Russia’s Trade Turnover In Africa Reached US$18 Billion In 2022—Putin Discloses

Michael Creg Afful
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Russia’s Trade Turnover In Africa Reached US$18 Billion In 2022—Putin Discloses

Russia’s trade turnover in Africa in 2022 reached almost US$18 billion, President Vladimir Putin has revealed in an article ahead of the Second Russia-Africa Summit scheduled from today July 27 -28, 2023, in St. Petersburg.

Despite these investments in Africa, Mr Putin said, “We are well aware that the potential of our trade and economic partnership is much higher.

“Russian companies are interested in working more actively on the continent in the sphere of high technologies and geological exploration, in the fuel and energy complex, including nuclear power, in the chemical industry, mining and transport engineering, agriculture and fishery.”

Mr Putin noted that the changes taking place in the world require the search for solutions related to the establishment of new transport and logistical chains, the formation of a monetary and financial system, and mechanisms of mutual settlements that are safe and free from unfavourable external impacts.

Touching on Russia’s relationship with Africa, Mr Putin said, “The partnership between our country and Africa has strong, deep roots and has always been distinguished by stability, trust and goodwill.”

According to him, Russia has consistently supported Africans in their struggle for liberation from colonial oppression, adding, “We have assisted in developing statehood, strengthening their sovereignty and defence capability.

“By the mid-1980s, with the participation of our specialists, over 330 large infrastructure and industrial facilities have been built in Africa, such as power plants, irrigation systems, industrial and agricultural enterprises, which are successfully operating to this day, and continue to make a significant contribution to the continent’s economic development. Tens of thousands of African doctors, technical specialists, engineers, officers and teachers have received education in Russia,” he stated.

Mr Putin who expressed disgust at how Europe unscrupulously handled the so-called ‘grain deal’ said notwithstanding the sanctions imposed on Russia, it would continue its energetic efforts to provide supplies of grain, food products, fertilizers and other goods to Africa.

“We highly value and will further develop the full spectrum of economic ties with Africa–with individual states as well as regional integration associations and naturally, with the African Union,” he assured.

Mr Putin was hopeful that the second Russia -Africa summit would adopt a comprehensive Declaration, several joint statements and approve the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan to 2026.

“We are working to prepare an impressive package of intergovernmental and inter-agency agreements and memoranda with individual states as well as regional associations of the continent. I am looking forward to welcoming the African leaders in St. Petersburg and stand committed to a fruitful constructive dialogue,” he concluded.

 

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Kenya: Man Sentenced 10 Years For Vandalising Electricity Meter Board

Michael Creg Afful
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Kenya: Man Sentenced 10 Years For Vandalising Electricity Meter Board

A court in Kenya has sentenced a man to ten years in imprisonment or a fine of KShs5 million (the equivalent of US$35,125) for vandalising a customer’s electricity meter board at Riverside Estate in Timau town, Meru County.

The convict, Brian Wahome, was arrested and charged at the Timau Police Station before he was arraigned at the Nanyuki Law Court where he was charged with stealing energy equipment contrary to section 169(1)(c) of the Energy Act 2019.

A statement issued by Kenya Power said the suspect pleaded guilty and was handed the sentence by Lisper Gakli Nyaga, the resident’s, magistrate at the Nanyuki law courts.

The statement said at the time of the arrest, Mr. Wahome was found in possession of two cutouts, a switch and the meter board.

Kenya Power’s Ag. Security Services Manager, Major Paul Nyaga Gichovi (Rtd.), welcomed the judgment, terming it a big boost to fight against vandalism.

“This sentence will go a long way to deter vandalism and other illegal activities on the network. We are relentless in the fight against these crimes as they pose the danger of loss of life through electrocution and undermine the quality of power supply, beyond financial losses to the company,” he said.

 

 

 

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Uganda: Total Starts Drilling At Tilenga Oil Field

Michael Creg Afful
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Uganda: Total Starts Drilling At Tilenga Oil Field
France’s TotalEnergies has started drilling its first well in the Tilenga field, near Lake Albert, in Uganda, East Africa. According to the French firm, oil production from the field will start in 2025. The Tilenga project is part of a $10-billion deal between TotalEnergies, Chinese CNOOC, and the Ugandan government for the development of two fields in the Lake Albert area. The other field, whose development would be led by CNOOC, is Kingfisher. Like every new oil and gas development, the Ugandan deal has been seen as controversial by some, especially because it would also involve the construction of a pipeline from the fields to the Tanzanian Indian Ocean coast. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline, or EACOP, will have a capacity of 216,000 barrels of crude daily and will span across more than 1,400 km. It will be the world’s longest heated oil pipeline. The capacity could be ramped up to 246,000 barrels at a later stage. The cost of the project was estimated at $3.5 billion when Total, CNOOC, and Uganda sealed the deal for its construction. For landlocked Uganda, EACOP is a vital necessity if it is to get its crude oil to international markets. The project is a lucrative opportunity for neighboring Tanzania, too. Environmentalists, however, disagree that the pipeline—or oil development near Lake Albert—is a good idea. They cite the potential for environmental damage from the operation of the pipeline and the fields, and the idea that more oil a d gas development is at odds with emission reduction targets. For governments in the region, however, exploiting their natural resources is, indeed, a good idea. Politicians cite the prospects of improving the living standards of local populations thanks to oil revenues and the chance to do exactly what the West did thanks to oil and gas: wealthy.     Source: Oilprice.com

Mozambique: Globeleq To Acquire Mocuba Solar PV Plant From SCATEC 

Michael Creg Afful
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Mozambique: Globeleq To Acquire Mocuba Solar PV Plant From SCATEC 
Globeleq, the leading independent power company in Africa, has agreed to purchase Scatec A.S.A.’s 52.5% stake in the 41 MW Central Solar de Mocuba solar PV power plant (Mocuba) in Mozambique. A statement from George Cazenove, Director of Communications and Government Affairs at Globeleq and copied to energynewsafrica.com said the company will also purchase KLP Norfund Investments A.S.’s 22.5% stake in the plant at the same time. On completion of these transactions, Globeleq will hold a 75% stake in Mocuba, and will become the owner and manager of the plant. According to the statement, Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), the national power company, will continue to hold the remaining 25%. The Mocuba power plant is located on 126 hectares in a rural setting approximately 13km from the city of Mocuba in Zambezia province, in central Mozambique. The project reached financial close in March 2018 and construction was completed in August 2019. EDM is the off-taker through a 25-year power purchase agreement with the electricity produced being supplied into the national grid. The International Finance Corporation and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund are lenders to the project. This acquisition will significantly expand Globeleq’s operational footprint in Mozambique where the company is in the process of commissioning a 19 MW solar and 7MWh energy storage project at Cuamba and constructing a 450 MW gas-to-power project at Temane. Globeleq is also leading development of a 120 MW wind project at Namaacha, near Maputo. The Mocuba transaction is subject to regulatory and lender approval and is expected to close in the first half of 2024. Following the completion of this transaction and the commissioning of the Cuamba Solar plant, Globeleq’s solar portfolio in Africa will be close to 400 MW across South Africa, Egypt, Kenya and Mozambique. Commenting on the planned acquisition, Mike Scholey, Globeleq’s CEO stated: “I am very pleased that Globeleq is continuing to build its presence in Mozambique through the purchase of the Mocuba solar plant. This acquisition, along acquisition, alongside our other projects, demonstrates our commitment both to Mozambique and to building our renewable power portfolio in Africa.”     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

G20 Deal On Fossil Fuels Blocked After Saudi Opposition

Michael Creg Afful
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G20 Deal On Fossil Fuels Blocked After Saudi Opposition
Several countries led by Saudi Arabia have blocked a move by G20 nations to reduce the use of fossil fuels, in the latest sign of the global tensions over the future role of oil, gas and coal as the world grapples with climate change. G20 countries released a summary document on Saturday after several days of intense discussions hosted by India in Goa. It said that some member states had emphasised the need to cut back the use of fossil fuels without the capture of emissions “in line with different national circumstances”. But others “had different views on the matter”. Those countries instead want to focus on the development of technology to capture greenhouse gas emissions. Several people familiar with the negotiations said Saudi Arabia was prominent in the push against phasing down fossil fuels, and was backed by several other countries. In past negotiations Russia and China have consistently opposed the move, and they thwarted a pact at the UN climate summit in Egypt late last year. The G7 nations have already agreed to accelerate the phasing out of fossil fuels. Saturday’s gathering also failed to make progress on setting a global goal for renewable energy development. The deadlock comes as countries around the world are suffering extreme weather including severe heatwaves and flooding. The EU has been a leading supporter of efforts to shift away from burning fossil fuels, which account for about three-quarters of all greenhouse gas emissions. Alden Meyer, senior associate at consultancy E3G, said there were “sharp divisions on display” at the G20 meeting “around the need for a fair, fast, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels”. “With temperature records being set daily around the world and the impacts of climate change spiralling out of control, the world needed to hear a clarion call to action,” he said. “Instead, what we got was very weak tea.” Speaking at the end of the meeting, RK Singh, India’s minister of power, acknowledged that the reduction of fossil fuel production was a “sticking point” in the discussions. He said a larger part of the G20 was in favour and it was a “great conference”. India has committed to reach net zero by 2070, while China has set a 2060 goal to be “carbon neutral”. A report prepared for India’s G20 presidency estimated the cost of the energy transition at $4tn a year globally and stressed the need for finance for developing countries; this has become a key demand of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The failure to reach an agreement is likely to pile pressure on to the United Arab Emirates to intensify its discussions with ministers and leaders. It will host COP28 in December this year. Earlier this month, Sultan al-Jaber, president-designate of COP28, laid out his vision for the climate summit, which focuses heavily on climate finance for poor countries to help them cope with the consequences of global warming, as well as a rapid expansion of renewable energy. He also set out a “mid-century” goal for a reduction in the use of fossil fuels produced without capturing their emissions. Previously, he had said that the reduction of fossil fuel use was “inevitable”. Global emissions need to be cut by 43 per cent by 2030 to stop temperatures rising above 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, the threshold at which scientists have warned of potentially irreversible changes to the planet and devastating consequences for citizens, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. But the world is on track for a temperature rise of between 2.4C and 2.6C by 2100, according to the UN Environment Programme.     Source: Financial Times

Kenya: Tullow Hopeful Of Getting Strategic Partner For Turkana Oil Project

Michael Creg Afful
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Kenya: Tullow Hopeful Of Getting Strategic Partner For Turkana Oil Project
Africa-focused oil and gas firm, Tullow Oil Plc., has expressed optimism that it will soon find a strategic partner for the Turkana oil project in Kenya and bring it to fruition. Since May this year when TotalEnergies and Africa Oil announced their withdrawal from the project, Tullow has been in search of new partners by holding talks with investors in India to bring them on board. CEO of Tullow Oil Plc., Rahul Dhir, was in Kenya and held meetings with Kenyan authorities over the project. “We are very delighted not just to be in Kenya but also at the field, where we were given a warm welcome by all the county and community leadership. We have seen a lot of traction and movement since the new government came in,” Kenya Broadcasting Corporation quoted Mr. Rahul Dhir as saying during a meeting with Kiraitu Murungi, Chairman of National Oil Corporation of Kenya, CEO of NOC, Leparan Morintat, and Madhan Srinivasan , Managing Director of Tullow Oil Kenya. Dhir said that Tullow is 100 per cent committed to ‘Project Kenya’, adding that they are engaged in discussions with a few parties to come in as strategic partners. Tullow Oil, in May 2023, submitted its revised Field Development Plan to Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which is now reviewing it. NOC Chairman, Kiraitu Murungi said the National Oil Corporation alone stands to earn approximately US$8 billion in value out of its 22.5 per cent carry-in interest in the estimated 500 million barrels from the Lokichar Basin alone, an amount, he said, that would be enough to cut dependency on foreign aid and lift millions of Kenyans out of poverty. “Experts tell us that the Lokichar field asset is quantified at 472 million barrels recoverable. With the State’s carry-in interest of 22.5 per cent share in the production sharing contract, NOC stands to earn $8 billion at the current rate of $80 a barrel. We can do a lot with this kind of money,” Mr Murungi said. He added that the country stands to benefit in terms of jobs, royalties and infrastructural development, noting that while Kenya is endowed with considerable green energy resources, the country needs an inflow of dollars that solar or wind power cannot bring into the country. Alluding to how Ghana used its oil find to power its economy, Mr Murungi said Kenya could leverage early oil production to provide a financial cushion for the country. The Turkana oil asset, Mr Laparan Morintat said, is the single hottest Kenyan investment at the moment, and that the sooner it is developed, the better for the country. He said NOC would support Tullow and the Government to move faster to the production phase. “NOC has a considerable capacity which we shall deploy to help develop our country. We host one of the few globally recognised petroleum data centres in developing economies and we are in the process of equipping our geophysical and petrochemical laboratory which will be the only one of its kind in Africa,” he noted.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com  

Ghana: Africa Needs To Unite To Develop Energy Potentials To Spur Industrialisation—BPA Director

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: Africa Needs To Unite To Develop Energy Potentials To Spur Industrialisation—BPA Director
African leaders have been urged to come together and develop the continent’s huge energy potential to spur economic activities and industrialisation. Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, Director for Renewable Energy at the Bui Power Authority (BPA) in the Republic of Ghana made the call in a presentation at the recent 57th Annual Meeting of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi. He noted that Africa has all it takes to be self-sufficient in providing sustainable energy for the development of Africa. Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo added that Africa is endowed with huge energy potential notably hydropower, petroleum, natural gas, biomass (woodfuel) and uranium for nuclear power. According to him, despite the huge energy potential, the continent has not been able to maximise it, stating that for instance, Africa has the highest untapped hydropower potential in the world yet only 11 per cent has been utilised compared to 85 per cent in Europe and America. He said industrialised countries like Germany, China, India and Malaysia are where they are because of cheap electricity from clean coal and nuclear power. He said carbon dioxide emission from Africa is very low and therefore not out of place to use a fraction of the coal resource exported from Africa to the industrialized nations to equally produce cheap power within the continent. “It is not too late for Africa to follow the examples of China, India and Malaysia to utilise its energy resources for providing cheaper electricity to drive industries and add value to the abundant natural resources,” he said. He added that currently, there is no evidence that dependable variable Renewable Energy sources such as solar, wind or tidal electricity support industrialisation without first having adequate baseload power from coal, natural gas, hydro or nuclear. Touching on energy transition, Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo observed that World Trade is now shifting towards green markets. Given this, he urges industries in Africa to strategically position themselves to take advantage of the green energy resources potential in the continent to compete favourably in the green market. He said, “This is why Bui Power Authority and Volta River Authority are focusing on the deployment of Renewable Energy to support local industries for them to compete in the green market.”     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: NPA, Security Agencies Intensify Patrol At Border Towns To Curb Fuel Smuggling

Inusah Musah
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Ghana: NPA, Security Agencies Intensify Patrol At Border Towns To Curb Fuel Smuggling

Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has, in collaboration with the state security agencies, mapped out plans to clamp down on fuel smuggling activities along border towns in the Upper East Region.

The Authority has partnered with security services to position some staff and security personnel at the smuggling hot spots to stop the menace.

Speaking at a media engagement held over the weekend in Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region, the Regional Manager of NPA, Mr. Bashiru Natogma said the initiative had improved the sale of quality fuel supply in the area.

Fuel smuggling has been one of the obstacles in the petroleum downstream of the supply chain in Ghana where both bulk distribution companies and consumers suffer in terms of pricing and demands.

The Upper East Region, which is bordered by landlocked countries, has been the target of fuel smugglers using the numerous unapproved routes to illegally transport the product, mostly at night.

Chief Executive of NPA, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid initiated the measures to curb the pilfering.

Mr. Natogma said tracking systems had been installed on vehicles carrying petroleum products to the BDCs as well as the points of discharge.

He said incentives had also been introduced to the foreign petroleum transporters who send fuel to neighbouring Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali and Niger for the easy take-off of the products to discourage middlemen from smuggling the product.

Mr. Natogma stressed that a rapid response mechanism had also been adopted to eradicate the menace.

He reaffirmed the Authority’s mandate in ensuring consumers get quality petroleum products to ensure value for money.

“My team, in partnership with the security agencies, has made fuel smuggling very difficult especially at the border towns because that’s where the majority of the smuggling takes place.

“We are, therefore, sending a strong warning to all identified and those yet to be identified in the fuel smuggling business to stop or face the law. We are not leaving any stone unturned in the fight against fuel smuggling in the border towns and some defunct fuel stations,” Mr Bashiru cautioned.

Pindaa community in the Kassena Nankana Municipality, Nakolo in the West Kassena Nankana District, Kulungugu in the Pusiga District, Nayagnia in the Kassena Nankana Municipality, Bongo Soe in the Bongo District and some other border communities in the region are among the spots where the exercises are being carried out.

Mr. Natogma urged the public to report to the NPA through its toll-free contact numbers—080012300, and 0302766195/6, any illegal and unapproved activities at the fuel stations or the LPG refilling points.

He also advised consumers who fall victim to cheating at the pumps to obtain receipts as evidence.

The Head of Planning at the NPA, Mr. Dominic Aboagye briefed journalists on fuel supply and availability in Ghana.

He gave the assurance that the NPA would ensure an uninterrupted supply of quality petroleum products to Ghanaians and its clients in Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali and Niger.

   

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

 

South Africa: Renewable Energy Firm Moves To Block Eskom Power-Grid Regulations

Michael Creg Afful
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South Africa: Renewable Energy Firm Moves To Block Eskom Power-Grid Regulations
G7 Renewable Energies, a South Africa- based power-project developer is seeking to block new rules governing the connection of plants to the national electricity grid, saying they are flawed and will impair the addition of more generation capacity. State-owned utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. is struggling to meet electricity demand, resulting in almost daily power cuts that are hobbling economic growth. Private generation projects that could relieve pressure on the system have been sidelined, in part because of a lack of connections to the grid. To alleviate that pressure, Eskom introduced its so-called Interim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules, but developer G7 Renewable Energies argued they will hinder new operations. In a report by Dailymaverick.co.za, it said CEO of G7 Renewable Energies Mr. Kilian Hagemann in an affidavit seen by Bloomberg stated that Eskom’s application of the IGCA rules “will determine applications for grid access in accordance with rules which have been adopted in a manner that is unlawful, unreasonable and irrational.” The rules will also “compel applicants for access to undertake procedures which are onerous and prejudicial,” he said. Eskom said it wasn’t immediately able to comment. In June, the utility said the rules would avoid “hogging” of grid capacity and ensure only so-called shovel-ready projects are allocated capacity. The rules will impose greater costs on developers of new generation plants and their customers, the South African Independent Power Producers Association, a lobby group, said earlier this month. G7 Renewable Energies is involved in two wind farms identified in the court papers that are not part of a government program to buy power from producers, but will provide electricity to private customers. Such projects “will serve to reduce the burden on Eskom,” the company said.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Saudi Aramco Buys 10% Stake In China’s Rongsheng Petrochemical

Michael Creg Afful
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Saudi Aramco Buys 10% Stake In China’s Rongsheng Petrochemical
Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies has acquired a 10% stake in the Chinese firm, Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd. for US$3.4 billion through its subsidiary Aramco Overseas Company BV, based in the Netherlands. The acquisition follows the signing of definitive strategic agreements by both parties announced on March 27, 2023. The acquisition represents the continued growth of Aramco’s downstream presence in China and includes the supply of 480,000 barrels per day of Arabian crude to the largest Chinese integrated refining and chemicals complex, which is owned by Rongsheng affiliate Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co. Ltd (ZPC). “Our strategic partnership with Rongsheng advances Aramco’s liquids to chemicals strategy while growing our presence in China and showcases our importance as a reliable supplier of crude oil. This key acquisition is an important part of Aramco’s long-term growth strategy, expanding our presence in a vital market,” said Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani, Aramco Downstream President in a statement issued on Friday and copied energynewsafrica.com. On his part, Li Shuirong, Chairman of Rongsheng, said: “The completion of this transaction marks the entry of Rongsheng and Aramco into a new era together and also signifies an important step forward in Rongsheng’s internationalization strategy.” Rongsheng owns a 51% equity interest in ZPC, whose complex has the capacity to process 800,000 barrels per day of crude oil and to produce 4.2 million metric tons of ethylene per year.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

UAE: President Erdogan Presents UAE President With Turkish-Made Electric Car

Michael Creg Afful
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UAE: President Erdogan Presents UAE President With Turkish-Made Electric Car
President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan has presented a Turkish-made electric car to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during the Turkish President’s official visit to the UAE. President Erdogan described the gift of the Togg electric vehicle as an expression of his pride in the strong relations that unite the two countries. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed expressed his appreciation to the Turkish President for the generous gesture, and wished Türkiye and its people further progress, growth and prosperity. He also conveyed his best wishes for the future success of Türkiye’s national projects and industries, and for their contribution to the country’s sustainable development and economic growth. His Highness, accompanied by President Erdogan, drove the car in the courtyard of Qasr Al Watan while being briefed on its specifications and environmental credentials.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com/Emirrates News Agency

Ghana: Boakye Agyarko Nails Gabby, Atta Akyea In Ameri Power Plant Renegotiation Saga

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: Boakye Agyarko Nails Gabby, Atta Akyea In Ameri Power Plant Renegotiation Saga
A former Minister for Energy, Mr Boakye Agyarko, has made yet another startling revelation about the renegotiation of the terms of 250 Megawatts Ameri Power Plant by naming persons whose conduct and actions during the renegotiation formed the basis for his removal from office in 2018. Narrating the circumstances leading to his removal from office on Kumasi-based Asanteman FM, Mr Boakye Agyarko, a former Policy Advisor for then-candidate Akufo-Addo, said when the New Patriotic Party was in opposition, one of the things they planned to do was to renegotiate the terms of the power plants contracted by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) including the Ameri Power Plant. Consequently, Mr Agyarko stated that an eighteen-member committee with institutional representation from the energy sector agencies was constituted and chaired by Lawyer Philip Addison and Vicky Bright. He said the decision Cabinet took was to find a way to get Ameri Energy Group, the owners of Ameri Power Plant out of the contract and instead negotiate with Metka, a company which was operating the plant, by making the cost of the contract lesser. He explained that the committee started the negotiations and everything was going on smoothly. I’m the course of the negotiations, the committee members travelled to Dubai, UAE, to meet officials of Ameri Energy Group to continue the negotiation but said during one of the visits to Dubai, the officials of Ameri Energy Group became very hostile and he had to order the negotiations team to leave and return to Ghana. Mr Boakye Agyarko continued that during the period of renegotiation of the contract with Ameri Energy Group, he was onboard an aircraft at the Kotoka International Airport to Houston, Texas, USA when he received a telephone call from Mr Gabby Asare Otchere- Darko, a cousin of President Akufo-Addo lamenting that he had been trying to reach him but he (Agyarko) was not answering his calls. “I told him I was onboard a flight travelling. Then he (Gabby) told me that he was sending me a document via email so I should check. “When I arrived safely and went to my hotel room, I opened my email address and saw the document. To my surprise, Gabby had, on the blind side of the Committee set up and approved by the President to renegotiate with Ameri Energy Group, contracted a law firm to engage Ameri Energy Group and completed their negotiation and recommended a certain company to operate the Ameri Power Plant and extended the contract to 20 years. “I sent Gabby mail and asked him what authority he had to do that. And I told him Cabinet has given specific instructions to follow and his response was what makes me think that my Boss (President Akufo-Addo) doesn’t know about what he has done…so I kept quiet,” Mr Agyarko stated. According to Mr Agyarko, when he returned from the trip, he went to President Akufo-Addo and told him about what ensued between him and his cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko. He said President Akufo-Addo asked him what he thought was wrong about what Gabby has done and his response to him was that “the authority to renegotiate the terms of the Ameri Power Plant doesn’t lie in the hands of Gabby and that the proposal the firm he contracted had violated all the Cabinet instructions and extended the contract to 20 years.” He said President Akufo-Addo was satisfied with the explanation he gave, adding that he, however, requested him to forward the proposal by the law firm Gabby had engaged to the Chairman of the Committee and he did so. Based on President Akufo-Addo’s instruction, Mr Agyarko said he sent the document to Lawyer Philip Addison but upon receipt of the document, he flared up because he did not understand what was happening. Mr Agyarko revealed that a prominent person told the Committee that President Akufo-Addo did not support the renegotiation they were doing and that, Mr Agyarko said, discouraged the members of the Committee. Continuing, Mr Agyarko said he went to Parliament for a Ministry of Energy business and while in Parliament, the Member of Parliament for South Abuakwa, Lawyer Atta Akyea warned him not to set foot in Parliament to present the Addison Committee Report. Mr Agyarko said Atta Akyea said he would mobilise the whole House to walk him out if he set foot in Parliament. He said unknown to him, Mr Atta Akyea had already prepared the ground and so when he went to meet the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy and Finance, the MPs were very hostile and did not even offer him a seat. Mr Agyarko explained that President Akufo-Addo called the speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Aaron Ocquaye, and Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader, at the time Parliament was about to rise to make sure that the Ameri Power Plant Renegotiated Agreement was passed before the House rose for recession. He said when he arrived at Parliament, the Speaker told him that the mood in Parliament was not favourable so instead of seeking Parliamentary approval, they should go by Executive Approval. Given that, he called Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia since President Akufo-Addo was out of the country. He stated that the Vice President was at an event in Tamale and could not respond but the information was relayed to him and requested that the document be sent to him at home. Mr Agyarko said he sent four people led by one Michael Opam but they did not meet the Vice President at home. He said a lady who received them wanted them to leave the document, a request he said his messengers declined and so they returned the document. Mr Agyarko said the four people went to Dr Bawumia’s home for the second time and when they met him, they left the document with him to append his signature. Surprisingly, Mr Agyarko revealed that when they went back for the document, they noticed that Lawyer Nana Bediatuo Asante, Executive Secretary of President Akufo-Addo, had signed the document instead of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. When energynewsafrica.com reached him on WhatsApp for his response to the claims by Mr Boakye Agyarko, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko stated that he was not interested in commenting on the issue Background The Ameri Power Plant was procured during the John Mahama administration for US$510 million to increase the country’s energy capacity to meet the country’s energy demand. The agreement was signed in February 2015 under Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) after five years.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Russia Recycling Used Cooking Oil To Make Marine Fuel

Michael Creg Afful
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Russia Recycling Used Cooking Oil To Make Marine Fuel
Russia’s state-owned oil and gas company Gazprom has teamed up with Russia’s successor to McDonald’s, Vkusno & tochka, to make marine biofuel produced using waste cooking oil, Reuters has reported. Gazpromneft-Marine Bunker, Gazprom’s bunkering business subsidiary, says it was the first company in Russia to feed a vessel with marine fuel blended with biofuel. Moscow says it remains committed to climate goals despite facing heavy sanctions following its war in Ukraine. Last year, Gazpromneft-Marine Bunker sold over 200,000 tonnes of environmentally friendly marine fuel with sulfur content of less than 0.5%. This type of fuel is supplied to all the 35 Russian ports covered by the company. “The company has developed and launched industrial production of low-sulfur marine fuel well in advance of MARPOL-2020 requirements coming into force. The product with a sulfur content of less than 0.5% is produced at the company’s Moscow and Omsk Refineries as well as at Gazpromneft-Marine Bunker’s fuel terminals,” Aleksey Medvedev, General Director of Gazpromneft Marine Bunker has revealed. According to Medvedev, the share of low-sulfur marine fuels now exceeds 60% of the company’s total sales over the three-year period. Oilfield Services Giants Signal Weaker U.S. Shale Drilling Although fossil fuels dominate Russia’s current energy mix, the country is home to abundant and diverse renewable energy resources including wind, geothermal, hydro, biomass and solar. Practically all regions in the country have at least one or two forms of renewable energy that are commercially exploitable, while some are rich in all forms of renewable energy resources. According to the IEA, Russia’s volume of renewable energy with economic potential corresponds to about 30% of the country’s actual total primary energy supply. Some 179 TWh of Russia’s energy production comes from renewable energy sources, out of a total economically feasible potential of 1823 TWh. About 16% of Russia’s electricity is generated from hydropower, although less than 1% is generated from all other renewable energy sources combined. Roughly 68% of Russia’s electricity is generated from thermal power and 16% from nuclear power.     Source: Oilprice.com

Ghana: GRIDCo’s Northern Network Department Holds Capacity Building Training

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: GRIDCo’s Northern Network Department Holds Capacity Building Training
GRIDCo’s Northern Network Department (NND) has organised a two-day conference for operating supervisors in the Department to build their capacity. The conference which was on the theme: ‘Efficient and Effective Operation of the Power System, and Best Operating Practices’ brought together operating supervisors from the Kumasi, Techiman, Tamale, and Bolgatanga operational areas. It was chaired by the Director of the Northern Network Department, Ing Benjamin Ntsin. During the conference, Ing. Ntsin emphasised the significance of the operators’ work and its critical role in ensuring the sustainability of GRIDCo. He also assured attendees that prompt action would be taken to address issues raised during the conference. Notable participants at the conference were two retired Operating Chief Technician Engineers, Messrs Augustine B.S. Ennin and David Dadzie, who willingly offered to share knowledge and experiences gained whilst in active service [when they were approached]. Also in attendance were Ing. Bismark Anane, Network Maintenance Manager, Northern Network Department; Ing. Peter Acquah, the Kumasi Area Manager; Ing. Aaron Adjabeng, Manager of Transmission Assets; Mr Cyril M. King, the Chairman for the GRIDCo Operators’ Welfare Association (GOWA) and Mr Joseph Ennin, Operating Chief Technician Engineer, Northern Network Department and Programme Coordinator.       Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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