Ghana: Sunon Asogli Power Plant Resumes Operations
Ghana’s largest Independent Power Producer (IPP), Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Limited, has resumed operations after shutting down for more than a month in protest against the indebtedness of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to the tune of US$259 million.
Sources from the company told this portal that a reasonable amount of the debt was paid earlier today, Monday, November 25, 2024, hence the decision to restart the plant.
Energy News Africa’s sources could not reveal the exact amount that was paid.
Asogli Power Ghana Limited operates 560MW combined-circled plant and it is one of the most efficient and reliable plant.
The shutdown of Asogli Power Plant reduced power generation, thereby necessitating load shedding by ECG.
Although there was no official statement of load shedding exercise being implemented, several places across the West African nation experienced power outages from 6 p.m. through to midnight almost every week.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: ECG Completes Meter Upgrading Exercise; Urges Customers Having Difficulties To Reach Out
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has appealed to customers using the Nuri Prepaid Meters who have not been able to upgrade their meters or having difficulties topping up to reach out to them.
The Company commenced an upgrading of its standard transfer specifications system (STS) metering system, including the Nuri Prepathe payment system, last week,
A public notice issued by the ECG said the exercise would be completed by Sunday, November 24, 2024.
According to the ECG, the upgrading was crucial to ensure uninterrupted vending services for customers.
“This is a crucially mandatory STS upgrade designed to ensure uninterrupted vending service,” ECG stated.
In a public announcement issued on Sunday, November 24, the ECG thanked its cherished Nuri customers for their support and cooperation during the upgrading exercise.
“Nuri customers who could not upgrade their meters or may have difficulties topping up credit should call our Contact Centre on 0302-611611 or our Social media platforms @ECGghOfficial or visit the closest ECG District Office for assistance,” the notice said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Trump Plans Major Boost To U.S. Oil Drilling And LNG Exports
The transition team of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump is drafting an energy package to expand domestic oil and gas drilling on federal lands and offshore lease sales, in addition to expediting LNG export permits, Reuters reported on Monday, citing sources with knowledge of the plans.
President-elect Trump has vowed on the campaign trail to support the oil, gas, and coal industries and repeal some of President Biden’s environmental-oriented measures, including a pause on new LNG permitting and the minimum possible offshore oil and gas lease sales mandated by Congress.
Energy is expected to be at the top of the list of priorities for the new administration, with some measures likely to be taken on day one, or soon after, according to Reuters’s sources.
The new Trump Administration will lift the pause on LNG export permits, accelerate permitting for drilling on federal lands and in federal waters, and offer lease sales more frequently.
Trump is also expected to seek new Congress funding to build up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), which was drained in half as the Biden Administration released crude from the reserve to curb the oil price spike following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The new administration is also likely to pressure the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) to re-focus on its core mission to ensure adequate oil supply, rather than advocate for net-zero and emission reductions as it has done over the past couple of years.
“The American people can bank on President Trump using his executive power on day one to deliver on the promises he made to them on the campaign trail,” Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, said in a statement carried by Reuters.
In a sign of what the energy industry can expect, Trump earlier this month picked a shale boss, Chris Wright, chief executive of Liberty Energy, as his nomination to lead the Department of Energy.
Wright is a vocal critic of the energy transition as envisaged by most Western governments to date, instead calling for energy realism and prioritizing the supply security and affordability of energy rather than its emission footprint.
Source: Oilprice.com
Ghana: Springfield E&P To Announce Appraisal Result Today
Springfield E&P, a wholly-owned Ghanaian upstream petroleum play, will this afternoon, officially announce the result of its appraisal of Afina -1x block located offshore, WCTP-2, which began last month.
This portal cannot confirm whether the result is favorable or not.
Officials of Springfield E&P will address a section of the Ghanaian press to announce the result.
The appraisal was carried out by Deepsea Bollsta Rig from Northern Ocean Limited (NOL).
The appraisal follows a ruling by an International Court of Arbitration that Springfield should do further work to ascertain whether it is legally proper for Springfield and Eni to unitize their oil blocks.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Developing Nations Blast $300 Billion COP29 Climate Deal As Insufficient
Countries at the COP29 summit in Baku adopted a $300 billion a year global finance target on Sunday to help poorer nations cope with impacts of climate change, a deal its intended recipients criticised as woefully insufficient.
The agreement, clinched in overtime at the two-week conference in Azerbaijan’s capital, was meant to provide momentum for international efforts to curb global warming in a year destined to be the hottest on record.
Some delegates gave the deal a standing ovation in the COP29 plenary hall. Others lambasted wealthy nations for not doing more and criticised the Azerbaijan host for hurriedly gavelling through the contentious plan.
“I regret to say that this document is nothing more than an optical illusion,” Indian delegation representative Chandni Raina told the closing session of the summit, minutes after the deal was gavelled in. “This, in our opinion, will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face. Therefore, we oppose the adoption of this document.”
United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell acknowledged the difficult negotiations that led to the agreement but hailed the outcome as an insurance policy for humanity against global warming.
“It has been a difficult journey, but we’ve delivered a deal,” Stiell said. “This deal will keep the clean energy boom growing and protect billions of lives.
“But like any insurance policy, it only works if the premiums are paid in full, and on time.”
The agreement would provide $300 billion annually by 2035, boosting rich countries’ previous commitment to provide $100 billion per year in climate finance by 2020. That earlier goal was met two years late, in 2022, and expires in 2025.
The deal also lays the groundwork for next year’s climate summit, to be held in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, where countries are meant to map out the next decade of climate action.
The summit cut to the heart of the debate over financial responsibility of industrialised countries – whose historic use of fossil fuels has caused the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions – to compensate others for worsening damage from climate change.
It also laid bare divisions between wealthy governments constrained by tight domestic budgets and developing nations reeling from costs of storms, floods and droughts.
Negotiations had been due to finish on Friday but ran into overtime as representatives from nearly 200 countries struggled to reach consensus. Talks were interrupted on Saturday as some developing countries and island nations walked away in frustration.
“We are leaving with a small portion of the funding climate-vulnerable countries urgently need. It isn’t nearly enough, but it’s a start,” said Tina Stege, Marshall Islands climate envoy.
Nations have been seeking financing to deliver on the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels – beyond which catastrophic climate impacts could occur.
The world is currently on track for as much as 3.1 C (5.6 F) of warming by the end of this century, according to the 2024 U.N. Emissions Gap report, with global greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuels use continuing to rise.
Sunday’s deal failed to set out detailed steps for how countries will act on last year’s U.N. climate summit pledge to transition away from fossil fuels and triple renewable energy capacity this decade. Some negotiators said Saudi Arabia had attempted to block such a plan during the talks.
“There’s definitely a challenge in getting greater ambition when you’re negotiating with the Saudis,” said U.S. climate adviser John Podesta.
A Saudi official did not immediately provide comment.
What Counts As Developed Nation?
The roster of countries required to contribute – about two dozen industrialised countries, including the U.S., European nations and Canada – dates back to a list decided during U.N. climate talks in 1992.
European governments have demanded others pay in, including China, the world’s second-biggest economy, and oil-rich Gulf states. The deal encourages developing countries to make contributions but does not require them.
The agreement includes a broader goal of raising $1.3 trillion in climate finance annually by 2035 – which would include funding from all public and private sources and which economists say matches the sum needed to address global warming.
Countries also agreed on rules for a global market to buy and sell carbon credits that proponents say could mobilize billions more dollars into new projects to fight global warming, from reforestation to deployment of clean energy technologies.
Securing the climate finance deal was a challenge from the start.
Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election victory this month has raised doubts among some negotiators that the world’s largest economy would pay into any climate finance goal agreed in Baku. Trump, a Republican who takes office in January, has called climate change a hoax and promised to again remove the U.S. from international climate cooperation.
President Joe Biden congratulated the COP29 participants for reaching what he called an historic agreement that would help mobilise needed funds, but said more work was needed.
“While there is still substantial work ahead of us to achieve our climate goals, today’s outcome puts us one significant step closer. On behalf of the American people and future generations, we must continue to accelerate our work to keep a cleaner, safer, healthier planet within our grasp,” Biden said in a statement.
Western governments have seen global warming slip down the list of national priorities amid surging geopolitical tensions, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and expanding conflict in the Middle East, and rising inflation.
The showdown over financing for developing countries comes in a year scientists predict will be the hottest on record. Climate woes are stacking up, with widespread flooding killing thousands across Africa, deadly landslides burying villages in Asia, and drought in South America shrinking rivers.
Developed countries have not been spared. Torrential rain triggered floods in Valencia, Spain, last month that left more than 200 dead, and the U.S. so far this year has registered 24 billion-dollar disasters – just four fewer than last year.
Source: Reuters.com
Zambia: ZESCO’s System Disturbances Cause Nationwide Power outage
Zambians were thrown into darkness on Sunday night after a power system disturbances that occurred at about 20:15 hours.
A statement issued and signed by Eng Justin Loongo, the Acting Managing Director of ZESCO Limited, which confirmed the incident, did not reveal the exact issue.
He, however, said the Corporation is working diligently to resolve the unplanned outage and power supply restoration is underway.
“ZESCO will keep the country updated of this unforeseen development. We regret the unplanned loss of supply and seek our customers’ support and patience,” he said.
The southern African nation is experiencing power crisis as a result of severe drought that affected inflow into the Kariba Dam, which is the main hydroelectric power generation dam that supplies power in the country.
The country, recently, took decision to increase electricity tariff in order to import power to shore up domestic generation.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: BOST Supports Asuogyaman, Akosombo Schools With Educational Materials
Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation Company (BEST), formerly known as BOST, has distributed over 11,000 exercise books and supplementary reading materials to six basic schools in Akosombo, and Asuogyaman schools in the Eastern Region of Ghana
The beneficiary schools include Atimpoku RC Basic School and Atimpoku L/A Junior High School.
The initiative is part of BOST’s nationwide corporate social responsibility (CSR) to support education in the communities impacted by its operations, with a total of 100,000 learning materials planned for distribution.
The programme also aligns with the company’s Sustainable Development Goal ‘4’, which aims to promote equitable and quality education.
BOST has offered a scholarship worth GH₵1.5 million to 50 students at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), covering tuition, laptops and stipends.
Mr Yaw Dadzie, the Manager in charge of CSR who presented the learning materials on behalf of the Managing Director, Dr Edwin Provençal, disclosed that the company is also offering environmental sustainability measures through tree planting to reduce its carbon footprint.
In a brief remark after the donation, headteachers of the beneficiary schools observed that teaching and learning go with assessment but said a key challenge among the schools in the catchment area is that some of the pupils do not have exercise books.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: WAPCo Begins Mandatory Gas Pipeline Cleaning And Inspection
The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has announced a plan to begin cleaning and inspection of its gas transportation pipeline that runs from Itoki, Ogun State in Nigeria, through Benin, Togo and Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana.
The exercise would be undertaken in two-phases, with the first phase which begins on Monday 25 November, involving the cleaning and inspection of the onshore section of the pipeline which is located within Nigeria.
A statement issued by WAPCo noted that this first phase is scheduled to last for ten days.
The second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in January 2025, the company explained.
“This involves the cleaning and inspection of the main section of the pipeline, which is offshore, stretching from Badagry in the Lagos State, Nigeria, to Takoradi, in the Western Region of Ghana,” the statement said.
This will also necessitate the shutdown of key facilities in Tema, Ghana; Lomé, Togo; and Cotonou, Benin.
Also, WAPCo will replace subsea valves located at these strategic locations to enhance operational safety.
According to WAPCo, the comprehensive cleaning and inspection exercise is a key maintenance and regulatory requirement to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the pipeline.
The exercise aligns with industry best practices, and it is part of WAPCo’s ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the WAGP and ensure its continued safe and reliable operation across the West African region.
WAPCo has engaged relevant stakeholders ahead of this exercise and does not anticipate any major disruption to gas transportation services to customers.
During the offshore cleaning and inspection period in 2025, WAPCo will temporarily suspend reverse flow transportation of gas from the Western Region of Ghana to Tema, Ghana.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Thirteen Arrested For Illegal Soil Excavation On Right Of Way Of TCN Network
Nigeria’s power transmission company, TCN, has apprehended thirteen individuals involved in illegal soil excavation near the bases of its transmission towers along the 330kV Benin-Onitsha transmission lines.
The suspects were arrested on November 21, 2024, by TCN linesmen from the Benin Region, in collaboration with officials from the Department of State Services (DSS).
A statement issued by TCN said the arrested individuals would be charged in court.
TCN urged the public to avoid any soil excavation activities along the transmission line Right of Way, especially around tower bases.
“Such actions can weaken the tower foundations, cause severe erosion and compromise the stability of the towers, potentially leading to their collapse,” TCN said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Tanzanian Energy Regulators Understudy NPA’s Operations
Tanzanian delegation from the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority is in Ghana to understudy the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) operations, especially the implementation of electronic systems for monitoring the movements of petroleum products in the West African nation.
The delegation is to study the use of electronic tracking systems for road tankers, automatic tank gauges at the depots, the Enterprise Relational Database Management System (ERDMS) and the Command Centre.
The delegation is led by the Tanzanian Director of Petroleum, Mr Gerald Maganga, with Kemilembe Kafanabo, Petroleum Supply Manager; Mtumwa Simba, ICT Manager, and Robert Kabwogi, Senior ICT Officer as members.
Welcoming the delegation at the NPA on Tuesday, the NPA’s Chief Executive, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, said the UPPF was an important intervention that had ensured uniformity of petroleum products.
He said the UPPF implementation had ensured that the transportation cost of fuel was not factored in the pricing regime, which had ensured that fuel products were sold at the same prices by respective OMCs in all the sixteen regions of Ghana.
The NPA Boss expressed the willingness of the Authority to share its knowledge with the Tanzanian delegation.
He stressed the need for African countries to increase partnerships to propel the socio-economic development of the continent.
In his remarks, Mr Gerald Maganga said the delegation was ready to learn from the NPA and replicate the best practices in Tanzanian to ensure efficiency in the energy sector.
He thanked the NPA for the warm reception and recalled a similar learning opportunity offered to the team during its last visit to the Authority in April 2024.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Nigeria: Woes Of TCN Deepen As Vandals Attack Its Power Transmission Infrastructure
Despite continuous appeal by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to vandals to stop attacking its power transmission infrastructure in order to guarantee reliable electricity supply to a little over half of the 210 million population that have access to grid connected power, it appears the appeals have fallen on deaf ears.
While officials of TCN are yet to be healed from the emotional torture they are going through at the hands of Nigerians who feel they are not up to task in guaranteeing them reliable and stable power supply, the power transmission company has reported yet another attack on its Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line, which is currently under repair due to previous vandalism.
The Public Affairs Manager of TCN, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, confirmed the latest attack in a statement issued on Friday, November 22, 2024.
According to her, the attack by the vandals occurred on November 19, 2024.
The attack affected towers 29 to 31 and this resulted in the theft of approximately one-third of the conductor.
Ndidi Mbah said a team of TCN engineers, led by Engr. Emmanuel Akpa, General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, conducted an inspection of the site noting that preliminary findings indicated that the incident occurred at night.
“In an attempt to prevent further theft while repair arrangements are being made, local security has been engaged at Ula Ikata in Ahoada East LGA to secure the site until repairs are completed. Additionally, the line will be energised from the Ahoada end as a preventive measure.
“Efforts to replace the stolen 250mm conductor are currently underway. Despite challenges posed by difficult terrain and flooding, the restringing of the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line is approximately 85% complete,” she said.
Earlier in November, vandals also attacked transmission towers in the Okada and Ofosu communities along the 330kV Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho transmission lines. A total of 31 towers were affected in this incident.
The vandalised towers which suffered significant damage, with critical components removed, were discovered by TCN linesmen during a routine patrol.
TCN engineers from the Benin sub-region have initiated repairs to prevent the collapse of the affected towers and to avoid disruption of bulk power supply.
These incidents underscore the urgent need to combat the growing problem of vandalism and theft affecting Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
TCN called on the public to support efforts to address these crimes, which have significantly hampered the expansion and stability of the national grid.
As TCN intensifies its efforts to protect installations, we appeal to security operatives and local communities to be more vigilant in safeguarding power infrastructure in their areas.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Mainstream Foundation Rehabilitates Madaki School In Zungeru
Mainstream Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Nigeria Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, has inaugurated the newly renovated and equipped Madaki Primary School in Zungeru.
This maiden intervention project showcases the Foundation’s determination to revolutionize the socio-economic landscape of the community after the takeover of operations at the hydropower plant.
The Madaki Primary School was built in 1990 and like many public primary schools had been plagued by infrastructural decay, but Mainstream Foundation’s intervention has breathed new life into it.
At the inauguration ceremony, dignitaries including representatives of the Emir of Kagara, the Emir of Minna and the Local Government Chairman of Wushishi were present to witness the transformative work carried out on the school.
A statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Adebola, quoted the Chairman, Board of Directors for Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, Col Sani Bello (RTD), emphasising the importance of education in shaping the future of children.
He quoted the Chairman as stating that “times are changing, and only the educated can take part in changing the future,” Col Bello urged the stakeholders to ensure children remain in school.
The Executive Secretary of Mainstream Foundation, Mr Siraj Abdullah, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to community development, stating; “We want to assure the Chairman and the people of the community, that this work given to us will not stop until it is achieved.”
He stated this while taking time to thank the civil project team of the Foundation, acknowledging the hard work put into making the inauguration a reality.
Mainstream Foundation’s intervention in the school extends beyond improving the infrastructure and providing furniture as the teachers have also been earmarked for training to provide holistic teaching and learning improvement.
This approach underscores the Foundation’s dedication to creating a lasting impact.
As Mainstream Foundation continues to transform the landscape of Zungeru, its focus on education, environment, health and community empowerment serves as a shining example of responsible corporate citizenship.
With projects like Madaki Primary School, the Foundation is rewriting the narrative of community development in that geographic corridor.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Kenya: President William Ruto Orders Cancellation Of Airport, Power Deals With Adani Group After US Corruption Charges
Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered the cancellation of a procurement process that was expected to award the control of the country’s main airport to India’s Adani Group after its founder was indicted in the United States.
Under the proposed deal to expand the main Nairobi Airport, Adani was to add a second runway at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and upgrade the passenger terminal.
“I have directed agencies within the Ministry of Transport and within the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement,” Ruto said in his State of the Nation Address, attributing the decision to “new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations”.
An Adani Group firm signed a 30-year, $736-million public-private partnership deal with the Energy Ministry last month to construct power transmission lines in a separate project.
Kenya’s Energy Minister, Opiyo Wandayi, said on Thursday that there was no bribery or corruption involved in the award of the transmission lines contract.
Ruto’s announcement was met by applause from lawmakers present in parliament where he gave his address.
Representatives from Adani Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. authorities alleged on Wednesday that Adani Group founder Gautam Adani, one of the world’s richest people, and seven other defendants, had agreed to pay about $265 million in bribes to Indian state government officials for getting projects.
The Adani Group denied the allegations and said in a statement that it would seek “all possible legal recourse.”
The airport proposal was made public in July, after it was leaked on social media four months after it was made.
In September, a Kenyan court temporarily blocked a proposed airport lease deal, which would have run for 30 years in exchange for expanding it.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Benin Unveils Ambitious Climate Action Framework At COP29 To Drive Green Transition And Sustainable Development
The Government of Benin, in collaboration with international financial institutions and development partners, has launched (on 15 November) an ambitious climate action framework to accelerate the country’s green transition and support sustainable development.
Unveiled at this year’s United Nations Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, several new initiatives encompass a carbon monetization mechanism, innovative credit instruments, a common policy matrix, and advanced financing strategies. These efforts underscore Benin’s commitment to unlocking climate finance for transformative impact.
This multifaceted framework is designed to mobilize both public and private sector resources to address Benin’s climate adaptation and mitigation priorities, supporting the nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) while preserving debt sustainability.
Romuald Wadagni, Senior Minister at the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Benin stated: “With strong support from our partners, Benin is translating climate goals into concrete action…Leveraging our experience in international capital markets, like our 2021 SDG bond framework, we aim to unlock private investment to drive climate action. By harnessing innovative financing, we are transforming our ambitions into concrete results that will advance adaptation and mitigation efforts.”
He added: “It is a commitment to a sustainable, resilient future that will resonate beyond Benin’s borders for the greater benefit of our planet.”
Benin has a proven track record in climate policy and financing, supported by $1.4 billion from the World Bank Group’s International Development Association (IDA) and an additional $200 million from the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
These financial commitments, alongside a €195 million partial credit guarantee from the African Development Bank, lay the foundation for Benin’s pathway towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
In a joint Climate Finance Roundtable co-convened by the IMF and the World Bank Group in July 2024, the Government of Benin and its development partners expressed full commitment to reinforcing Benin’s efforts in addressing climate change by supporting the country in establishing a climate finance country platform through further catalyzing financial resources.
The estimated financing gap to achieve the goals set in Benin’s NDCs is about $10 billion by 2030. Following this roundtable, the partners have been working on financing options and technical assistance to boost Benin’s efforts to enhance its climate action.
Key Climate Action Streams:
- Carbon Monetization Mechanism with Enhanced Credit Instruments
- Enhanced Budget Support through a Common Policy Matrix
- Attracting Private Investment through Innovative Financing
- Establishing a One-Stop Window for Local Financial Access