Trinasolar Wins TÜV Rheinland’s PV Module Long-term Aging Reliability AQM Award 2024 For N-Topcon Single Glass
Trinasolar has been awarded the prestigious PV Module Long-term Aging Reliability AQM Award 2024 by TÜV Rheinland, a globally recognized leader in technical services with over 40 years of experience in the photovoltaic (PV) industry.
This honor highlights the outstanding system compatibility and long-term reliability of Trinasolar’s Vertex N single-glass modules.
Featuring advanced N-type i-TOPCon technology, the award-winning Vertex N modules deliver impressive performance, with a maximum output power of up to 630W and module efficiency reaching 23.3%.
Designed with industrial and commercial applications in mind, these lightweight single-glass modules—at just 10.7 kg per square meter—are perfect for rooftops where low load-bearing capacity is crucial. This design solves common challenges like limited roof load, complex installations, and difficult maintenance in PV systems.
The Vertex N series has set a new benchmark in n-type single-glass module reliability—an area that has historically challenged the industry. Trinasolar’s commitment to cutting-edge R&D has enabled the Vertex N modules to outshine competitors and earn this coveted award, further solidifying its leadership in TOPCon technology and PV reliability.
Backed by extensive testing beyond industry norms, including hail impact, dynamic load, and thermal cycling tests, Trinasolar’s Vertex N modules maintain excellent durability and minimal degradation even under extreme conditions.
They’ve been rigorously evaluated through 45mm hail tests, dynamic load tests at 20 times the standard load, and multiple environmental stress tests like PID, DH damp heat, and LeTID tests, proving their resilience in harsh environments such as ice and snow conditions. After these exhaustive tests, the modules retained their pristine appearance, showed no hidden cracks in EL testing, and exhibited exceptional performance with remarkably low degradation levels.
In response to customer needs, Trinasolar continues to innovate, unveiling the industry’s first 600W+ single-glass module with anti-dust accumulation features. The Trina Solution addresses common issues like dust and snow buildup, which can hamper power generation. With an enhanced frame structure and proprietary technology, these modules boost energy yields by promoting efficient shedding of dust and snow, while supporting high load capacities.
As a customer-first company, Trinasolar remains focused on delivering solutions that meet specific needs across diverse scenarios. Its unwavering commitment to technological innovation, product quality, and ecological partnerships ensures that Trinasolar continues to lead the industry, offering greater value to its customers and driving the shift toward a greener, more sustainable future.
Africa Emerges As A Key Player In Global Energy Security (Article)
With recent geopolitical events highlighting the vulnerabilities of global energy supply chains, Africa is attracting increasing attention as a reliable and promising source of oil and gas.
As the world seeks to diversify its energy portfolios and ensure security of supply, investors are recognising the immense potential of Africa’s underexplored hydrocarbon reserves. This comes as other regions face ongoing challenges, leading to a renewed focus on stable, promising alternatives.
Africa, long an overlooked energy region, has been attracting interest from global energy investors recently, thanks to its underdeveloped oil and gas resources, business-friendly governments and dynamic financial institutions. Now, the region seems increasingly attractive as a relatively stable and predictable geopolitical environment.
African energy stakeholders have observed a surge in interest from international players eager to engage with the continent’s dynamic energy sector. The forthcoming AOW: Investing in African Energy event in Cape Town reports a significant uptick in energy leaders confirming their attendance.
“Since other regional conflicts caused gas supply disruptions to Europe, we have seen a surge in interest in Africa as a supply base,” says Paul Sinclair, CEO of Sankofa Events, which owns AOW. “While we continue to hope for a peaceful resolution in all areas of conflict, we are also looking to explore how Africa can help ease global energy demand in this unsettling period.”
Recent discoveries of significant oil and gas deposits in the Orange Basin offshore South Africa and Namibia, alongside expanding projects in Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, and other nations, underscore the vast potential of Africa’s hydrocarbon resources. This is in addition to the continent’s almost limitless renewable energy opportunities.
“Africa offers so much for energy investors,” says Sinclair. “At the same time, there remain huge challenges with access to energy on the continent, something we want to put at the top of the AOW agenda to resolve. This is the ideal time to bring the continent’s energy resources into the mainstream economy and to look at not only driving advocacy around oil and gas development, but to ensure our resources are monetized locally for our own energy security.”
Sinclair says there has been huge progress in the West African corridor with gas utilisation and he looks forward to AOW helping to drive development and monetisation of natural resources for domestic economic growth.
“We want Africa to also help meet global energy needs and to be the supply base of choice for international energy security, while offering a parallel pathway to economic development for Africa,” he says. “We believe now is the time to accelerate upstream development.”
AOW: Investing in African Energy – owned by Sankofa Events – is Africa’s leading oil, gas & energy event. AOW brings together industry leaders to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future. The event runs from 7 – 10 October 2024 at the CTICC 2, Cape Town.
South Africa: Eskom Fires Up Diesel Turbines To Keep Load Shedding At Bay
South Africa’s power utility company, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. is using diesel-fueled auxiliary turbines extensively to stave off power cuts in South Africa following delays in restoring some generation capacity, News24.com has reported.
The utility fired up the units after 2 685 megawatts of capacity failed to return to service on Sept. 23 as planned, Eskom said in a reply to questions.
“Additionally, higher-than-expected electricity demand driven by cold weather has contributed to this situation,” it said.
While Eskom has been lauded for preventing rolling blackouts for more than six straight months, plant outages have led to “extensive usage” of the so-called open-cycle gas turbines intended to run during peak demand.
The utility used more power from the units in September than it did during the same month last year.
Still, diesel costs to run the turbines from April through last month have been reduced to about a third of the R17.1 billion ($980 million) spent during the same period in 2023, Eskom said.
The outlook of no power cuts, known as load shedding, through the end of March, “remains in force,” it said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria Targets 4 Million Bpd Oil production, 10Bcf Of Gas By 2030
The Federal Republic of Nigeria has said that it is targeting four million barrel per day (bpd) of oil production, and 10 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas production by 2030.
Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser (SA) to the President on Energy, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Mrs Verheijen said the feat would be achieved through commitment to reform agenda, unprecedented incentives for oil and gas production unveiled by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, the government has embarked on a series of new reforms to improve the competitiveness of its oil and gas industry.
“The reforms also aimed at bringing down the costs and timeliness of doing business in a sector that continues to be the biggest earner of foreign exchange for the country.
“These reforms, which include three presidential directives issued in February 2024, will create tens of thousands of new jobs, improve foreign exchange earnings, stimulate tax revenues and contribute to Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability,” she said
Mrs. Verheijen disclosed that the roll out of the reforms was being coordinated by her office.
She said that in a major move to advance the ongoing structural reforms in the oil and gas industry, President Tinubu approved the issuance of two new sets of fiscal incentives.
The incentives, according to her, included VAT waiver covering gas, diesel, electric vehicles and clean cooking equipment, and tax credits for new investments in the exploration and production of deep water oil and gas.
She said the new fiscal incentives, expected to take effect immediately, are contained in the documents issued by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun:
The documents, according to her, included; Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024, Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production in line with the Oil & Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order 2024.
The Presidential aide said the Notice of Tax Incentives was built on the directive, issued by thr President in February, which provided incentives for onshore oil and gas investments,
“This is the first time that Nigeria is outlining a fiscal framework for deep water gas, since basin exploration commenced in 1991.
“The incentives are in alignment with the Presidential Gas for Growth Initiative, which aims to fast-track the development of natural gas, displace fossil fuels in transport, promote affordability of gas, the incentives will equally bolster the country’s energy security,” she said
Verheijen said the reforms agenda would, equally, help the country to unlock 10 billion dollar of new investments in deep water oil and gas projects in the near to medium term
“Since Nigeria’s last deep water project – the Egina project – was approved in 2013, International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria have committed more than 82 billion dollar in deep water investments to other countries that they deem more competitive.
“Over the next few years, they plan to spend another 90 billion dollar to develop deep water oil and gas projects.
“This is the pool of funds that our reforms are targeting,” she said.
Verheijen commended the President for the deliberate efforts and programmes bringing positive momentum in the oil and gas industry.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Gov’t Directs Parliament To Stay Processes On The Bills Merging VRA, BPA, ECG & NEDCo
The Government of Ghana, through the Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Herbert Krapa, has directed Parliament to stay proceedings on the draft Bills seeking to merge the Volta River Authority (VRA), Bui Power Authority (BPA) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) into desperate entities.
Minister Krapa revealed this on Thursday after meeting staff groups of VRA, Management and VRA board at the Electro Volta Conference Room in Accra.
In a letter communicating the outcome of the meeting with the Minister, John Chobbah wrote: “The Minister of State indicated that he has engaged the leadership of Parliament to stay the process of laying the proposed merger Bills. He requested the Staff Groups’ leaders to back down on our actions and remove all the RED bands.
“The leadership of the Staff Groups assured the Minister that the staff shall only back down on our actions after an official public announcement from either the Ministry or the Presidency indicating that the Bills have been withdrawn from Parliament. Leadership, however, intimated that the meeting being held must not be interpreted as a stakeholders’ engagement.”
The letter urged all staff to remain resolute and continue working deligently while the leadership press home their demands.
The government’s plan of integrating the power generation assets of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Bui Power Authority (BPA) are four prong namely: (i)deliver minimised cost of power to consumers,(ii )improve operational efficiency as well as asset integrity and reliability, (iii)enhance financial strength of the integrated entity through the exploration of additional opportunities in the local and regional electricity market and (iv) increase the pace of transition to greener power generation and thereby ensure business.
However, the staff groups of the VRA have expressed opposition tothe proposed merger, arguing that the whole plan is a smoke screen agenda by the government to give off VRA thermal assets and later sell it to cronies.
They maintained that VRA is efficient and wondered why government is seeking to merge it with BPA.
In a thirteen-page petition to the Presidency recently, the Staff Groups of VRA perceived the proposed merger as a deliberate ploy to completely obliterate the name Volta River Authority and the significance of the visionary leader, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who pioneered the establishment of VRA, from the history of Ghana.
Additionally, the Staff Groups said, “We see this merger as a measure to weaken the Authority and the stability of electricity pricing in Ghana.”
According to the Staff Groups, the VRA hydro plants, since their inception, have been efficient with an average availability factor of 95 per cent, a reliability factor of 98 per cent and above year-on-year and a forced outage rate of less than one per cent, thereby making the VRA hydro generation plants one of the top most performing plants among 350 hydro plants in the world.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
UK Government Ready To Spend $29 Billion On Carbon Capture
The Keir Starmer government has announced funding of some 22 billion pounds for the buildout of carbon capture facilities in the North. The sum is equal to some $29 billion.
Per plans, the project, which is set to create so-called carbon capture clusters in Merseyside and Teeside, should create some 4,000 jobs and support another 50,000 over the next two decades and a half, AFP reported.
The initiative, with a size of 21.7 billion, was “reigniting our industrial heartlands by investing in the industry of the future,” Prime Minister Starmer said.
The government is hoping to attract some 8 billion pounds in private investment for the plan.
The state portion of the investment would come from the budget and from electricity bills.
The funds, to be disbursed over a period of 25 years, would be used for the construction of three projects that would capture and store carbon dioxide from hydrogen production, gas power generation, and waste generation, Sky News reported.
The amount of carbon dioxide emissions these three should capture when completed is 8.5 million tons annually, to be stored in empty gas fields in Liverpool Bay and the North Sea.
Carbon capture is considered a technology that is essential for the drive to net zero. Wood Mackenzie earlier this year estimated that by 2034 there could be carbon capture capacity of some 440 million tons by 2034, with storage capacity at 664 million tons annually.
However building that capacity would require close to $200 billion, the consultancy said.
The International Energy Agency, on the other hand, has downplayed the importance of carbon capture and storage as a means to a net-zero end.
The agency—and environmentalist organizations—have criticized carbon capture as too expensive, economically unviable, and ultimately benefiting the oil and gas industry, which both the IEA and many environmentalists would like to see gone.
Source: Oilprice.com
Ghana: BPA Leads Stakeholders To Inspect Its 50MW Solar Project In Yendi
Ghana’s second largest state-owned power generation which is developing a 50MW solar farm in Yendi in Northern Region has led some players in the power sector to inspect the ongoing project.
The inspection which was led by the Board Chairman, Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, and the Chief Executive Officer, Ing Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, were joined by the Executive Chairman of the First Sky Group, Mr Eric Seddy Kutortse, the contractors of the project.
Accompanying them were Board Members Hon. Paul Twum-Barimah and Hon. Salifu Saeed, as well as distinguished stakeholders including the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Emmanuel Adumua-Bossman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy, Hon. William Owuraku Aidoo, leading the Select Committee on Energy, alongside the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Hon. Umar Farouk Aliu Mahama, the Director of Power at the Ministry of Energy Mr Solomon Adjetey and the Chief Executive of GRIDCo, Ing Ebenezer Essienyi.
The site inspection aimed at updating stakeholders on the progress of the construction of the 50MW solar PV farm and its significance to the Yendi community.
The delegation began their visit by paying homage to the King of the Dagbon Kingdom, Ndan Ya Na Abubakari II, who welcomed them warmly and expressed enthusiasm for the project’s potential benefits.
They also visited the Galgu Na, who appreciated BPA and the government for their commitment to improving energy infrastructure in the region.
During the visit, the Director for Renewable Energy at BPA, Ing Peter Acheampong, presented a visual overview of the solar farm’s development, detailing its infrastructure, including DC and AC equipment, internal transmission lines, drainage systems, staff accommodation and access roads.
The project, which commenced on September 30, 2023, is currently 63.5 per cent complete.
In a press briefing, Mr Adumua-Bossman conveyed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s enthusiasm for the project, emphasising its role in promoting clean energy and job creation in Yendi.
He highlighted the initiative as a testament to the government’s commitment to sustainable progress and economic empowerment for the region.
Hon. Ameyaw-Cheremeh underscored the importance of the Yendi solar plant in achieving Ghana’s Renewable Energy goals and diversifying its energy mix.
The CEO of Bui Power Authority, Ing Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, reiterated the project’s significance for industrial growth and job creation in northern Ghana, highlighting BPA’s commitment to renewable energy development.
He explained that First Sky Limited, the contractors behind the 50MW Solar Project, are financing the initiative through an EPC+F agreement.
This arrangement requires First Sky Limited to provide the funding for the project, while Bui Power Authority (BPA) repays the investment over an eight-year period after the Commercial Operation Date (COD).
Hon. William Owuraku Aidoo commended the project’s alignment with government’s goals for clean energy.
The MP for Yendi, Alhaji Farouk Mahama, expressed gratitude for BPA’s recognition of Yendi’s potential and called for unity in supporting such initiatives.
The Executive Chairman of First Sky Group, Mr Eric Seddy Kutortse, highlighted that the project was executed entirely by Ghanaians, without any foreign assistance.
He stated that it is imperative for Ghanaians to take charge of the energy solutions necessary for the country’s future.
He added that the solar project initiative not only showcases local expertise but also underscores the capability of Ghanaian professionals in leading the way toward sustainable energy development.
The visit and inspection showcased BPA’s progress in fulfilling its mandate as Ghana’s renewable energy leaders, with the 50MW Solar PV Project, driving job creation in Yendi, improving reliable and cost-effective electricity supply to the national grid, stimulating local economic growth, and reducing carbon emissions through clean energy initiatives.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com The Gambia: Gov’t Invites Solar Developers To Submit Application For 50MW Solar Project
The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MoPE) and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), has issued a public notice to invite applications from solar power developers for a World Bank-supported 50MWp Regional Solar Project on a site with excellent solar irradiation in Soma–Lower River Region, The Gambia.
The preliminary design and planning model concluded that the capacity of the solar power park could be up to 150MWp with storage at the Soma substation and could be built in two phases.
The first phase of this project is 50MWp with a Battery Energy Storage System to meet (and not exceed) the national needs of energy consumption.
To this effect, The Government of The Gambia, through MoPE and NAWEC, intends to select an Independent Power Producer (IPP) under a Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) approach.
The IPP will be responsible for the financing, construction and operation of the solar power park in the first phase of 50MWp with a Battery Energy Storage System for 25 years (the Project).
In this regard, interested firms are invited to submit Applications to participate in this tender.
A complete set of Request for Qualification documents can be purchased by interested firms upon payment of a non-refundable fee of USD500 (Five Hundred US Dollars) to the National Water and Electricity Company, Project Implementation Unit Emporium III Building, Fajara.
“Please contact Haddy Njie by email at [email protected] and copy to [email protected], [email protected] for the account details and access to the Request for Qualification document.
“Please tender the receipt and collect the Request for Qualification document from:
“National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) Project Implementation Unit Emporium III Building, 114 Kairaba Avenue, Fajara Banjul, The Gambia
Telephone: +220 3664125/ 9967791/ 7009342.
“The Submission Deadline for Applications is the 14th of November,2024 noon Banjul Time.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Oil And Gas, Power Sector Players Gather Under Local Content Conference & Exhibition In Takoradi
Ghana’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Mr Herbert Krapa, on Wednesday, opened the three days ‘Local Content Conference and Exhibition (LCCE) organised by the Petroleum Commission, Ghana’s regulator for the upstream petroleum sector.
The event, under the theme: ‘Attracting Exploration and Production Investments To Boost Local Content–New Pathways’, underway in Takoradi, has attracted several players in the upstream petroleum and power sector players, both locally and outside Ghana.
Key industry players include Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Tullow, Eni, Kosmos Energy, Volta River Authority (VRA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Proscovia Nabbanja of Uganda.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Chevron Restarts Gas Production In Israel After Brief Halt During Iran’s Attack
Chevron has resumed natural gas production and supply from two platforms offshore Israel, where output was briefly suspended as a precaution due to the Iranian missile attack on Israel on Monday.
Iran yesterday fired more than 100 ballistic missiles into Israel after the United States warned Israel on Monday morning that an attack was imminent.
Oil prices jumped after news of the attack broke, amid concerns that oil and gas supply from the region could be affected in case of a wider conflict directly involving Iran, which sits close to the most important oil route in the world, the Strait of Hormuz.
“Chevron Mediterranean Limited (CML) can confirm that we have resumed production at both our Tamar and Leviathan facilities and are supplying natural gas to our customers in Israel and the region from both reservoirs,” the U.S. supermajor said in a statement carried by Russian news agency TASS.
“Any questions regarding the current security situation should be addressed to the appropriate Israeli governmental authorities,” Chevron added.
A year ago, Chevron also shut down the Tamar gas field after Hamas’s attack on Israel in early October 2023, which ignited the ongoing conflict in the region.
Chevron Mediterranean Limited operates Tamar and has a 25% stake in the field. At Tamar, six production wells produce volumes of natural gas ranging from 7.1 to 8.5 million cubic meters per day each.
Most of the natural gas processing takes place on the Tamar platform situated 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of Ashkelon. Tamar supplies 70% of Israel’s energy consumption needs for electricity generation, Chevron says.
Chevron has an interest in another gas field offshore Israel, the Leviathan gas field, the biggest energy project in Israel ever, after it bought Noble Energy.
The Leviathan gas reservoir was one of the world’s largest deep-water gas discoveries of 2000s and its development is the largest energy project in Israeli history.
The gas field is located deep in the Mediterranean Sea, 130 kilometers (81 miles) west of Haifa.
Source: Oilprice.com
Nigeria: FG Grants UTM Offshore Ltd License To Construct First Floating LNG Facility
Nigeria has officially granted UTM FLNG Limited “License to Construct” Nigeria’s first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility, opening a new economic chapter for Nigeria, Africa’s largest crude oil producer, in the global gas market.
The UTM Offshore Limited Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) plant with a capacity of 2.8 million tons per annum (MTPA), will produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and condensate from re-injected gas at the OML 104 Yoho Field.
The issuance of the LTC to UTM Offshore Limited by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fulfils the assurance by President Tinubu in July 2023 to give all necessary support to the Nigerian firm to ensure the actualization of the landmark gas project.
The President had, during an audience with the management of the company and its foreign partners at the State House, Abuja pledged to remove all impediments to the timely completion of the facility.
The project represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s energy sector, enhancing the country’s ability to harness its untapped 209 trillion cubic feet of natural gas for both export and domestic consumption.
This is expected to leapfrog the national economy by ensuring availability of gas at lower cost, generate massive employment, and multi-million Naira business opportunities for Nigerians and other nationals.
Speaking at the event at the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja on Friday, which was attended by key industry players, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, said the LTC signing ceremony “marks a significant milestone and aligns with the gas expansion ambitions of the government” as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Ahmed noted that the FLNG is a yield of President Tinubu’s effort in the expansion of the Midstream Gas Sector adding that the Federal Government under Tinubu administration will continue to give all necessary support and conducive environment for the firm to operate.
In his speech, Group Managing Director of UTM FLNG Limited, Dr. Julius Rone, OFR, ROI expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his “unwavering support to the gas sector and the UTM FLNG project in particular.
Rone stated that the project aligns with the President’s promise to develop Nigerian gas resources as a source of sustainable energy and economic development for the country.
He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the NMDPRA and the dedication of all stakeholders involved in bringing this project to fruition.
He also thanked the GCEO of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, for the support from NNPCL for believing in UTM Offshore to deliver on the project.
“This achievement is not just a License to Construct; it is a testament to the collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence shared by our teams.
“The guidance and thorough review process by NMDPRA have been instrumental in navigating the complexities of this endeavour, ensuring compliance with industry standards and fostering a productive partnership” Rone said.
The UTM FLNG boss stated that the journey toward this milestone began with concept studies in 2019, followed by the pre-FEED phase in June 2021 and the successful completion of the FEED phase in October 2023.
He said, “UTM Offshore Limited, the main sponsor of the UTM FLNG Project, signed the Head of Terms with NNPC Limited in July 2023 and finalized the Shareholders Agreement with NNPC Ltd and the Delta State Government in December 2023.
“As UTM FLNG Limited moves forward into the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) phase, the company remains committed to conducting operations with integrity, sustainability and respect for the communities and environment in which it operates.”
The UTM FLNG Plant which is located offshore Akwa Ibom State in the oil-rich Niger Delta of the South-South region of Nigeria is expected to be completed and commissioned in 2028 with gas production projected to commence the following year.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: Maamba Power Plant Resumes Full Operation After Maintenance Work
Zambia’s largest Independent Power Producer, Maamba Energy Limited, has announced the completion of its annual maintenance works on the 300MW eco-friendly coal-fired power plant.
The company said it has since resumed full capacity operations and is supplying the full contracted power to Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO).
“The shutdown on the two units was essential to allow maintenance works that are vital to ensure the safety and long-term operational efficiency of the critical equipment of the Thermal Power Plant,” the company said in a post on Facebook.
The 300MW coal-fire power plant was shut down in September for maintenance.
The shutdown of the plant and severe drought that affected power generation from the Kariba Dam forced ZESCO to implement load-shedding, with some Zambians either receiving power for few hours in a day or days without power.
The resumption of the Maamba Power Plant is likely to improve power supply in the southwestern African nation.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: PETROSOL Launches “Energizing Dreams Promo” To Reward Customers
PETROSOL Platinum Energy Ltd, a leading energy company in the Republic of Ghana, has launched a nationwide promotional campaign dubbed “Energizing Dreams Promo” to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
The six-month-long promo aims to reward its loyal customers for the trust in and loyalty to the brand over the past 10 years and to also usher them into the company’s new phase as a brand that seeks to energize the dreams and aspirations of its customers better.
The sales promotion was launched jointly by Mr. Duncan Amoah, the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), who was the Guest of Honour; Mr. Kwabena Agyekum, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana, who was the Chairman for the occasion; and Michael Bozumbil, the Chief Executive Officer of PETROSOL.
The event also had representatives from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the Tanker Owners Union, the Tanker Drivers’ Union, some dealers of PETROSOL, among others.
Speaking about the promotion, Mr. Bozumbil unveiled PETROSOL’s decision to give away exciting prizes, including fuel vouchers, lubricants vouchers, tricycles, motorcycles, TVs, fridges, phones, and ultimately 2 brand new Suzuki S-Presso cars.
He also added that the company has invested in procuring over 100,000 pieces of PETROSOL branded souvenirs such as irons, T-shirts, umbrellas, power banks, standing fans, tissue boxes, exercise books, school bags, among others, to be given to its customers.
To participate, customers must register at any of PETROSOL’s over 100 stations or register online at www.petrosolcrm.com
Customers will be categorized based on their segment (taxis, trotros, Uber/Bolt/Yango, motorcycle/tricycle, trucks, B2B, etc.) and must meet a purchase threshold to qualify for the monthly draws for the major items, which will be conducted by the National Lottery Authority, to ensure transparency.
As for the souvenirs, customers will be taking part in daily draws at the various stations, irrespective of the amount purchased.
According to Mr. Bozumbil, PETROSOL has come a long way since its inception, and they are grateful to their customers for their unwavering support, which has made the company survive, in the midst of the challenges.
“Therefore, the Energizing Dreams Promo is our way of saying thank you in tangible terms to our customers and also energizing their dreams, especially in these times of economic difficulties when our customers are finding it difficult to buy such products or items.”
The monthly promo draws will be done in each of the six business territories of PETROSOL, culminating in two grand finale events in the Southern Sector and the Northern Sector.
Customers’ progress in the promo will be tracked digitally through PETROSOL’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, and they will receive SMS alerts for transactions and points earned.
Mr. Duncan Amoah praised PETROSOL for its consistency in placing the needs of its customers as top priority as it has consistently delivered high-quality petroleum products in full quantity and also at fair prices.
He said PETROSOL was a model of excellence in the industry and a signing example of indigenous private ingenuity and thus should be supported to grow even beyond the shores of Ghana.
He therefore entreated all petroleum consumers to take advantage of this sales promotion and patronize their products for the longevity of their vehicles and also stand the chance of winning prizes.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Equatorial Guinea: Oil And Gas Production To Be Boosted After ExxonMobil Exit
Equatorial Guinea, OPEC’s smallest producer, plans to boost oil and gas output following the exit of ExxonMobil from the Central African nation earlier this year, according to its oil minister.
Crude production in Equatorial Guinea has dropped by half over the last five years from as much as 140,000 bpd to 70,000 bpd in August, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Exxon left the country earlier this year, transferring assets to state-owned company GEPetrol.
“Our national oil company will be moving into a new stage of production and exploration, that shall include the important redevelopment of the Zafiro Field,” Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mineral Development Antonio Oburu Ondo said in a statement on Monday.
Zafiro was Exxon’s key asset, producing more than 1 Bbbl of oil over a period of more than 20 years. The field had been pumping about 45,000 bpd before it was shut in 2022 due to a safety incident.
Equatorial Guinea has bolstered the work of its national oil company with a $350 million contract award to Petrofac in April. It also plans to rely on other producers operating in the country including Chevron, Marathon Oil and Kosmos Energy to raise output. It recently held talks with oil trader Trafigura Group over financing.
Chevron paid $1.15 billion in taxes and shared oil production to Equatorial Guinea in 2023, more than all US counterparts, according to SEC filings compiled by Bloomberg. Marathon Oil paid $230 million, Exxon $189 million and Kosmos $145 million to the government.
The Zafiro redevelopment will start in 2025 and involve three phases within the year, Ondo said. Equatorial Guinea is also focusing on expanding an offshore Gas Mega Hub, which produces liquefied natural gas and methanol, with some feedstock coming by pipeline from Nigeria.
Reductions this year in corporate income taxes and dividend taxes are part of the government’s efforts to draw investment, Ondo said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com