Kenya’s power utility company, Kenya Power, has announced a plan to invest up to KShs.258 million in the next three years to drive the uptake of electric vehicles in the East African nation.
This investment will include the cost of setting up charging stations at various locations across the country and the purchase of electric vehicles and motorbikes to aid company operations.
In a statement issued on Monday, April 22, 2024, the company revealed that it had launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging station located at Stima Plaza at a cost of KShs.6.5 million as part of the planned investments in e-mobility.
“The charging station comprises two chargers; a 50kW DC (one hour charging time) and a 22kW AC (two hours charging time) charger.
“It is the second EV charging station that is owned by Kenya Power after a similar one that is located at the Ruaraka Depot which hosts the company’s transport section,’’ the statement explained.
In addition to the EV charging station located at Stima Plaza, Kenya Power will install nine other charging stations by the end of July 2024 at the company’s various offices across the country including; Donholm, Nakuru, Mombasa, Mtito Andei, Kisumu, Eldoret, Roysambu, Electricity House Nairobi and Ragati.
Commenting on the initiative, the Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Power, Eng Joseph Siror said, “The future of transport is electricity and as a company, we are very excited to be leading the conversations around E-mobility.
Alongside our need to charge our electric vehicles, we intend to use our EV charging stations to collect data that will inform the next steps of our support to the growing E-mobility industry.
“We have set aside an annual budget of KShs20 million to set up EV charging stations at all our offices across the country. Beyond the additional charging stations that we intend to put up in the current financial year, we intend to install 10 additional facilities annually in 2025 and 2026,” Dr Siror further said.
Alongside the EV charging station, Kenya Power has also launched two electric heavy-duty vehicles that would be deployed for routine operations.
The vehicles were purchased for KShs18 million.
The company intends to scale the number of electric vehicles in its fleet through the purchase of additional non-electric vehicles (heavy and light duty) and 25 electric motorcycles by the end of December 2024.
In 2021, Kenya Power completed the pilot of 13 electric motorcycles in its fleet in partnership with UNEP, an exercise that offered invaluable lessons on E-mobility.
Before this exercise, the company piloted the use of electric-powered forklifts and pallet stackers at its warehouses for two years between the year 2016 and 2018.
The company is now implementing the E-mobility tariff that was approved by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority during the recent electricity tariff review as part of its initiatives to drive the uptake of electric vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
To further accelerate the uptake of E-mobility, the company has championed the annual E-mobility Conference that brings together players in the industry to deliberate on a framework that would promote the growth of the sector.
Source: https:// energynewsafrica.com
The Gambian National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) with funding from the World Bank has laid a foundation stone for a US$66 million electricity project called ECOREAP, which will electrify over 298 communities in the West African nation.
The ceremony was held in Jarra Soma at the OMVG substation on Friday, April 19, 2024.
The Point Newspaper reported that The World Bank Task Team Leader Ms Elise Massan Akitani, speaking at the ceremony stated that there is no development in the dark.
“We have come together with the government to put this project together which is a series of projects and the Gambia is one of the pioneers,” she said.
She thanked the project implementation unit for the additional communities.
“The project will cover almost all parts of the country. We hope that by the end of the year, all the identified communities will receive the energy as promised.”
The Managing Director of NAWEC, Gallo Saidy, described the project as something that would set a legacy for NAWEC for the next generation.
He urged for both timely and quality implementation of the project to make it long lasting.
He called for collective collaboration of all and sundry for the development of The Gambia.
The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Rohey John Manjang, revealed that the project was supposed to be completed in December 2023, but has been extended to October 31st 2024.
She thus called on the contractor not to kill the hopes of Gambians.
“We hope this is the last extension, and the work be completed before October 31st because the people have been waiting for far too long,” she stressed.
ECOWAS Director of Energy and Mines, Mr. Bayaornibe Dabire, said in line with the ECOWAS vision 2050, it is the ECOWAS of the people; shared prosperity for all.
“This means we have to do our best to contribute to socioecomic development of the regions and in line with this socioeconomic development we should know that electricity is very important for economic development.”
He highlighted that electricity access is a huge challenge in the ECOWAS region since 56% among the region do not have access to energy.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Gambian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Neo Themis, a Morocco-based leading renewable energy project developer in sub-Saharan Africa to develop a 10.5 solar project in rural areas of the West African nation.
The project is in line with the government and the Ministry’s goal of universal energy access to all The Gambians by 2025.
The MoU was signed last week at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
The project is expected to connect over 22,600 people to the grid.
It also aims to mitigate approximately 39,600 metric tons per year of CO2 emissions, contributing significantly to global efforts in combating climate change.
Hon. Nani Juwara (middle) Minister for Petroleum and Energy (MoPE)
Speaking at the signing ceremony, attended by government officials and the management team of Themis, the Minister for Petroleum and Energy, Hon. Nani Juwara expressed his confidence in Neo Themis’ abilities to deliver, and emphasised the pivotal role of renewable energy in achieving The Gambian 2030 vision and ensuring universal clean and affordable energy access for all The Gambians.
Mrs Tas Anvaripour, CEO of Neo Themis, thanked the Minister and all teams involved for their continuous support in achieving this milestone in the country’s renewable energy journey.
“Neo Themis is honored to partner with The Gambian Government on this innovative and pioneer project for the country. The MoU is committing Neo Themis to bring its expertise and fast-track the project implementation to make it a visible success.
“This partnership underscores the confidence placed in Themis’ effectiveness in implementing strategic energy infrastructure solutions in Africa. Themis is proud to be at the forefront of sustainable development in The Gambia and looks forward to delivering tangible, lasting benefits to the country,” she said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, inaugurate a 15MW peak solar plant at Kaleo in the Upper West Region.
It is the second phase (II) of the first phase of the 13MW peak solar project executed by the Volta River Authority, which was inaugurated in August 2022 by President Akufo-Addo.
This second phase brings the total capacity of solar projects executed in the area to 28MW.
The project was funded by the German Development Bank (KFW).
The project adds to the company’s 6.5MW peak solar power plant at Lawra, 2.5MW peak at Navrongo, and 80kW rooftop solar at its headquarters in Accra.
Since 1961 when the nation started commercial production of electricity, almost all the generation assets, except the Bui Hydropower plant, have been located in the middle and southern parts of the country.
The Volta River Authority has been one of Ghana’s main vehicles for improving access to electricity and related developments, particularly in the northern parts of the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, says the implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) policy will improve safety in the distribution of LPG and bring it closer to the people.
Besides, he said the policy would remove barriers in the distribution of LPG and make it more efficient and less costly in the delivery of LPG to homes.
Dr Abdul-Hamid made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by Dr Joseph Wilson, Director of Research Monitoring and Evaluation of the NPA, at a consumer sensitisation programme on the (CRM) at the Catholic Social Center in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, Wednesday.
Chaired by the Upper East Regional Chairman of GPRTU, Mr Fatau Atinga, the programme brought together key stakeholders and experts to share valuable insights.
The Director of Gas at the NPA, Mrs Akua Ntiwaa Kwakye, who gave the welcome address, set the tone for the event and highlighted the significance of the LPG industry in Ghana.
In a presentation on CRM, the Head of Gas and Commercial Regulation Department of the NPA, Mr Obed Kraine, gave comprehensive insights into CRM and shed more light on the policy and how it is going to be run.
Participants inquired about the assurance of receiving the exact amount of gas they pay for when exchanging their cylinders.
Mr Kraine said: ‘The CRM policy includes robust measures to ensure transparency and accuracy in the exchange process. Cylinder exchange points will have mechanisms in place to verify the weight of the cylinders, preventing any discrepancies and ensuring that consumers receive the full value of their purchase.”
Again, concerns were raised about potential unemployment due to the implementation of CRM but Mr Kraine debunked that assertion, saying, “It is important to note that the transition to the CRM model aims to create new job opportunities in the LPG value chain.
“Additional personnel will be required for cylinder distribution, maintenance and related services,” he noted.
To further emphasise safety measures, the Ghana National Fire Service conducted a demonstration to showcase the appropriate actions to take in the event of an LPG-related incident.
Participants were provided with crucial safety tips to ensure the safe handling and usage of LPG.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Monday $7 billion in grants to help more than 900,000 low-income households to install residential solar power, the White House said.
President Biden marked the Earth Day by traveling to Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia, and highlighted the Administration’s progress “in tackling the climate crisis, cutting costs for everyday Americans, and creating good-paying jobs,” the White House said.
The $7 billion in grants will come from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All grant competition, a key component of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
The selectees under the competition are expected to deliver residential power to more than 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities, saving households more than $350 million in electricity costs annually, or about $400 per household, according to the White House.
The rooftop solar program will also help avoid more than 30 million metric tons of carbon pollution over the next 25 years.
EPA has received 150 applications, and 60 applicants were selected through a robust multistage review, Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe said in a call with reporters.
U.S. solar installations surged in 2023, as solar accounted for over 50% of new electricity capacity added to the grid, for the first time in history, the annual solar market review of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie showed earlier this year.
However, the biggest residential solar market in the U.S., California, has seen major policy changes in the way the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will compensate rooftop solar customers for the excess energy they generate. This decision moved the state from retail rate “net metering” to a new “net billing” structure that cuts the value of rooftop solar credits by about 75%.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has been a subject of debate regarding its privatisation for years or otherwise.
Proponents argue that privatization could improve efficiency and service delivery, while critics express concerns about potential drawbacks.
Truth be told, privatisation of ECG will not be the optimal solution and advocates for sustainable public ownership.
History in focus
Before the privatisation of ECG to Power Distribution Services (PDS), ECG was honoring over 80% of the monthly invoices owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and has kept our operations fluid.
However, following the privatisation, a drastic shift occurred: ECG ceased receiving any revenue, leaving it unable to fulfill its financial commitments to the IPPs, and accumulated debt to over US$1.8 billion at the time.
The calls for the privatisation of the ECG must be driven not by some imaginary ideal type organisation that will overcome all of its challenges just because it is privatised.
As a country, we have gone that path many times in the past, but what has been the effect on those organisations??
The debate over the privatisation or otherwise of the ECG should take into consideration the following facts;Importance of Reliable Electricity:
Electricity is a vital component of economic development, powering industries, homes, and essential services. In Ghana, ensuring reliable electricity supply is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals and improving living standards.Challenges of Privatisation:Profit Maximization vs. Public Service: Privatisation often prioritizes profit maximisation over public service. Private companies may focus on affluent areas, neglecting rural and low-income communities.
Tariff Increases: Privatisation can lead to tariff hikes, burdening consumers, especially those with limited purchasing power.
Job Losses: Private ownership may result in workforce reduction, exacerbating unemployment and social challenges.
Infrastructure Neglect: Private investors may prioritize short-term gains, neglecting long-term infrastructure investments necessary for national development.
Lessons from Other Privatisations:Water Privatisation in Ghana: Previous attempts to privatise water utilities in Ghana led to service deterioration, tariff hikes, and public backlash, ultimately resulting in re-municipalization.
Global Examples: International experiences with utility privatization have shown mixed results, with instances of failure and renationalization due to service quality concerns.
Alternative Solutions:Efficiency Improvements: Enhancing ECG’s operational efficiency through modernization, technology adoption, and capacity building can improve service delivery without privatization.
Regulatory Reforms: Strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure accountability, transparency, and consumer protection is crucial for enhancing utility performance.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborative models that combine public ownership with private sector expertise can harness efficiency gains while safeguarding public interests.
Sustainable Public Ownership:Community Engagement: Empowering communities in decision-making processes ensures that electricity provision aligns with local needs and priorities.
Investment in Human Capital: Investing in ECG’s workforce and equipping them with necessary skills enhances service quality and fosters organizational resilience.
Long-Term Planning: Adopting a strategic approach to infrastructure development and service provision ensures sustainable electricity access for future generations.
Privatisation of ECG may seem appealing, but it poses significant risks to equitable access, affordability, and service quality.
Instead of pursuing privatisation, Ghana should focus on strengthening the governance structure of ECG and the sector as a whole (an all inclusive representation on the board of ECG), public ownership, regulatory oversight, and community engagement for responsible consumption( as a patriotic duty to pay for energy used), to achieve sustainable electricity provision.
Learning from the past experiences and embracing innovative solutions, Ghana can overcome the challenges of energy delivery while fostering inclusive development for all its citizens.
Recommendation to maintain public ownership of ECG
Your Excellency,
I humbly recommend maintaining public ownership of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) amidst calls for privatization.
Privatisation may risk the accessibility, affordability, and stability of electricity services, crucial for national development.
By retaining public ownership, we ensure accountability, equitable access, and strategic governance control over a vital national asset.
This decision aligns with the commitment to serving the best interests of all citizens and safeguarding Ghana’s energy future. If the conditions that were given to PDS at the time can be made available to the current state of ECG, with a reformed board composition, there will turn around in 3 months.
Source: Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor CEO, Independent Power Generators, Ghana.
Huawei, the globally acclaimed digital, technological and innovations solutions company, held its maiden Fusionsolar Channel Partner Summit in Accra, the capital of Ghana, West Africa, on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
The tech giant has held similar summit in Tanzania, Nigeria and South Africa, all in Africa.
Delivering a welcome address, the Managing Director of Huawei for the Ghana Office, Mr Tommy Liang, said his outfit would use its partnership in Ghana to help solve the energy challenges confronting consumers of energy in the country.
According to him, Huawei would adopt efficient but workable and internationally recognisable strategies to infuse high standardised solar products to solve Ghana’s energy problems.
“We are committed to the use of technologically driven solutions to improve lives, businesses and the general well-being of the Ghanaian economy,” Lian assured Ghana.
The Director in-charge of Sub-Saharan Africa Digital Power for Smarter PV Development at Huawei, David Brian, assured that their Fusionsolar products thrive on safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness and high performance standards.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to patronise their products to solve the erratic power supply in their various homes.
The Vice President of Huawei Digital Power, in-charge of Eastern African Region, Nick Lusson, was of the view that in the last five years, the prices of diesel and national grid keep increasing, whilst that of solar keep decreasing, thus, making it the convenient alternative for all categories of energy users.
Among the advantages of their solar products, he mentioned that they are cheap, easy to use and maintain high performance standards, among others.
The programme was attended by solar industry players in Ghana and other stakeholders.
At the end of the summit, Verve Energy was rewarded with Gold Partnership certificate and Soi Power received the Silver Partnership award.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo has commended the Management of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and their engineers for successfully relocating and re-installing the six units of the Ameri Power Plant with a total generation capacity of 150MW at Anwomaso near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The Ameri Power Plant, which is on wheels, was located at Aboadze in the Western Region, but GRIDCo recommended that it should be relocated to the middle belt of the West African nation to ensure the stability of the grid since most of the power plants were located in southern Ghana, thus, posing transmission challenges.
Genser Energy, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, was engaged to construct gas pipeline infrastructure from the Western Region to Anwomaso for the power plant to utilise the domestic natural gas process from the Western Region.
The Volta River Authority started ground preparation and installation of the components of the plant and completed the exercise few weeks ago.
On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, President Akufo-Addo inaugurated the plant amidst jubilation by residents of Kumasi and surrounding towns.
President Nana Akufo-Addo commended engineers of VRA who worked tirelessly to install the plant.
“They have demonstrated that Ghanaian engineers, from a publicly-owned institution, can rise up to the task of finding engineering solutions to build our nation,” he said.
Congratulating GRIDCO, ECG and GNPC for the respective roles they played in bringing the project to fruition, the President found it even more gratifying to note that “the gas transmission infrastructure for this power station was constructed from Prestea to Anwomaso through a collaboration between the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) and Genser Energy Ghana Limited, a dynamic Ghanaian-owned energy company.”
He concluded with an appeal to the investor community to take advantage of the improved electricity supply and put up viable commercial structures that would utilise the resources within the middle and northern belts to ramp up the government’s industrialisation agenda, thereby, accelerating the growth and development of the country.
On his part, the Board Chairman of VRA, Kofi Tutu Agyare, said the Authority is aware that the nation’s industrialisation agenda is directly tied to affordable and reliable electricity supply.
According to him, the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station, which is the first power plant in the region, would spur industrialisation and economic growth in the middle and northern parts of the country.
While acknowledging the hard work of the staff of VRA, Mr Tutu Agyare mentioned that the staff of the Authority worked day and night including weekends, to make sure that the project was completed on time.
“Through our financial recovery and sustainable management practices, we managed to internally raise millions of dollars required to fund the various stages of the project,” he said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Governing Board of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is contesting the Gh¢5,868, 000 fine imposed on them by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), a body regulating electricity and water utilities in the Republic of Ghana.
The Board mounted a spirited rejection of the fine in a statement issued by their lawyers, S.K. Boafo&Co.
The lawyers contended that the PURC overstepped its bounds by targeting the board members.
They argued that the Commission’s legal mandate allows it to impose fines on the company itself (ECG) as a public utility, not on its board members.
The lawyers argued further that since the board members are not directly involved in the day-to-day operations, they cannot be held responsible for the company’s actions.
“It is patently clear that under the said provision, the Commission can only impose a regulatory charge on a public utility. The Commission does not have the power/authority to purport to impose any regulatory charge on officers of the public utility.
“The Commission in purporting to impose the said regulatory charges on the Board Members of ECG exceeded their jurisdiction as it is not within their powers/authority to do so.
“It must also be stated that the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited as a corporate body has a legal personality that is distinct from its Board Members. This is the very foundation of Company Law. The officers of the company cannot be held liable for the acts of the company.
“Lifting the veil of incorporation to go after the officers of the company can only be done in exceptional cases and can only done by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“The Commission’s lack of jurisdiction, power and/or authority to lift the veil of incorporation in the instant matter to purport to impose regulatory charges personally on the Board Members of ECG is strengthened by the provisions of Sections 38 & 42 of The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act, Act 538,1997.
“The Commission’s basis for holding the Board Members personally liable is because “These Board Members were at all material times responsible for providing strategic direction to ensure the provision of safe, adequate, efficient, reasonable and non-discriminatory service to consumers.
“As stated above, under Section 38 of Act 538 a default on the part of a public utility in the payment of a penalty may lead to the personal liability of a principal officer of the public utility. Under Section 49 of Act 538, a principal officer is the person responsible for the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the public utility.
“Board members of ECG are not responsible for the day-to-day administration of ECG and, therefore, are not principal officers within the intendment of Act 538 to be able to be held liable for a default on the part of the public utility ECG.
“The Commission’s Order imposing regulatory charges on the members of the Boards is unlawful, null and void as same is without jurisdiction. By this Order, the Commission has unlawfully clothed itself with the powers of the High Court, and imposed a sentence on the Board Members, without having been allowed to be heard which amounts to a breach of the rules of natural justice. Our clients, therefore, reject the contents of the regulatory order relative to any personal liability on their part,” the lawyers contended.
Background
It would be recalled that the regulator made three requests to the ECG with the timelines of March 25, March 27, and April 2, 2024.
The request from ECG by PURC followed the anger from the public demanding that ECG issue a load-shedding timetable for them to know when they would have power to plan due to power outages.
The information requested related to the tariff revenue allocation under the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM), the provision of regulatory audit data and the submission of information related to operational matters, as well as the provision of other regulatory audit data.
ECG responded to the Commission’s request.
However, the PURC letter said, “The Commission established from its analysis of data submitted by ECG that there were 4142 outages to consumers within ECG’s operational areas between January and March 2024. Out of this number, 165, representing 3.98 per cent of the total outages, were ECG-planned outages.
“Further analysis showed that of the 165 ECG planned outages, 40 were supported by public notices, while there were no notices for the remaining 125 outages.
“Further, 38 of the 40 notices did not comply with the requisite three-day statutory notice prescribed under Regulation 39 of L.I. 2413.
“This indicates that in 163 instances of planned outages, ECG did not comply with the law.”
Each of the nine-member board of ECG including the Managing Director, is to pay about GH¢652,000 per a calculation by this portal.
The fine was originally slapped on ECG, but the Commission, in a letter, explained that it could not allow the company to bear the cost due to the nature of its business and the likely impact on service delivery.
It thus passed on the fine to the company’s board members which failed to provide strategic direction to ensure the provision of safe, adequate, efficient, reasonable and non-discriminatory service to consumers.
“For failure to comply with the three-day statutory notice on notification and publication of planned outages required under Regulation 39 of L.I. 2413, the Commission by Regulation 45 of L.I. 2413, also imposed a regulatory charge of 3,000 penalty units on ECG for each of the 163 breaches, amounting to GH¢ 5,868,000.”
“The Commission has determined that having regard to the nature of ECG’s ownership and business, the imposition of the penalty of GH¢5,868,000 on ECG would be counterproductive, as payment from ECG’s revenue would have a rebounding adverse effect on quality of service and consumers who pay tariffs to the company.
“For that reason, in the interest of justice and to protect the interests of consumers, the Commission shall hold the Board Members of ECG who were in office from 1 January to 18 March 2024 liable for the payment of the GH¢5,868,000,” a portion of the letter said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and its Joint Venture partner in OML 85, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P), have commenced oil production from the asset, also known as Madu Field.
Production from the field which is located in shallow waters offshore Bayelsa State and operated by First E&P is expected to be at an average of 20,000 barrels per day.
The achievement is a testament to the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to optimise production from the nation’s oil and gas assets through the provision of an enabling environment for existing and prospective investors.
Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, described the commencement of oil production at the Madu Field as a significant milestone that will contribute to the larger goal of meeting the production required to drive revenue growth and boost the nation’s economy.
Kyari, who commended stakeholders for their support, also explained that the addition of 20,000 barrels per day by an indigenous oil player signals the commitment of stakeholders to achieving economic development for Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the development of the Madu Field and a sister field, Anyala, was taken by the NNPC Ltd./First E&P JV in 2018.
Production from the Madu Field will be processed at the JV’s Abigail-Joseph Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Unit, which has a crude oil storage capacity of up to 800,000 bbls.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana’s largest state power generation company, has successfully relocated and installed six units of an Ameri Power Plant at Anwomaso(ATPS) near Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.
As a result, power supply in the Ashanti Region and beyond will soon improve. The six units will be generating 150MW to shore up the country’s power generation capacity.
Now known as the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station, the reconnection of the plant to the grid will improve power supply and boost economic activities, especially in the Ashanti Region.
Residents of the Ashanti Region have been lamenting over poor and erratic power supply and demanded that urgent steps should be taken to address the situation to save their businesses from collapsing.
Therefore, the system operator – Ghana Grid Company – suggested that the Ameri Power Plant, which is on wheels and then located at Aboadze in the Western Region be relocated to Anwomaso to stabilise the grid and ensure power supply stability and reliability in the middle and northern belts of Ghana.
Speaking after the relocation of the Ameri Power Plant, Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, emphasised that there is a growing demand for power as the population and economic activities of the country continue to expand.
According to him, projects like the power station are important in boosting the country’s energy supply to meet the expectations of Ghanaians.
He said, “This power project is the first in Kumasi and, by extension, the Ashanti Region. It is very significant as it will improve the delivery of electricity to the middle and northern belts of the country.
“… My government is committed to ensuring that all parts of the country have the necessary infrastructure for development.”
President Akufo-Addo affirmed his government’s dedication to fostering economic growth and social advancement across the country.
Additionally, he highlighted the Ashanti Region’s reputation for fostering the development of small and medium-scale enterprises, as well as commercial and industrial sectors.
“It is my expectation that it would enhance electricity supply. These enterprises would expand and offer further employment opportunities to our youth. Ladies and gentlemen, in the course of the last seven years, my government has had the opportunity to translate promises and assurances into result-oriented projects, especially as the Ghanaian people, having cleared absolute terms, demanded results that would transform the country.
“One such commitment is the delivery of affordable and reliable electricity to drive our nation’s industrialisation agenda and position Ghana to become a net exporter of electricity in the ECOWAS region,” he stated.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The World Bank Group and African Development Bank Group are partnering on an ambitious effort to provide at least 300 million people in Africa with electricity access by 2030.
The World Bank Group will work to connect 250 million people to electricity through distributed renewable energy systems or the distribution grid while the African Development Bank Group will support an additional 50 million people.
Access to electricity is a fundamental human right and is foundational to any successful development effort.
Currently, 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, creating significant barriers to health care, education, productivity, digital inclusivity, and ultimately job creation.
“Electricity access is the bedrock of all development. It is a critical ingredient for economic growth and essential for job creation at scale. Our aspiration will only be realized with partnership and ambition.
“We will need policy action from governments, financing from multilateral development banks, and private sector investment to see this through,” said Ajay Banga, World Bank Group President.
A statement issued and copied to energynewaafrica.com mentioned that the partnership is a demonstration of the determination of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group to be bolder, bigger and better in tackling one of the most pressing challenges in Africa.
“The initiative is the most recent manifestation of the World Bank Group’s commitment to become more impact-oriented and is the byproduct of a concerted workplan to build a better bank. It is aided by a constellation of regional energy programs that will now be aligned toward this common goal,” the statement said.
For the World Bank Group to connect 250 million people, $30 billion of public sector investment will be needed, of which IDA, the World Bank’s concessional arm for low-income countries, will be critical.
In addition, governments will need to put in place policies to attract private investment, and reform their utilities so they are financially sound and efficient with tariff mechanisms that protect the poor.
Connecting 250 million people to electricity would open private sector investment opportunities in distributed renewable energy alone worth $9 billion. Beyond that, there would be substantial opportunities for private investments in grid-connected renewable energy needed to power economies for growth.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, is looking to add Namibia to its ranks as the Southern African country gears up to begin oil production by 2030.
Namibia recently discovered a significant volume of oil within its shores, which will make it the fourth largest oil-exporting company within the next ten years.
OPEC’s efforts to woo Namibia is necessitated by the recent exits of Angola and other key participants in the oil-exporting industry.
With Brazil joining the organization in January, the addition of Namibia will further swell its ranks and improve the organization’s influence in the energy market.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https:// energynewsafrica.com 
Again, concerns were raised about potential unemployment due to the implementation of CRM but Mr Kraine debunked that assertion, saying, “It is important to note that the transition to the CRM model aims to create new job opportunities in the LPG value chain.
“Additional personnel will be required for cylinder distribution, maintenance and related services,” he noted.
To further emphasise safety measures, the Ghana National Fire Service conducted a demonstration to showcase the appropriate actions to take in the event of an LPG-related incident.
Participants were provided with crucial safety tips to ensure the safe handling and usage of LPG.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
