Nigeria: Tinubu Okays Payment Of N2Trillion Legacy Debt To GenCos
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved payment of N2trillion as legacy debt for power generation companies, following threats by gas companies to declare force majeure in their operations.
The fund will defray legacy debts to gas companies to allow efficient gas supply to the power sector going forward.
Nigeria’s Minister for Power Adebayo Adelabu disclosed this at the BusinessDay Energy Conference in Lagos.
Mr Adebayo added that the federal government will commence the World Bank Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up, DARES, $750 million facility to increase access to electricity for 2.5 million people through the deployment of solar home systems and mini grids to households, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, throughout Nigeria, educational and health facilities.
“This is in addition to the recently concluded $550 million Nigeria Electrification Plan which has bridged the energy access deficit by providing electricity to over 1.1 million households, MSMEs, educational and healthcare facilities in unserved and underserved rural communities.
“We believe that the global shift towards renewable energy is not just an environmental necessity but also an economic one.
“Nigeria is blessed with abundant renewable resources, and we aim to continue tapping into these renewable sources to diversify our energy mix, reduce our carbon footprint, and ensure energy security.
“We have also secured a presidential approval to defray legacy debts to gas companies to allow efficient gas supply to the power sector going forward and a payment mechanism to address Generation Companies debts to ensure necessary maintenance are resolved and evacuation capacity optimisation.
“With this effort, we aim to not only increase our generation capacity but also improve the efficiency and reliability of our power supply,” Mr Adelabu said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Liberia: CEMENCO Connects To LEC Grid
CEMENCO Liberia has signed-up to be the largest customer to the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) by connecting its factory to the LEC grid that will now serve as the main source of its power generation.
At a ceremony to commemorate the commissioning of LEC to CEMENCO held in Monrovia on Wednesday June 5, a formal agreement was signed between the LEC and CEMENCO that is intended to increase revenue for the NEC and reduce production cost of CEMECO.
The partnership took effect by concretizing long months of hard work and cooperation between the two entities, according to a report by the Observer.
The ambitious agreement is the fruit of a joint effort to promote and strengthen the local electricity network.
The agreement also means the LEC will not only be able to increase its investment capacities, but also allow CEMENCO to reduce its dependence on generators.
According to Mr. William Ph. Gaignard, Managing Director of CEMENCO, said this progress is crucial to improving the reliability of the company’s electricity supply, an essential factor for the economic and social development of the country.
He also said, in addition to the progress, his company CEMENCO, will be able to benefit from renewable electricity which is essential in the company’s approach to reducing carbon emissions.
Said William Ph. Gaignard: “It is undeniable that this agreement goes beyond the simple supply of electricity. It also represents an exceptional opportunity for exchanges between our two companies.
CEMENCO, as a priority partner, must play a key role in obtaining the supply of cement and ready-mixed concrete for all LEC projects, with qualitative and quantitative offers but also with the best financial solutions.”
“Our focus is to do two things, which include getting customers legally connected to the grid, creating access to both private and public sectors and paying attention to the energy transition. We, at LEC, will be moving towards an energy transition that moves us to renewable energy.”
Speaking, Mr. Monie Captan, LEC’s chief executive officer, commended CEMENCO for the confidence and disclosed of the LEC plans to connect other large businesses and entities, including the Roberts International Airport (RIA).
He said, the LEC business strategy is to ensure that people using its service are metered and connected because, according to him, a survey has shown that 98% of people that were in illegal connections did not have meters and their strategy was to ensure that they metered them which has reduced commercial losses significantly.
“Expending the grid is a challenge for the government. In terms of poverty reduction, it is our mission to create access to electricity.
“We are carefully working to ensure more commercial entities get connected to the National grid. Today, CEMENCO joins a number of large customers including the US embassy.
“I also want to inform you that in a couple of weeks the Roberts International Airport (RIA) will also be connected to the LEC,” he added.
Mr. Captain also announced that, through the assistance of the World Bank, LEC are extending Mount Coffey, which has a resort capacity of 80-megawatt and they will be extending it to 148-megawatt.
“The financing is available, we are now working on the procurement process. We are also adding the first utility size solar plant to the LEC generation portfolio which is a 20-megawatt solar plant at mount Coffey and that will be available by the end of next year. We are moving heavily to renewable energy so going forward, every hydro project we pursue we want to have a complimentary solar plant.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com EU Set To Slap Up To 25% Additional Tariffs On China’s EVs
From July, the European Union is set to impose additional tariffs of up to 25% on imports of China-made electric vehicles as part of its investigation into anti-competitive Chinese subsidies for EVs, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, quoting sources familiar with the European Commission’s decision.
The Commission plans to slap provisional tariffs on imports of EVs made in China, depending on the car manufacturer and the extent of the competition-undermining subsidies the EU has identified in its ongoing investigation, according to FT’s sources.
The tariffs are set to raise more than $2.15 billion (2 billion euros) per year for the EU budget as Chinese sales of electric vehicles in Europe are growing, the FT notes.
France and Spain have spearheaded the decision to impose provisional tariffs, while Germany has opposed them arguing it would risk a trade war with China and ultimately make EVs more expensive.
German and other foreign automakers with production in China could also become subject to tariffs for their China-made vehicles in the EU. They also risk a Chinese retaliation with tariffs on other models in China.
EU member states are set to vote on tariffs on China-made EVs before early November.
France and Spain lead the effort to protect local EU manufacturing with tariffs, while Germany, Hungary, and Sweden are leading the opposition to the move, according to FT’s sources.
The EU launched in October 2023 anti-subsidy investigations into EU imports of EVs from China to determine whether the value chains in China benefit from illegal subsidies.
A potential EU tariff of 20% on China-made electric vehicles would cost China $3.8 billion worth of EV exports to the bloc, but it would also cost EU end-consumers “noticeably higher prices,” Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy said in an analysis last month
Source: Oilprice.com
Malawi: Illegal Electricity Connection Now Attracts K100 million Penalty Or 20 Years Jail
Malawi has prescribed stiffer sanctions for illegal electricity connection and meter tampering in its amended Electricity Act 2024, with an offender liable for 20 years imprisonment or a fine of K100 million(US$57,686.76).
Previously, an offender could be jailed for 10 years or fined MK5 million.
The amended Electricity Act 2024 which has been assented to by President Lazarus Chakwera is intended to stop vandalism and criminal activities being perpetrated by Malawians.
According to Sally Mtambo, Legal Director of Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), the company has suffered heavily due to vandalism.
She said this prompted them to take drastic steps to amend the law to reflect the severity of the offence.
She said from a general penalty of 10 years imprisonment and MK5 million fine, the new law provides K100 million and 20-year imprisonment for illegal connection or meter tampering or theft of electricity.
“K150 million and 25-year imprisonment if ESCOM/Licensee employee or former employee assists in electricity theft. The fine for denying access to premises for ESCOM/Licensee to carry out works is now at K50 million and 10 years imprisonment.
“Failure to carry out an order of the Licensee will cost K100 million and 20 years imprisonment.
“There is also 30 years imprisonment for non-fineable offences for vandalism and being found in possession of stolen equipment belonging to ESCOM/Licensee,” Mtambo said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Customs Seizes Petrol Worth N115 Million
Nigeria’s Customs Service has announced the seizure of 280,135 litres of petrol (PMS) valued at N115 million.
The products which were in gallons were seized in the West African nation during a seven-day operation, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this to reporters at a news conference on Monday in Yola, Adamawa.
This feat, Bashir Adeniyi said, was achieved through intensive operations by Operation Whirlwind which seized 105,950 litres while the Federal Operating Units and Marine Commands seized 120,185 litres respectively.
According to him, smuggling is a sabotage to the Nigerian economy, hence, the need for cooperation of security agencies and individuals to curb the menace.
“These activities, if left unchecked, could further deteriorate the country’s economic situation and exacerbate current foreign exchange challenges.
“The influx of unaccounted foreign currency could be channeled into funding illegitimate activities, including the support of non-state actors engaged in criminal activities against the Nigerian state.
“These issues have serious implications for national security, making it imperative to check, curtail and dismantle. Achieving this requires the cooperation and collaboration of patriotic agencies,” he said as carried by News Agency of Nigeria.
Mr Adeniyi said that Operation Whirlwind of the Customs Area Commands remained vigilant against illicit activities of smugglers targeting petroleum products.
The Customs boss said the nationwide operation was aimed at ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of fuel price deregulation in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
“Defend the national currency and reduce pressures that may be attributed to the activities of smugglers.
“Identify, dismantle and disrupt cartels of smugglers operating within the ecosystem. Raise awareness of the local communities and solicit their support to achieve these objectives,” he said.
Also speaking, Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI) of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), lauded the personnel over the development.
While describing cross border diversion of petrol as economic sabotage, Ukoha reiterated the commitment of the Service to collaborate with security agencies to end smuggling in the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Benin: Arrest Of Five Nigerien Spies Escalates Oil Export Row
The Republic of Benin has accused its neighbour, Niger, of sending secret agents to spy its Seme port where a Chinese-built pipeline was supposed to begin exporting Nigerien gas, before it was blocked by Beninese authorities last month.
A report by africanews.com, suggested that the arrest of five Nigerien nationals marked a new escalatory move in the standoff between the two ECOWAS neighbours.
Benin said the arrested individuals were agents of the military junta in Niger who were on a spying mission, while Niger denied a kidnapping attempt of its oil specialists who were inspecting the pipeline at the port.
Benin had conditioned any resumption of Niger’s oil exports through its ports by the reopening of land borders, which Niger closed in retaliation for ECOWAS sanctions following the military coup in the oil and uranium-rich country.
China said it would intercede to ease tensions between the two neighbours. However, no inroads have been made.
China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) invested $4.6 billion in Niger’s petroleum industry, and its subsidiary PetroChina owns two-thirds of the country’s Agadem oilfield.
Niger has obtained a $400 million loan from China that it plans to pay by shipping oil.
The loan is seen as one of the first steps to wean financial dependence on the West, with whom the military rulers are increasingly at odds going as far as breaking military cooperation partnerships.
The pipeline would help Niger increase production to 100,000 barrels, offering the landlocked country an export route.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Bulgarian Nuclear Plant Starts To Replace Russian Fuel
Bulgaria’s sole nuclear power plant on Monday began using atomic fuel produced by the U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Corporation, a key step as the country shifts away from its reliance on Russian energy, News.Az reports citing AFP.
The state-owned Kozloduy plant on the Danube River supplies more than a third of the country’s electricity and has so far relied on Russian fuel for its two operational Soviet-built 1,000-megawatt reactors.
The oldest reactor was connected to the national electricity grid on Monday morning after “43 fuel assemblies, produced by Westinghouse, were loaded into the reactor,” the plant said in a statement.
The gradual transition process toward the new fuel type is expected to take four years, it added.
In the wake of Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Kozloduy signed nuclear fuel supply agreements with Westinghouse and Framatome — a subsidiary of French energy giant EDF — to replace shipments from Russia.
Before the full-scale invasion, Bulgaria, which is a member of both NATO and the EU, depended almost entirely on Russian energy supplies, but it has since diversified.
The Kozloduy plant’s second reactor is due to be supplied with Framatome’s fuel. In addition, two U.S.-built nuclear reactors are to be installed at Kozloduy by the 2030s.
The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary have also signed nuclear fuel supply agreements with Westinghouse and Framatome.
Source: New.az
Kenya: REREC To Spend KSh 2.1 Billion To Provide 14,500 Households With Electricity In Mt. Kenya
Over 14,000 households and public facilities including schools, hospitals and markets in the Mount Kenya Region in the Republic of Kenya are expected to be connected to the national Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
REREC is hoping to spend KSh2.1 billion under the programme.
The counties slated to benefit from the programme include Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nyeri, Embu, Meru, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi and Marsabit. In Murang’a, more than 6,000 households in rural areas are set to be connected to electricity in the drive.
“Sh434 million will be used in Murang’a County, where 87 power projects are being implemented to attain last-mile electricity connections.
“The projects are at various stages of completion, and by the next financial year, all the slated 6,000 households will be connected to electricity,” REREC Director Mark Nderitu said during the weekend.
The director underscored the government’s commitment to attaining 100 per cent power connection shortly.
Electricity, he noted, would spur social and economic development in rural areas, saying education would benefit as students would get more time for studies.
“The power connection will go a long way in improving people’s lives, especially those in rural areas. Access to electric power at markets, hospitals and other social amenities will increase working hours,” he added.
Nderitu continued, “Residents will now be able to make use of technology and fit their homes with appliances that will make their lives easier, and children will no longer depend on kerosene lamps to do their homework.”
On the Rugongo Ruraya power project which serves residents in tea-growing areas of Kigumo, the director revealed that 785 households are set to be connected.
“In the first phase of this Kigumo project, 270 households would get connected, and in the second phase, slated to commence the next financial year, 515 homes would be linked to electric power,” he remarked.
Tea farmers, the Director added, would benefit hugely from the power connection as they were unable to sell their green leaf at night, thus, incurring huge losses.
“Tea farmers from this region were unable to sell their produce at the tea buying centre at night and would lose kilos, but with power, they can sell their tea at any time.
The installation of electricity has transformed their lives,” he stated.
Nderitu urged various development partners, including the National-Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) and county governments, to allocate funds and support electrification programmes to accelerate rural electrification in priority areas.
Meanwhile, Nderitu decried increased vandals of power infrastructure, saying they have been a major setback to the government’s bid to improve power connectivity in the last few years.
“Sometimes, we launch a project, and in a week, vandals come in and steal the cables and poles. Luckily, police units have been set up in various areas to stem the vandalism and we appeal to members of the public to guard the infrastructure as their assets because they suffer the most when it is vandalised,” said the Director.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.comGhana: ECG Training Centre, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Hold Seminar In Tema
The Training Centre of the Electricity Company of Ghana, in collaboration with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), has organised a one-day seminar on innovative solutions and ideas which are aimed at improving modern trends in power systems for the electricity distribution sector in the sub-region.
Experts and professionals at the seminar held discussions on transformer monitoring and control, microgrid power plant controller application, as well as powerful computing and software for distribution management.
Other areas covered were using travelling waves to locate faults on transmission lines.
The seminar was held on 5th June 2024 at the ECG Training Centre in Tema.
In his keynote address, the Centre’s Director, Ing Godfred Mensah, encouraged participants to “take advantage of the seminar and show enthusiasm towards the knowledge to be shared.”
The SEL team was led by Mr Sthit Sharma who took participants through the various topics of discussion.
He was supported by Mr Vinay Singh and Mr Herbert Martin.
There was an open session where participants shared their experiences, asked questions and made suggestions on the technologies that had been discussed.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: VRA Looks To Developing 3500MW Solar In Ten Years
Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana’s state-owned largest power generation company, is envisioning to develop about 3500 Megawatts peak of solar as part of efforts to diversify the company’s energy sources.
Currently, VRA has developed solar project in Kaleo and Lawra in the Upper West and Navrongo in the Upper East Region, with a total capacity of 37.04MWp.
The Director for Water Resources and Renewable Energy, Ing Abdul Noor Wahab, disclosed this at a training programme organised by Energy News Africa Limited for selected journalists in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
According to him, the Authority is looking to developing the 3500MWp in line with its ten years’ development plan.
VRA operates the Akosombo and Kpone Hydro Dams with a total capacity of 1180MW and Thermal Power Plants with a total capacity of 1330MW.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: VRA Plants 2,500 Seedlings To Mark Green Ghana Day
Ghana’s largest state-owned power generation company, Volta River Authority (VRA), last Friday, June 7, 2024, organised a tree-planting exercise across all its work locations to commemorate this year’s ‘Green Ghana Day’.
Held under the theme: ‘Growing for a Greener Tomorrow’, the initiative saw the planting of 2,500 seedlings, symbolising the Authority’s dedication to sustainable practices and environmental conservation.
Aligned with national efforts to combat deforestation and mitigate climate change, the exercise also sought to amplify the Authority’s commitment to ensuring development.
The Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Chief Executive (Finance), Dr Ebenezer Tagoe, underscored the significance of the exercise, emphasising the intrinsic link between environmental sustainability and VRA’s core mission of powering national development.
“This undertaking is more than an environmental stewardship; it reflects our unwavering commitment as guardians of national development and proponents of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he remarked.
The exercise also served as a catalyst for environmental education with participants receiving guidance on tree planting and care.
As the seedlings take root and flourish, they stand as tangible reminders of VRA’s pledge to champion sustainability and pave the way for a greener and environmentally sustainable Ghana.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Renewable Energy To Dominate Italy’s Power Generation Mix By 2035, Says GlobalData
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a profound impact on the global energy market.
The over reliance of European nations on Russian fossil fuels has posed a significant challenge to supply security.
Italy, as one of the largest importers of natural gas, sourced 40% of its gas from Russia until 2021.
However, in 2022, Italy reduced its dependence on Russian imports to 19% of its total natural gas imports.
Against this backdrop, Italy is projected to achieve a cumulative installed capacity of 162.7GW from renewable sources by 2035, with the share of renewables increasing to 69% in its power capacity mix, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest report, “Italy Power Market Size, Trends, Regulations, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2024-2035” reveals that Italy is expected to have 107.7GW of renewable capacity by 2030, with the share of renewables in total annual generation reaching around 59% by 2030.
Sudeshna Sarmah, Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The severe drought in 2022 significantly impacted Italy’s power market, as hydropower generation decreased from 31.2TWh in 2021 to 13.7TWh in 2022.
In the absence of nuclear power, the country increased its thermal power generation by 8.4%, rising from 163.4TWh in 2021 to 177.1TWh in 2022. Additionally, electricity imports reached a total of 47.4 TWh.”
In 2022, the Italian government introduced the “National Plan for the Containment of Natural Gas,” aimed at reducing the country’s natural gas consumption. As a supplementary measure, Italy has begun importing natural gas from Azerbaijan, Algeria, and Libya.
While this provides temporary relief, the nation must focus on enhancing its renewable energy capacity to achieve self-sufficiency.
In 2023, Italy revised its renewable energy generation objective, setting a new target of achieving 65% by 2030.
Sarmah adds: “The upgrade of renewable targets should also come up with robust measures and a clear roadmap with definitive objectives to achieve them and overcome its dependency on natural gas and electricity imports.”
Sarmah concludes: “Italy remains committed to eliminating coal-powered plants by 2025. The government aims to strengthen its national grid and prioritize the swift development of renewable energy sources. Additionally, the country is expected to revise its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).
” The current target outlined in the NECP is to reach 93.2GW of renewable power capacity by 2030, with solar PV systems expected to contribute 50GW and wind power slated to provide 19.3GW.”
Source: https:// energynewsafrica.com
South Africa: Lobby Group Seeks To Halt NERSA’s Pending Electricity Tariff Hikes
South Africa-based lobby group, AfriForum, has hinted about its plans to go to the law court to stop the country’s electricity regulator, NERSA, from increasing its electricity tariff.
Municipalities have applied for an electricity tariff increment and it is scheduled for implementation on the 1st of July.
A High Court order from October 2022 and the Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006, both require that mandatory cost studies are undertaken before any increment in tariff. However, it appears that that has not been done.
In a statement, AfriForum accused NERSA of not complying with the court order as they have sent a communication to municipalities where they are now providing municipalities with a new revenue requirement template that they can use when applying for rate increases–instead of the cost of supply study as the court ordered.
“The use of an approved template rather than the cost of supply study is a concern as it could mean that Nersa acts contrary to the court order. We are looking for verifiable figures to indicate what municipalities’ rates should be.
A cost of supply study is the starting point to steer municipalities and Nersa in the right direction,” Morné Mostert, AfriForum Manager of Local Government Affairs, said in a statement.
“For the past decade, there was a responsibility of municipalities to set up what they call or what the act calls a cost of supply studies basically, a study that informs you on what the exact tariff is that the municipality can ask Nersa.
Remember that municipalities make a profit from selling electricity, so it’s very important for us the consumers to understand what tariff they charge you,” he added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: CBOD Members Plant Resilient Trees To Mark Green Ghana Day
The Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) last Friday contributed to the national effort of restoring the West African nation’s forest cover by planting trees.
In 2021, President of Ghana H.E Nana Akufo-Addo initiated Green Ghana day and has since become an annual event where citizens are rallied to plant trees.
In commemoration of this year’s Green Ghana Day, 50 members and officials of the Chamber participated in a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve near Agomeda in the Eastern Region.
The Chamber’s members planted a diverse range of trees, including acacia, cassia, and mahogany, all of which are well-suited for environmental restoration efforts.
These resilient species not only contribute to increased forest cover but also promote biodiversity and soil health.
Speaking in an interview Chief Executive Officer of CBOD, Dr. Patrick Ofori said: “We are dedicated to ensuring the long-term success of this initiative. We are committed to a “maintenance culture” for the planted trees.
He said CBOD will collaborate with the Forestry Commission and revisit the planting site every quarter to monitor the progress of the trees and implement any necessary maintenance measures.”
The Chamber believes that planting trees aligns perfectly with Ghana’s national goals for environmental sustainability and public well-being.
“Healthy forests provide numerous benefits, including improved air and water quality, reduced soil erosion, and increased habitat for wildlife,” Dr Patrick Ofori said.
Through this initiative and others like it, CBOD strives to be a responsible corporate citizen, contributing to a greener and healthier Ghana for future generations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com