Congo: AfDB And Congo Sign Deals To Improve Access To Electricity
The African Development Bank and the Republic of the Congo have signed two grant agreements totaling $1.5 million to strengthen the country’s energy sector and improve people’s access to electricity and reduce the country’s energy deficit.
The first grant, of $585,000 mobilized from the Middle Income Country Technical Assistance Fund, would help fund development studies for hydroelectric dams.
The aim is to facilitate the future development of hydroelectric infrastructure at the Mbanza Ndounga in the south of the country and Linzolo – 20 km to the south of the capital, Brazzaville – sites to increase electricity production capacity and promote energy self-sufficiency.
The second grant of $995,000 – mobilized from resources from the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Trust Fund (KOAFEC) – would be used to fund the feasibility study and detailed design of transmission lines between Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville, and between Loudima and Djambala.
The agreements were signed in Brazzaville on 26 February 2025 by Solomane Koné, the Bank Group’s acting Director General for the Central Africa region, and Ludovic Ngatse, Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Integration and the Bank’s governor for Congo.
“These agreements are a sign of the close relationship that the government maintains with the African Development Bank for the development of Congo. The various studies would accompany the implementation of Congo’s strategy in terms of the electrification of its urban centres but also its rural areas, the aim being to work towards universal access to electricity for the whole of the Congolese population,” said Ngatse.
These grants would be used to prepare core, short-term investment projects, which will allow Congo to achieve its objectives in terms of access to energy in alignment with “Mission 300”, an initiative between the African Development Bank and the World Bank aimed at supplying electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030.
“For the last decade, the African Development Bank Group has been developing significant initiatives and global partnerships to densify investments in the energy sector by involving different actors.
‘Mission 300’, the Desert to Power initiative and the Africa Energy Market Place have all been put in place to support our countries’ ambitions in terms of access to energy,” emphasized Koné.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa: Matimba Power Station Thief Gets 5-Year Jail Term
A South African court has sentenced a man to five years in prison for stealing critical electrical equipment at Matimba Power Station.
According to Eskom, the suspect was sentenced on February 26, 2025, without the option of a fine.
The suspect was arrested on June 19, 2024, by the power station’s security team for stealing ash conveyor belts. He was held in custody until his trial, despite multiple bail applications.
Eskom reports that there have been no incidents of theft on the conveyor belts since the arrest and conviction.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Government Suspends Gold-For-Oil Programme
Ghana’s Central Bank, Bank of Ghana (BoG), has suspended the Gold-for-Oil programme due to policy and operational challenges that resulted in financial losses.
The programme, introduced by the previous administration, aimed to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign exchange for fuel imports and stabilize domestic fuel prices.
According to BoG Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama, the programme’s suspension was necessary due to the incurred losses.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Dr. Asiama stated, “We have had to incur some losses on that, so we have put some suspension on the trade.”
Although Dr. Asiama didn’t elaborate on the specific challenges, the decision aligns with the new administration’s broader policy shift.
Despite the programme’s suspension, Dr. Asiama remains optimistic about Ghana’s economic outlook, particularly regarding the stability of the cedi.
The BoG intends to maintain an appropriate monetary policy stance and commit to fiscal discipline under President John Mahama’s administration to ensure stability in the foreign exchange markets.
“We intend to maintain an appropriate monetary policy stance. Together with commitments to fiscal discipline under the administration of President John Mahama, this should help us maintain stability in the foreign exchange markets,” he assured.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: GIMPA-CEPUR Holds Energy Transition Policy Dialogue Today
The Centre of Excellence in Public Utility Regulation (CEPUR) at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) is hosting a Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Energy tomorrow, under the theme: “Accelerating Energy Transition In Ghana”.
This event is expected to attract stakeholders in the energy sector, with Ghana’s new minister for Energy and Green Transition Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor as the Guest of Honour.
Some of the notable speakers at the event include: Prof. Philip Kofi Adom, Research Fellow at CEPUR; Ing. Mark Baah, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo);Ing. Anthony Mark Yaw Esiape, former General Manager, Renewable Energy Technologies, ECG; Mrs Eunice A. Biritwum, Acting Executive Secretary, Energy Commission; Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, former Director Energy at Bui Power Authority (BPA); Ing. Seth Mahu, Director for Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy and Green Transition; and Dr Shafic Suleman, Executive Secretary of PURC.
CEPUR was established in February 2023, with the objective of developing competencies and expertise in economic regulation for the electricity, water, natural gas sectors, and other public utility service sectors.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
CEPUR was established in February 2023, with the objective of developing competencies and expertise in economic regulation for the electricity, water, natural gas sectors, and other public utility service sectors.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Nigeria: Power Ministry Dispels Tariff Hike Rumours, Seeks Billing System Reform
Nigeria’s Ministry of Power is urging citizens, particularly labour unions, to remain calm, giving an assurance that there are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs.
This comes after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) expressed concerns over a potential tariff hike.
According to Tunji Bolaji, aide to the power minister, the government is instead focusing on addressing disparities in the current billing system to encourage investment in the power sector.
The minister highlighted the unfairness of some consumers paying N209 per kilowatt-hour for at least 20 hours of power, while others on Band B pay only N63 per kilowatt-hour for 16 hours or more.
“This disparity is too high,” he told this portal via phone.
Bolaji emphasised the need to address this disparity, stating that the federal government is struggling to fulfill its obligatory subsidy due to liquidity issues.
He noted that discussions around increasing efficiency have overlooked the fundamental challenge of sustaining the sector through liquidity since privatisation.
“Everyone is talking about increasing efficiency; the question should have been, since privatisation, why has it been difficult to sustain the sector through increased efficiency? It is liquidity,” he posited.
This development comes amid ongoing concerns about Nigeria’s power sector, including inefficiencies, high tariffs, and inconsistent supply, which have frustrated consumers and businesses alike.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: Zesco Cuts Power Supply To Flood-Affected Areas In Lusaka
Zesco Limited, Zambia’s power utility company, has temporarily disconnected electricity supply to areas affected by recent flooding in Lusaka, the capital city.
This precautionary measure aims to safeguard lives and property from water-related electrical hazards.
The company has assured that power supply will be restored once the flooding subsides and electrical installations in homes and businesses are confirmed safe.
Zesco warned that flooding can compromise electrical systems, leading to electrical fires, shocks, and even death.
The company advised residents in flood-affected areas to exercise caution:
- Avoid standing in water covering electrical outlets, appliances, or conductors.
- Report fallen electricity lines to Zesco immediately.
- Avoid areas with sparks, popping, or buzzing noises from electrical installations.
- Do not operate electrical equipment or appliances that have come into contact with water.
Ghana: ECG’s 62% Revenue Collection Rate Hurting The Economy – Finance Minister
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the southern power distribution company, is facing criticism for its inefficiencies, which is draining the country’s economy.
As the largest distribution company in Ghana, ECG supplies electricity to six political regions in southern Ghana, covering around 80% of the population.
The company’s struggles have caught the attention of Ghana’s new Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, who has warned of dire consequences if drastic reforms are not implemented.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day National Economic Dialogue at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), Dr Forson revealed that ECG had been inefficient in its revenue collection, stating that power utility company collects only 62% of the total electricity it distributes, meaning nearly 40% of power supplied is either lost, or it goes unpaid for.
This alarming revenue gap has forced the government to continuously bail out the company, with budget transfers totalling $2.1 billion over the past two years.
“The inefficiencies at ECG are costing the nation heavily. Government transfers to support the energy sector have reached unsustainable levels, yet the company continues to struggle with revenue collection and operational inefficiencies,” he stated.
According to the Finance Minister, despite the government’s intervention, ECG’s financial problems are worsening.
By 2026, the projected cumulative shortfall in the energy sector is expected to exceed $9 billion, making it one of the biggest threats to Ghana’s economic stability.
“The power sector should be a key driver of industrial growth, but instead it has become a financial black hole, dragging the entire economy down,” Dr Forson stated.
Dr Forson acknowledged that while tariffs do not reflect the true cost of electricity, simply increasing prices is not a solution.
“Consumers cannot be forced to pay higher tariffs to cover ECG’s inefficiencies. Instead, we must address the root causes—inefficient billing, high system losses, and poor financial management,” he explained.
Despite periodic tariff adjustments, ECG continues to struggle with financial sustainability, making it increasingly reliant on government bailouts.
Dr. Forson called for urgent and radical reforms to fix ECG’s structural problems and reduce its burden on public finances.
He proposed a number of reforms including strengthening revenue collection by implementing strict enforcement measures to recover debts from consumers, including government agencies; reducing technical and commercial losses by investing in modern metering systems and anti-theft technology to prevent illegal connections; privatization or partnership with the private sector; implementing cost-cutting measures; and
enhancing financial accountability – Strengthening oversight and internal controls to prevent financial mismanagement.
Dr Forson did not mince words about the urgency of the situation. “If we do not act now, ECG will cripple Ghana’s economy. We cannot continue pouring billions into a broken system,” he warned.
The Finance Minister urged all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, and ECG management to commit to a turnaround plan that ensures the long-term sustainability of the electricity sector.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zimbabwe: Power Outage Looms As Hwange Units Undergo Maintenance
Zimbabwe’s Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Holdings has announced that two units at the Hwange Power Station would undergo scheduled maintenance in March and April, potentially affecting power supply.
Hwange Unit 7 went offline on Sunday, March 2, 2025, and the Class B maintenance is expected to be completed on March 29, 2025, while Unit 6 would undergo statutory maintenance from March 15 to May 14.
According to ZESA, the maintenance is necessary to ensure the units are ready for increased generation during the peak winter season.
The company has assured the public that measures are in place to maintain a stable power supply during the maintenance period.
ZESA said Kariba Power Station would be managed carefully to address periods of low supply, with output adjusted as necessary to conserve water for future use.
ZESA apologised for any inconvenience the maintenance may cause and thanked customers for their understanding.
Source: https://energynewsfrica.com
South Africa: Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 Suffers Unplanned Shutdown
Eskom, South Africa’s power utility company, has announced that Unit 2 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station experienced an unplanned shutdown due to a non-technical trip while operating at full capacity.
The incident occurred during maintenance work on Unit 1, which is currently offline as part of its Long-Term Operation (LTO) program.
“Unit 2 was safely shut down in accordance with its protection protocols, ensuring continued stability and security,” Eskom said in a statement.
Eskom has confirmed that it is safe to initiate the start-up process for Unit 2, and the unit is expected to be reconnected to the national grid within 48 hours.
Although the trip did not require the implementation of load shedding, Eskom acknowledged that generation capacity remains constrained.
The company continues to prioritize maintenance, averaging 7,032MW in February, to enhance fleet reliability ahead of increased winter demand.
Eskom assured the public that the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station maintains the highest safety standards, as evident in the management of the recent event.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: VRA/NEDCo Staff Groups Reject Alleged Appointment Of Jonathan Abdallah Salifu As Communications Manager
Staff groups of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) are opposing the alleged appointment of Jonathan Abdallah Salifu, the Upper East Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as Corporate Communications Manager of NEDCo.
According to the staff groups, Salifu’s appointment is irregular, threatens NEDCo’s integrity, and violates established protocols.
Although NEDCo management has not officially announced the appointment, Salifu revealed it on Bolgatanga-based Dreamz FM on February 26, 2025.
The staff groups argue that Salifu’s appointment disregards NEDCo’s recruitment policies, violates senior staff conditions, and constitutes illegality.
They have threatened to resist Salifu’s imposition and protect NEDCo from political appointments.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Petroleum Commission Assures Halliburton Of Support For Growth In Ghana
The newly appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Ghana, Ms Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, has assured Halliburton of the Commission’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the oil and gas service provider’s growth in Ghana.
During a recent visit from a Halliburton Ghana team led by Senior Area Manager – Africa of the North, Mr Gary Evans, Ms Hardcastle stated, “It’s good to know that Halliburton is investing more in Ghana, and we will continue to create an enabling environment for Halliburton’s growth in Ghana. I’m optimistic that these investments will pay off in the coming months.”
Mr Evans congratulated Ms Hardcastle on her new role and reiterated Halliburton’s commitment to collaborating with the Commission to advance Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
The meeting discussed strategic topics, including Halliburton’s global restructuring efforts and opportunities with Tullow Ghana Limited and Pecan Energies Ghana Limited for local content development.
Ms Hardcastle expressed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged Halliburton’s contributions to Ghana’s oil and gas sector.
She emphasised the Commission’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for investment, collaboration and sustainable growth in the industry.
Halliburton reaffirmed its interest in deepening engagement with key stakeholders to boost local content and explored potential collaborations to advance green energy.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Mr Evans congratulated Ms Hardcastle on her new role and reiterated Halliburton’s commitment to collaborating with the Commission to advance Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
The meeting discussed strategic topics, including Halliburton’s global restructuring efforts and opportunities with Tullow Ghana Limited and Pecan Energies Ghana Limited for local content development.
Ms Hardcastle expressed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged Halliburton’s contributions to Ghana’s oil and gas sector.
She emphasised the Commission’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for investment, collaboration and sustainable growth in the industry.
Halliburton reaffirmed its interest in deepening engagement with key stakeholders to boost local content and explored potential collaborations to advance green energy.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Zambia: Energy Ministry, ZESCO Inspect Flood-Hit Areas Before Power Restoration
Zambia’s Ministry of Energy, Energy Regulation Board, and ZESCO Limited have inspected the flood-affected parts of Kanyama and Makeni to ascertain their safety before electricity supply can be restored.
On February 22, 2025, ZESCO disconnected electricity supply to parts of Kanyama and Makeni as a preventive measure to save lives and property after the water levels in homes reached socket level.
So far, supply has been restored to Garden House, CK Marble, Garden Park, BMN, Rosedale, and up to Kalundu Township. According to ZESCO Limited, areas near White Wall Fence and Chisomo Hospital are also back on the grid supply.
Some areas remain unsafe because the water has not sufficiently cleared to allow power restoration. ZESCO continues to monitor these areas and will restore power when safety allows.
“ZESCO continues to urge its customers to avoid using electrical equipment in flooded areas and to stay away from fallen power lines. Any electrical hazards should be reported immediately,” ZESCO Limited said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
So far, supply has been restored to Garden House, CK Marble, Garden Park, BMN, Rosedale, and up to Kalundu Township. According to ZESCO Limited, areas near White Wall Fence and Chisomo Hospital are also back on the grid supply.
Some areas remain unsafe because the water has not sufficiently cleared to allow power restoration. ZESCO continues to monitor these areas and will restore power when safety allows.
“ZESCO continues to urge its customers to avoid using electrical equipment in flooded areas and to stay away from fallen power lines. Any electrical hazards should be reported immediately,” ZESCO Limited said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: Millions Lost As Fire Guts NEDCo Warehouse In Tamale
A raging fire swept through the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) central warehouse in Choggu, a suburb of Tamale in the Northern Region, destroying electrical equipment worth millions of Ghana Cedis.
The fire, which occurred on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at approximately 2:30 pm, ravaged transformers, insulators, cables, and other equipment.
Officials of NEDCo have not disclosed the cause of the fire, but sources close to this portal indicate that a fire gutted a transformer supplying power to the warehouse,and subsequently spread to the warehouse.
Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded swiftly, deploying two fire tenders to combat the blaze.
However, the intensity of the fire required additional support, prompting the GNFS to request water supply from a local company.
“We immediately brought two fire tenders, but because of the intensity of the fire. The two fire tenders weren’t enough to actually contain the fire, so because of that we had to communicate with a water company for them to supply us water,” said ADO II Baba Hudu, Northern Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS.
It took personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) about two hours to bring the fire under control.
Despite the damage, Maxwell Kotoka, Corporate Communications Director of NEDCo, assured the public that power distribution in the area would not be disrupted.
The affected warehouse serves as a central storage facility for the company’s equipment and materials.
“Supply to the warehouse has been affected, and so the warehouse itself doesn’t have power. But we are working around to see what we can do, we believe that it has not affected any outside institution for now,” Kotoka stated.
Efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage and carry out necessary repairs.
NEDCo has ensured that power supply remains uninterrupted.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The affected warehouse serves as a central storage facility for the company’s equipment and materials.
“Supply to the warehouse has been affected, and so the warehouse itself doesn’t have power. But we are working around to see what we can do, we believe that it has not affected any outside institution for now,” Kotoka stated.
Efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage and carry out necessary repairs.
NEDCo has ensured that power supply remains uninterrupted.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Zambia: ZESCO Restores Power To Flood-Hit Areas In Lusaka, Urges Caution
Zambia’s power utility company, ZESCO Limited, has announced the restoration of power supply to several areas in Kanyama and Makeni, Lusaka, which were disconnected due to flooding.
The affected areas had been without power as a precautionary measure to prevent electrical hazards.
In a statement on Sunday, March 2, 2025, ZESCO said power had been restored to Garden House, CK Marble, Garden Park, BMN, Rosedale, and Kalundu Township, among other areas.
However, it added that some areas, including Y-Road, Farm 55 Road, and Mbasela Road, remained without power due to safety concerns.
According to ZESCO, its technical teams are continuing to assess these areas, and power would be restored once it is safe to do so.
In the meantime, ZESCO advised customers to exercise caution when using electrical equipment in flooded areas and to stay away from fallen power lines.
The power utility company reminded customers to treat all electricity supply lines as live, as supply may be restored at any time.
ZESCO Limited has reassured customers that it is working to restore power to all affected areas as quickly and safely as possible.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com