be more production so that our gas inflows would considerably increase but we should know that the resource is finite and that is where the cost cutting comes in.
“This is because we have to think about how to sustain our business so that we can enjoy. We have to tighten up small or suffer small so that in the future, we can pay ourselves the salaries or even better,“ said Madam Blay, according to citinewsroom.com.
The first female CEO of the Ghana National Gas Company, while expressing her belief in the competences of the managers and her readiness to work with them, further urged her management members not to let their loyalty be to her but Ghana Gas and Ghana for the sake of the company.
“I’m happy to be here to lead you, but you need to let your loyalty be to Ghana Gas and not to me, because my position is transient. I will be gone tomorrow, so if you let your loyalty be for me, what happens after I’m gone? So let your loyalty be to the company that pays you and not me. When you are at the plant working, work as your life depends on Ghana Gas and not me“, she emphasized.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – serving as the voice of the African energy sector – strongly supports the successful closing of the first tranche of external financing for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.
This milestone represents a crucial step in unlocking the region’s oil export potential, accelerating economic growth and ensuring energy security for East Africa.
The AEC commends EACOP Ltd. and its financial partners, including Afreximbank, Standard Bank of South Africa, Stanbic Bank Uganda, KCB Bank Uganda and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, for demonstrating confidence in the future of East African energy markets.
The successful securing of financing underscores the critical role that private sector investments and regional banking institutions play in driving large-scale energy infrastructure projects.
By mobilizing significant financial resources, this achievement reflects growing investor confidence in East Africa’s oil and gas sector and the commitment to advancing infrastructure projects that will create jobs, boost local industry participation and support economic transformation across the region.
The AEC encourages further engagement from financial institutions to sustain momentum in delivering this game-changing project.
Once completed, the EACOP will serve as a vital conduit for Uganda’s crude oil exports, strengthening the country’s position as a competitive oil producer while creating new opportunities for Tanzania and the broader region.
With a capacity of 246,000 barrels per day, the 1,443-km pipeline is set to become the longest heated crude oil pipeline in the world, adhering to the highest environmental and social standards.
The AEC recognizes the project’s potential to catalyze additional energy investments and infrastructure development, contributing to a more integrated and prosperous East African energy landscape.
“The successful financing of EACOP is a clear testament to the confidence that investors and financial institutions have in Africa’s energy future. This project is a game-changer for East Africa, and we will continue to support initiatives that drive sustainable energy development across the continent,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
The Chamber reaffirms its commitment to advocating for investment-friendly policies that enable projects like EACOP to thrive. As East Africa moves toward first oil production, we call on all stakeholders – including governments, investors and development partners – to continue fostering an enabling environment that supports long-term energy security, industrialization and sustainable economic growth.
The AEC stands ready to collaborate with industry players to ensure that Africa’s energy resources deliver maximum benefits for its people.
Source: Energy Chamber
Russian engineers have successfully completed one of the most critical stages in the construction of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant — the final welding of the reactor pressure vessel for Unit 1 of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant (NPP).
The work was carried out at the Izhora Plant in St. Petersburg, a key facility of Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering Division.
The welding process took ten days to complete, with the joint area maintained under constant heat throughout, according to a statement issued by Rosatom.
Approximately two tons of flux and over 1.5 tons of specialized welding wire were utilized to join the massive components of the VVER-1200 reactor vessel.
With the welding now complete, the vessel will undergo heat treatment, followed by comprehensive inspections – including X-ray, ultrasonic, and penetrant testing – to ensure it meets the highest safety and durability standards. This rigorous quality control is crucial for a reactor designed to operate safely for a minimum of six decades.
The El Dabaa NPP will consist of four power units, 1200 MW each, with pressurised water reactors of Russian class VVER-1200.
This is an evolutionary design which fully complies with all international safety requirements and has the potential to modify the energy landscape of the entire African continent.
Russia is actively developing scientific and technical cooperation with all interested countries.
The implementation of major international projects also continues. Rosatom and its divisions take an active part in this work.
One such project is the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey.
The plant will feature four power units equipped with Generation 3+ VVER reactors of Russian design, each with a capacity of 1200 MW.
Akkuyu NPP is the first project in the global nuclear industry being implemented according to the Build-Own-Operate model. Earlier this year, the first standby diesel power plant at Unit 1 was successfully launched — a key safety system designed to provide autonomous power to the unit’s core infrastructure in the event of a main supply shutdown.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Acting Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., says in its bid to implement the 24-hour economy in the petroleum sector, the NPA will collaborate with various security agencies to ensure the safety of consumers and personnel at fuel stations across the country.
Speaking at a special meeting with the Eastern Regional Minister, regional security heads, and key stakeholders at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council RCC, in Koforidua on Wednesday, Mr. Tameklo emphasized the importance of strict regulation and enforcement to protect the petroleum downstream industry from criminal activities.
He said the petroleum sector was highly susceptible to criminal activities, including fuel smuggling, illegal siphoning, and fraudulent transactions.
The NPA Boss noted that fuel was a legitimate but highly valuable commodity, making it a target for illicit activities.
“We needed the active involvement of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), alongside the NPA’s intelligence unit and other security agencies like the Police, Customs, and Fire Service to combat all forms of fuel-related crimes,” he said.
Mr. Tameklo hinted at the NPA’s future plans to take the security agencies through specialized training programs to enhance their capacity in tackling petroleum-related offenses. He indicated that the government’s plan to roll out a 24-hour economy could only be successful if the security and safety of consumers and petroleum workers were assured.
“Petroleum is a hazardous product, and we cannot afford to overlook safety concerns.”
“The NPA worked closely with the Fire Service and other security agencies to ensure the highest levels of safety and security,” he emphasized.
The call by the NPA Boss for security collaboration was crucial given the vulnerability of some filling stations during the closing periods of the night.
Earlier this month, it was reported that masked armed robbers had attacked the Kansaworodo branch of the Total fuel station in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region at dawn.
Fortunately, the keys to the safe were with the manager, who was not at the premises at the time of the incident, and so the robbers could not get their booty.
Godwin Edudzi Tameklo Esq., Acting Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Authority, NPA.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Ms. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, pledged the support of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).
She assured the Authority of her full cooperation in ensuring that the NPA’s efforts to ensure safety and compliance with regulations in the petroleum sector were successful in the Eastern Region.
She also proposed integrating the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) into the NPA’s operations across all regions to strengthen security and enhance collaboration. She commended the NPA’s commitment to consumer protection and regulatory enforcement.
The meeting concluded with a call for deeper collaboration between the NPA, security agencies, and regional authorities to strengthen safety, enforcement, and regulatory compliance in the petroleum industry.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s Energy Commission, the regulator for electricity and natural gas is set to revolutionize the certification process for electricians by introducing a mobile app to replace traditional paper documentation.
This move is aimed at enhancing efficiency, safety, and transparency in the electrical industry.
Effective June 1, 2025, electricians will use the mobile app to certify their work, marking a significant shift away from paper-based documentation.
The Director for Electricity and Natural Gas at the Energy Commission, Mr. Anthony C. Bleboo, revealed at the 22nd award ceremony for Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals in Accra on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, that the Installation Completion Certificate Mobile App (ICCAPP) will streamline the certification process, reduce costs, and increase accessibility.
The new mobile app, Installation Completion Certificate Mobile App (ICCAPP), will revolutionize the way the Energy Commission tracks and monitors electrical work in Ghana.
By utilizing this app, the Commission will be able to ensure compliance with safety standards more effectively, promoting a safer and more efficient electrical industry.
ICCAPP replaces the traditional paper-based documentation, streamlining the process for electricians, inspectors, and facility owners.
With the App, electricians can input wiring details, choose an inspector, and submit completion certificates. The app generates a unique token, accessible to authorized personnel, ensuring secure and reliable data storage.
Mr. Bleboo revealed that the ICCAPP mobile app has gained significant traction since its pilot launch in November 2024, with around 21,000 practitioners embracing the platform, demonstrating its potential to transform the electrical industry
“This significant uptake demonstrates the strong adoption and effectiveness of the ICCAPP system,’’ he said.
“Building on this success, we’re now poised for full implementation. Starting June 1, 2025, facility owners will no longer need to submit paper-based Installation Completion Certificates to distribution utilities for electricity network connection. Instead, they’ll use the token generated by ICCAPP,” he concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghanaian parliamentarians have approved a GH¢1.2 billion allocation for the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition for the 2025 fiscal year. This funding aims to support initiatives enhancing electricity distribution and fostering a sustainable energy future.
As part of the Ministry’s 2025 objectives, one million smart meters will be procured and installed in key operational areas under the Programme for Results policy. This move is expected to improve efficiency and service delivery within the electricity distribution sector.
The Ministry also plans to encourage private sector participation, bringing in new expertise and investments to further enhance the sector. The Accra-Kumasi transmission line project is set to begin, improving the reliability of power supply between the two major cities.
In line with Ghana’s goal of achieving net-zero energy-related carbon emissions by 2060, the Government Goes Solar project will be implemented to promote clean, sustainable energy solutions.
This initiative supports the country’s Energy Transition Framework, focusing on deploying low-carbon solutions across key sectors.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa’s Minister for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced that the country requires an investment of over R60 billion(equivalent of $3,287,268,000) to enhance its nuclear program at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation.
According to him, R1.2 billion($65,745,360) has been allocated in the current budget to fund the project outside Pretoria.
“We need to invest in a new multipurpose reactor. I’ve made the point that we have made the case to cabinet. In the current budget, R1.2 billion in the medium term has been allocated to ensure that we support them. But you need something upwards of R60 billion to achieve the kind of ambition that you want.
“So that’s why it’s important that we begin to think creatively about how we can partner with the private sector whilst retaining ownership of this technology,” said Ramokgopa while speaking at the 60th anniversary of the country’s first nuclear reactor SAFARI 1.
This development is part of South Africa’s efforts to revitalize its nuclear program, which has been ongoing since the 1960s.
South Africa’s nuclear program includes both nuclear energy and nuclear medicine, with the country maintaining two pressurized water reactors commissioned in 1984 and 1985.
The Koeberg nuclear power station, located near Cape Town, is the only commercial nuclear power station in Africa.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya expects to launch an oil and gas exploration round for 10 blocks in September, Opiyo Wandayi, the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary of the East African country, has said.
“This presents a unique opportunity for investors to explore Kenya’s hydrocarbon potential through a transparent and merit-based process,” Wandayi was quoted as saying by local outlet The Star.
The Kenyan government has renewed its efforts to launch an oil and gas industry and is offering tax incentives, among other incentives, the cabinet secretary said at the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Kenya is also investing in infrastructure to support oil and gas exploration and development, the official noted.
The East African country has oil and gas resources, but development has stalled after UK-listed Tullow Oil failed to secure investor partners for a major oil project that has been years in the making.
Tullow Oil and its minority partners sought to develop the South Lokichar project for years.
However, French supermajor TotalEnergies and London-listed Africa Oil decided two years ago to withdraw from the project in Kenya, leaving Tullow Oil the sole owner of the blocks and further complicating Kenya’s oil dream.
Plans have been made for the development of the oil fields discovered in the South–Lokichar Basin in Kenya’s north. The partners had sought to secure financing for a pipeline to ship the crude out of the landlocked northern region.
However, Tullow Oil has failed to secure investors to back the Lokichar Basin development and the commercialization of the crude, further delaying Kenya’s dream to become a petroleum-exporting nation.
The government earlier this month restructured its petroleum exploration blocks to align with global best practices and its legal frameworks, which enabled Kenya to identify ten highly prospective blocks, selected based on geological and scientific data.
Source: oilprice.com
The Acting Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Esq., has continued his nationwide familiarisation tour with a visit to the Eastern Region.
During his visit on Tuesday, March 25, 2024, Mr Tameklo engaged in meaningful discussions with the Regional Security Council, chaired by the Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.
Godwin Edudzi Tameklo Esq., Acting Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Authority, NPA.
Together, they explored strategies to enhance collaboration among the Authority’s key stakeholders in the Region.
Mr Tameklo emphasised the importance of support from the heads of the security agencies in tackling the challenges posed by illicit fuel activities.
He recognised their vital contributions to ensuring smooth operations across the region.
Following this, he visited the Regional Office of the NPA, where he met with the staff.
This visit is part of Mr Tameklo’s efforts to familiarise himself with the Authority’s operations and engage with stakeholders across the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com