Uganda Starts First Oil Drilling

Michael Creg Afful
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Uganda Starts First Oil Drilling
Ugandan President H.E. Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday commissioned the East African nation’s first of four oil rigs to start drilling at the Kingfisher field on the shores of Lake Albert as the country eyes production in 2025. The three other rigs will be installed at Tilenga. Uganda discovered crude reserves estimated at 6.5 billion barrels, with 1.4 billion recoverable nearly two decades ago in the western region in the Lake Albertine basin, Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields. President Museveni switched on the rig – a LR8001 deluxe land rig – installed in November 2022 at the Pad-2 site at Buhuuka village, Kibuube District. It is operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and will start drilling 31 oil wells on four well pads. “The company is now commencing the drilling of production wells less than one year after the announcement of FID,” Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda said. “The drilling rig, which you have just switched on Your Excellency, will be used to drill all the planned 31 production wells of this oil field. 20 of these wells will be used to produce oil while 11 of the wells will be used to inject water in the reservoir to help improve production,” Rubondo explained. The brand new state of the art rig was specially designed for this field. It is the strongest that has been used in the country to date, with about 8000 horsepower and consuming about 6 megawatts of power. With Brent crude oil price trading at about $87.5 per barrel, the Kingfisher project will account for 15 percent of the total oil revenue to the government from upstream operations, equivalent to $6.9 billion for the entire project, or $360 million per year. The French TotalEnergies’ operated Tilenga Project – which will produce 190,000 barrels of oil per day – will account for 85 percent of the expected oil revenues. The rig at Kingfisher will drill oil wells at varying depths, the shortest of which is about 2.6 kilometres, while the deepest is 7.4 kilometres, said Mr. Rubondo, adding that the oil field extends about three kilometres into the lake. The project is expected to produce 40,000 barrels of oil per day in 2025, but CNOOC officials are optimistic they could deliver the first oil ahead of schedule. Uganda plans to export the oil and refine and support local petro-chemical based industrial projects.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Accra West ECG Intensifies Efforts To Deal With Fake Meters

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: Accra West ECG Intensifies Efforts To Deal With Fake Meters
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Ltd, Accra West Region, has intensified its campaign drive to crack down on users of fake meters with the launching of a campaign dubbed: ‘No to Fake Meters’. The campaign, which is in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, follows a pilot programme undertaken at Adeiso and surrounding areas in the Eastern Region in November 2022. The purpose of the ‘No to fake meters’ campaign, according to the Company, is to identify and arrest the syndicates behind the distribution of such meters and to stop the bleeding of the company’s revenue. Speaking to the media, the Regional Revenue Protection Manager and team leader of the campaign, Dr Mark Owusu Ansah described the fake meters as toys. “These fake meters are only heavy empty cases that look authentic at a glance,” explaining further that “there is no mechanism inside the meters to measure the energy consumed. A bar directly connects the output and input terminals, creating a direct connection in the device. “This means that the customer uses electricity without paying anything at all, leading to increased losses for ECG”. Communities identified for the exercise include Daman, Sakyikrom, Amoakrom, Duadekye, Ntoaso, Daaman, Akuamu, Nkyenkyen and Amanfrom. Last year, the West Accra Region recovered GH¢ 10,363,755 from 1,900 customers who were apprehended for engaging in various forms of illegal connections. These customers were surcharged for the power they used while some were tried in court for stealing power. Dr. Owusu Ansah revealed that this year, about 20,000 customers’ accounts would be remotely monitored to identify prepaid customers who do not purchase credits. These customers would be visited for a physical assessment of their meters. The West Accra Regional General Manager of ECG, Ing Ebenezer Ghunney warned customers to desist from using power without paying for it. He noted that the Company continues to invest heavily in the power distribution network and charged customers to abstain from stealing power, saying, this deprives the company of revenue and affects the quality of the power supply. The West Accra Region has eight operational districts, viz. Ablekuma, Achimota, Amasaman, Bortianor, Dansoman, Kaneshie, Korlebu and Nsawam.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Pakistan: Electricity Supply Fully Restored After Massive Blackout

Michael Creg Afful
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Pakistan has announced the restoration of power supply across the country after it was hit by a nationwide power outage Monday morning. The nationwide outage was reportedly caused by the breakdown of the country’s national grid system, leaving over 220 million people without power. However, in a post on Twitter on Tuesday sighted by energynewsafrica.com, the Pakistani Ministry of Energy wrote: “All 1112 grid stations within 24 hours nationwide.” Addressing the press on Tuesday, Pakistani Energy Minister, Khurram Dastgir blamed the power outage on a lack of investment in the network, saying the aid-dependant nation had “learned lessons” from the breakdown that left millions of people without electricity. “We learned lessons from yesterday (Monday) that we need to invest in the distribution system,” he said. “There hasn’t been any investment in improving these systems from the previous government,” he added. The International Monetary Fund has bailed out Pakistan five times in the last two decades. Its latest bailout tranche, however, is stuck due to differences with the government over a programme review that should have been completed in November. Pakistan has enough installed power capacity to meet demand, but the sector is so heavily in debt that it cannot afford to invest in infrastructure and power lines. China has invested in its power sector as part of a $60 billion infrastructure scheme that feeds into its “Belt and Road” initiative, but details of this investment are unclear. Dastgir said the cause of the outage was not yet known, but the ministry was conducting a safety audit of the entire network. “The government plans to add more power distribution lines within the next 36 months,” he added. Millions of Pakistanis suffer partial blackouts almost daily, including scheduled “load shedding” power outs aimed at conserving electricity.         Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Nigeria: No End In Sight For Nigeria’s Fuel Scarcity As Long Queues Continue Growing

Michael Creg Afful
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Nigeria: No End In Sight For Nigeria’s Fuel Scarcity As Long Queues Continue Growing
There appears to be no end in sight of the fuel shortages in Africa’s third largest oil producing nation, Nigeria, as Nigerians continue to form large queues at fuel stations. Last Friday, there were long queues at most fuel stations across the West African nation with the situation in Lagos being the worst, according to reports by local media. Amidst the fuel scarcity, local reports suggested that some stations increased the price of petrol to N185 per litre without official notification. According to a report by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the stations like Mobil, Conoil, TotalEnergies, Nipco, Enyo, Forte and NORTH-WEST adjusted their pump price to reflect N185 per litre against N169 previously. “Motorists who queued for several hours at filling stations operated by major marketers in Lagos were shocked to notice the adjustment of the pump price. “Many major filling stations in the Lagos metropolis, especially Ikeja and Agege areas were not dispensing. Only a few stations were dispensing while motorists scrambled to fill their cars,” the report said. While some marketers sold Premium Spirit (petrol) at N185 per litre, the report said some independent filling stations were rather selling PMS between N260 and N270 per litre along Ikorodu, Somolu, Bariga, Ikotun and Akran, Awolowo road. The report said sources within the marketers indicated that the Federal Government had begun the subsidy withdrawal, urging marketers to adjust their pump price. The marketers claimed that the government may have commenced a gradual removal of the petrol subsidy. The issue which threatens the country’s economy has become a major concern to many Nigerians, thereby, generating discussions on both mainstream and social media platforms. It is not yet clear what measures the country is putting in place to tackle the issue. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has denied claims that the Federal Government had approved increment for PMS. “President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any increase in the price of PMS or any other petroleum product for that matter. “There is no reason for President Muhammadu Buhari to renege on his earlier promise not to approve any increase in the price of PMS at this time. “Mr President is sensitive to the plight of the ordinary Nigerian and has said repeatedly that he understands the challenges of the ordinary Nigerian and would not want to cause untold hardship for the electorate. “This is not the time for any increase in pump price of PMS. “I appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and be law-abiding as the government is working hard to bring normalcy to fuel supply and distribution in the country,” the Minister said in a statement as carried by Punch.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

London: Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister To Engage Investors At Invest In African Energy Reception

Michael Creg Afful
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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has announced that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources of Nigeria, H.E Timipre Sylva will lead investment-focused dialogue during the Invest in African Energy Reception set to take place in London on January 26. With the Nigerian energy market on the precipice of another transformation on the back of diversification and market-driven policy implementation, the participation of Minister Sylva is key for securing new capital for Nigeria’s rapidly growing market, while enabling new players and financiers to expand their footprint in one of Africa’s biggest oil producing countries. Nigeria has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investment owing largely to the signing into law of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021. With the Act having overhauled the country’s regulation and governance, addressing key growth inhibitors by prioritizing transparency, procedural clarity and attractive fiscal terms for regional and international players, the Nigerian energy market is more enabling for business than ever, and the Minister will showcase opportunities in the sector during the Invest in African Energy Reception in London. The Act itself has already unlocked tangible benefits, with the country positioning itself as the biggest oil producer in Africa in 2023, despite a year of production declines owing to challenges associated with oil theft and reduced exploration. With the state-owned company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation identifying and shutting down an illegal pipeline responsible for the loss of up to 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, production has rapidly increased to approximately 1.2 million bpd in December 2022, setting the country up for an exciting year in 2023. The country is more ambitious than ever when it comes to expanding the oil and gas market even further, with the government incentivizing E&P activity in a bid to boost production levels further. As such, opportunities for upstream players have opened up and Minister Sylva will be making a strong case for hydrocarbon exploration during the reception in London. Opportunities in the oil industry, over 200 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven natural gas reserves – and opportunities to increase this figure to 600 tcf with advancements in exploration – have positioned the country as the destination of choice for financiers and project developers from across the natural gas landscape. At a time when global markets are urgently seeking alternative gas supplies in light of ongoing supply constraints, Nigerian gas has emerged as a top solution, and investors are encouraged to capitalize on the opportunities present across this rapidly growing market. However, Nigeria’s oil and gas market opportunities transcend exports, with the country well-positioned to feed into regional supply chains. Having signed a deal with Equatorial Guinea that would see Nigerian gas being processed at the country’s Punta Europa facilities while making steady progress to complete the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and breaking ground of new project developments, Nigeria is opening new opportunities for electrification and industrialization in Africa on the back of intra-African gas trade, made possible through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the progressing Central African Pipeline System. “Through his participation at the Invest in African Energy Reception in London – taking place in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank and Rystad Energy – Minister Sylva has made clear his commitment to securing new capital for a suite of large-scale projects across the entire energy value chain in Nigeria. During the event, the Minister will be driving market-focused dialogue on why investing in Nigeria is so critical, both for the African economy and for the global energy market at large. The London event provides financiers and energy players with the unique opportunity to directly engage and connect with a leading government representative from the biggest oil producer in Africa, and the AEC is encouraging all of those interested in expanding their footprint in Africa to join us at this high-level event,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.       Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

South Africa: Power Crisis Worsens As Eskom Hints Of Two Years Of Load-Shedding

Michael Creg Afful
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South Africa: Power Crisis Worsens As Eskom Hints Of Two Years Of Load-Shedding
South Africans would have to brace up for prolonged load shedding as the country’s power utility company, Eskom, has announced plans to implement permanent load-shedding for the next two years. Eskom chairman, Mpho Makwana, on Sunday, told the press that South Africans should expect continuous stage 2 to stage 3 power cuts for the next 24 months. “We want to create some predictability,” Makwana said, adding, “Shuttling from one stage to the other is never good.” The chairman’s statement was later clarified by the outgoing Eskom CEO, André de Ruyter that continuously implementing a specific stage of load-shedding would not be possible. “Higher stages might sometimes be necessary, and if Eskom’s generating unit breakdown situation improves, lower stages could be possible,” he said. The state-owned power utility’s power station general manager, Thomas Conradie, also expressed the hope to decrease day-time load-shedding to stage 1 in the coming week. Mr. Makwana said permanent load-shedding would form part of Eskom’s plan to increase its Energy Availability Factor (EAF) to a point where it could stop load-shedding within the next 24 months. “The global average for EAF is about 86%. We’re looking to grow from our current 58% EAF to 70% in the next two years,” Makwana said. Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter added that while there has been much speculation about stage 8 load-shedding, this is no longer a likely scenario. “The possibility of stage 8 load-shedding is receding, which is comforting and positive,” said de Ruyter. “However, there is always an inherent risk, and for that purpose, we have to protect our diesel reserves.”     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Pakistan: Massive Power Outage Leaves Over 220 Million People In Darkness

Michael Creg Afful
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Millions of Pakistanis have been left without electricity since Monday morning and currently sleeping in darkness following the breakdown of the country’s grid system. The nationwide power blackout has left about 220 million people, including those in major cities like the capital Islamabad and financial hub Karachi, without electricity. Senior officials reportedly blamed the aging grid infrastructure for the frequent power outages. In some parts of Islamabad, the capital, and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi, power was restored after eight hours, officials said. Local officials said the outage began in southern Sindh Province after an unusual fluctuation in the voltage. That led to a cascading failure at power plants throughout the country. Addressing a press conference, Pakistani Power Minister Khurrum Dastgir said that a “frequency variation” was reported in southern Pakistan on Monday morning, which resulted in the power outage. He, however, downplayed the issue, saying it was “not a major crisis,” even as the people’s concerns deepened as time passed by. Dastgir assured that power would be restored across the country by Monday night. The power breakdown caused a major disruption in daily activity. Internet and mobile phone services blinkered offline in intermittent outages across the country. Emergency generators helped some hospitals, government offices, schools, and airports continued to operate. “There was complete chaos in the hospital because of the power outage,” said Akram Shah, a 45-year-old textile worker who was accompanying his sick mother at the state-run Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in Karachi, according to report by New York Times. “Doctors asked most of the patients, who were at hospitals for surgeries, and tests, to come again tomorrow,” he added. People in several cities complained that they were facing water shortages as water pumps, which run on electricity, were not working. “We did not have water to wash the dishes, as water could not be pumped from the underground water tank to the overhead tank,” said Shafiqa Ali, a nurse, 45, who works in a private clinic in Karachi. “We could not book cars from the ride-hailing apps to send our children to schools.” Many shopkeepers used small generators to keep their lights on. But some people complained that they could not withdraw money from A.T.M.s because they had stopped working. Most people in the country use backup power devices in case of outages, but the small batteries of these devices often die when the outages last many hours. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the exact . Source: https://energynewsafrica.com  

Kuwait Cabinet Resigns Over Oil Wealth Spending

Michael Creg Afful
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Kuwait’s new Cabinet has resigned amid protests over a planned spending spree of the country’s oil wealth by the Assembly, which some fear would drain state coffers to the point of no return.  The Cabinet’s move to resign is meant to hinder the Assembly’s attempts to push through spending bills that would see the government buying back consumer loans and raising salaries and benefits, among other things.  The prime minister submitted the government’s resignation to the crown prince “as a result of what has become of the relationship between the executive and legislative authorities”, according to Kuwait’s KUNA news agency, citing a cabinet statement. This is the third cabinet formed by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Ahmed Al-Sabah since he took office in August last year. It is also Kuwait’s sixth government in three years. The parliament is led by opposition forces, which view ministers as corrupt and accuse them of mismanaging the country’s oil wealth. Appointed by the ruling family, the government has been at constant odds with the elected assembly, which is pursuing populist measures.  At the same time, the inability to keep a government in place has made it impossible to go through with any much-needed fiscal reforms.  While Kuwait boasts one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds and has very low debt with a surplus of around $23 billion in store and an economy that was set for almost 8% growth in 2022, according to Bloomberg, it’s falling far behind its peers–Saudi Arabia and the UAE in terms of non-oil economic growth.  According to OPEC’s December Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), Kuwait’s crude oil production fell sharply, by 35,000 bpd, compared to increases in other venues, including Nigeria, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.  As of 2020, Kuwait has 101.5 billion barrels in oil reserves.    Source: Oilprice.com

Ghana Reaffirms Support For ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana Reaffirms Support For ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority
Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Energy, William Owuraku Aidoo, has reassured the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) of Ghana’s support in its mandate to develop the regional electricity market. Hon. Owuraku Aidoo gave the reassurance statement while receiving an ERERA delegation led by its Chairman, Mr. Laurent Tossou, on January 13, 2023, at the Ministry of Energy in Accra. He said Ghana was deeply interested in the regional electricity market which, he described as critical to the energy supply and security in the ECOWAS region and would encourage any progress in market development. Decrying the current state of electricity trade in the region, the Deputy Minister called on the ECOWAS Member States to embrace the pooling of energy resources and explore the many benefits of the regional market, which among others, would help increase efficiency and lower prices for consumers. Following ERERA’s request to help facilitate its headquarters, Mr Aidoo said the Ministry of Energy would support the regional regulator in the process of securing its building, including helping to ensure a working environment conducive to its staff. Speaking earlier, Mr Tossou requested the support of Ghana, as a strategic partner, to help facilitate the launch of the second phase of the regional electricity market. He also informed the Minister of the next ERERA Regulatory Forum, which is to take place in Niamey, the capital of Niger, in June. The forum is a platform for exchanges between regulators and all players in the electricity sector in West Africa on current issues concerning energy security and the electricity market in West Africa. According to Mr. Tossou, the forum would be preceded by a meeting of ECOWAS energy ministers in Niamey.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Increment In Utility Tariffs Needed To Avert Power Crisis—PURC Justifies

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: Increment In Utility Tariffs Needed To Avert Power Crisis—PURC Justifies
The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC,) Dr. Ishmael Ackah has responded to those criticising the Commission’s decision to increase utility tariffs. Some individuals and civil society groups have raised concerns about the Commission’s decision to increase electricity and water tariffs by 29.96 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively. The increment is effective 1st February 2023. In a statement issued last Monday, the Commission said it took into consideration four key factors before arriving at the approved tariff for electricity. It said it considered the Ghana Cedi/US Dollar exchange rate, inflation, generation mix and weighted cost of average cost of natural gas. The statement explained that since the major tariff in August 2022, these key variables underlying the rate setting have changed significantly. However, responding to the concerns being raised despite the Commission explaining the basis for the hikes in the utility tariffs, Dr Ishmael Ackah, in a post on Linkedln defended the Commission’s decision to hike electricity and water tariffs. He said: “PURC does not take delight in increasing tariffs for no reason. We need to balance the need to keep the lights on whilst not burdening the consumer. For instance, we used a conservative exchange rate of 10 cedis to a dollar and inflation of 42 per cent. These are to help reduce the rate of increase whilst helping the utilities to stay afloat. “Please let us guide against misinformation,” Dr. Ackah advised.  Below is the response Dr Ackah shared on LinkedIn: The Quarterly Adjustment Personal Note PURC does not take delight in increasing tariffs for no reason. We need to balance the need to keep the lights on whilst not burdening the consumer. For instance, we used a conservative exchange rate of 10 cedis to a Dollar and inflation of 42 per cent. These are to help reduce the rate of increase whilst helping the utilities to stay afloat.
  1. 1. Four main factors were used in the tariff adjustment.
The exchange rate contributed about 65%. The remaining 3 factors- inflation, energy mix (hydro-thermal mix) and cost of natural gas contributed about 35%. We looked at the differences between the values of these variables at the last adjustment and projected for the next quarter. That is actual values for the current quarter plus a forecast of the next quarter.
  1. Hydro
There are four dynamics. (i) We have the legacy hydro versus other hydro sources
  1. On the legacy hydro, 18(l)(h) of Electricity Regulations, 2008, LL 1937 mandates the Electricity Market Oversight Panel (EMOP) Regulation to determine/approve the allocation based on a formula.
(iii). The legacy hydro is shared among: (a) Ghana Water Company Limited (b) Valco (c) Regulated market (which PURC uses) (d) Other Deregulated market (mines, export etc) The projected electricity supply from the legacy hydro is 6,800 GWh. Out of this, what goes to the regulated market is 4,617.01 GWh (67.9%) (What was used for the tariff). So not all the hydro generation come into the regulated market. The figures show a potential decline of both Bui and Akosombo since November 2022. Please let us guide against misinformation. The guidelines have been published (https://lnkd.in/dVcJad77). We have engaged the media and CSOs on this. The Gazette will be published by next week. We will continue to engage as we build sustainable energy and water sectors.        

Uganda: Members Of Parliament Want Electricity Vandalism Addressed Before Umeme Exit

Michael Creg Afful
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Government has been urged to expeditiously address vandalism of electricity transmission networks before the expiry of Umeme’s contract in 2025. Lawmakers on the Committee of Environment and Natural Resources said the increasing cases of vandalism under the country’s main electricity distribution company’s (Umeme) regime were causing government substantial financial loss that needs to be checked. “Vandalism on transmission lines and other electrical installations has been on a rapid increase with 175 cases registered between 2021 and 2022,” Hon. Emmanuel Otaala, the committee chairperson revealed. Otaala added: “For every tower vandalised, the replacement cost is Shs200 million. This causes financial losses since government needs to constantly replace lines, as well as the economy which is dependent on this network for delivery of electricity”. The chairperson was presenting the committee report on the budget framework paper for water, environment and energy sectors for the Financial Year 2023/2024, before the Budget Committee on Thursday, 19 January 2023. Buyaga West County MP, Hon. Barnabas Tinkasiimire, said vandalism could be an act of expression of disgruntlement by local communities that were neither compensated nor connected. “You need to investigate and find out what causes vandalism, in most cases it’s because the local people were not compensated during installation, or because of passing power lines on top of people’s homes when they are darkness,” Tinkasiimire said. Otaala further informed members that Uganda Electricity Distribution Company (UEDCL) has been mandated to take over the portfolio of Umeme immediately after its exit and asked government to finance UEDCL for a smooth transition. “This calls for strengthening of UEDCL before the takeover. Government should avail the necessary financing to ensure smooth transition and take over from Umeme,” Otaala said. The energy sector’s budget projection for the Financial Year 2023/2024 totals to Shs1, 211.7 billion. Otaala said the sector is expected to improve in the Financial Year 2023/2024 with the US$638 million Electricity Access Scale–Up Project (EASP) which commences in April 2023. The project is expected to make one million connections. “The project will target households, commercial enterprises, public institutions, mining centres and industrial parks; thereby creating demand of up to 500 MW,”  Otaala said. He further noted that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development was on course with the creation of Uganda National Electricity Company Limited (UNECL). A draft Structure for UNECL has been finalised and submitted to the Ministry of Public Service for onward action, he said. The Mawogola North County MP, Hon. Shartsi Musherure, asked government to look out for more projects that would increase electricity connectivity, cognisant that the one million connections planned under the EASP project is only a ‘drop in the ocean’. “We need to connect many more people. Instead of bringing one project that you want us to support, what else is there in the ministry that can help us to connect more?” she asked. Hon. Gorreth Namugga (NUP, Mawogola County South) urged the committee to exercise its oversight role and check the rampant cases of corruption in the energy sector.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: GRIDCo CEO Wants ERERA To Conclude Regional Transmission Tariff Approval Process

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: GRIDCo CEO Wants ERERA To Conclude Regional Transmission Tariff Approval Process
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), the power transmission company in the Republic of Ghana, Ing Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi, has called on Ecowas Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) to speed up the approval process of the ECOWAS Regional Transmission Tariff so that all stakeholders, especially transit countries involved in the regional trade in electricity can be appropriately compensated. According to him, the absence of an approved transmission tariff has created bottlenecks which impede power trade flows in the region. Ing. Essienyi appealed while receiving a four-member delegation from ERERA led by its Chairman, Mr Laurent Tossou, who paid him a courtesy call on 16th January 2023, at the GRIDCo headquarters in Tema, Ghana’s industrial city. Other members of ERERA’s delegation were Regulatory Council Member, Dr Haliru Dikko, the Head of Administration and Finance, Mr. Ofosuhene Apenteng-Takyiako, and Communication Officer, Mr. Uwem Thompson. Earlier, Mr. Tossou informed GRIDCo’s Chief Executive of the imminent launch of the second phase of the regional electricity market and requested a deeper collaboration with the company, considering its experience and strategic relevance to the development of the market. Both Heads of Institutions discussed issues of mutual interests relating to the power sector in the region. These included renewable energy, harmonization of national legal texts, data collection, infrastructural challenges and capacity-building programmes for power sector practitioners. ERERA is mandated to regulate cross-border trade in electricity in West Africa. As part of its functions, ERERA is to approve critical documents for the development of the regional power market. GRIDCo is to develop and promote the national grid to ensure competition in Ghana’s wholesale power market. Its specific functions include ensuring the transmission of electricity from wholesale suppliers, that is generating companies, to bulk customers; providing fair and non-discriminatory transmission services to all power market participants; as well as acquiring and managing assets, facilities and systems required to transmit electrical energy.       Source: ERERA

Ghana: BOST Distributes Educational Materials To 32 Schools In Central Gonja And Savelugu Districts

Michael Creg Afful
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The Bulk Storage and Transportation Limited Company (BOST) has commenced the distribution of exercise books to 32 basic schools in the Central Gonja and Sevelugu districts in the Savanna and Northern Regions as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to those communities. According to BOST, these communities are socially impacted by their operations and activities in the country. BOST currently has one of its busiest depots in Buipe in the Savanna Region and a Booster Station in Savelugu in the Northern Region. Thus, over years, the company took cognisance of the lack of adequate learning materials in schools around these communities. BOST, therefore, decided to provide much assistance in this regard to support families by providing their wards with exercise books to aid their academic development. So far, the company has provided the following schools in the Savanna Region with some learning materials: RC Primary School, RC JHSS, Ansuru-Deen EA Primary School,  Ansuru-Deen EA JHSS, Maranatha SDA Primary School, Maranatha SDA JHSS A, Buipe DA Primary School, Buipe Girls Model JHSS, Higher Height Primary School, Higher Height HJSS, English and Arabi Primary School, English And Arabic JHSS, Buipe Academy Primary School, Buipe Academy JHSS, Maranatha SDA JHSS B and Buipe JHSS. In the coming days, the following schools in the Savelugu District would be provided with exercise books: Bilsitua Ahmadidiya Primary School, Savelugu MA JHSS A, Savelugu JHSS B, Savelugu Experimental Primary School A, Savelugu Experimental Primary School B, Savelugu Experimental JHS. Eight more schools in the Debre area are also scheduled to receive their share of the exercise books by this weekend. Other schools in the company’s impacted areas in Bolgatanga in the Upper East, Kumasi in the Ashanti, Accra Plains Depot (APD) in the Greater Accra, Akosombo in the Eastern, and Mami Water in the Volta Regions are all due to receive theirs as the exercise progresses.        Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: WAPCo Resumes Gas Transportation From Its Takoradi Facility

Michael Creg Afful
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The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has safely and completed the valve replacement works at its Takoradi Regulating and Metering (R&M) Station and has resumed gas transportation to customers in Tema. WAPCo, on January 12, 2023, shut down the Takoradi facility to allow for the replacement of some critical valves at the facility aimed at securing the safety and integrity of the Takoradi Station. The replacement exercise was projected to last for 10 days. However, a statement issued by WAPCo on Friday, 20th January 2023, said the project team worked collaboratively with their contractors and stakeholders to ensure that the shutdown activities were safely and seamlessly executed and completed days ahead of schedule. “The early completion of the works is an outcome of the review and optimization of the execution strategy by WAPCo’s team and the Contractor. “WAPCo is grateful to the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), Ministry of Energy (MoE), the Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo), the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other key stakeholders for their support to minimise the impact of the shutdown on communities as well as the safe and successful execution of this project,” the company said.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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