Ghana: President Akufo-Addo To Inaugurate Phase II Of VRA’s Kaleo Solar Project
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
Ghana: Cylinder Recirculation Model Will Bring LPG Closer To Consumers–NPA Boss
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
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 Biden Administration Backs Rooftop Solar With $7 Billion Grant
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%.Ghana: Privatisation Of ECG Is Not The Solution: A Case For Sustainable Public Ownership (Article)
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.
Ghana: First Huawei Fusionsolar Summit Held In 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: President Akufo-Addo Commends VRA For The Successful Installation Of Anwomaso Thermal Power Station
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
Ghana: ECG Board Fights PURC Over Gh¢5.8 Million Fine …Says Corporate ECG Should Be Fined Not Board
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
Nigeria: NNPC Ltd, First E&P Achieve 20,000bpd Production At OML 85
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
Ghana: Power Supply In Ashanti, Northern Belts Boosted As VRA Connects Anwomaso Thermal Power Station To Grid
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
World Bank, AfDB Partner To Connect 300 Million Africans To Electricity By 2030
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
Namibia: OPEC Courts Namibia Ahead Of Plans To Begin Oil Production
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
Nigeria: President Tinubu Lauds Dangote Refinery For Reducing Diesel Price
The President of Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Dangote Oil and Gas Limited for reducing the price of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, also known as diesel.
Diesel is mostly used in large quantity in Nigeria by industries and articulated vehicles for transporting goods across the country.
A reduction in the price of diesel will subsequently affect the prices of goods and services across board and reduce the current skyrocketing prices in the country.
Dangote recently reviewed downwards the price of AGO from N1,650 to N1,000 per litre for a minimum of one million litres of the product, as well as providing a discount of N30 per litre for an offtake of five million litres and above.
The President in a statement issued by his Special Advisor on Media and Publicity Ajuri Ngelale, said that the federal government has 20 per cent stake in Dangote Refinery.
He said that the President noted the significance of partnership between the public and private entities in advancing the overall well-being of the country.
Mr Ngelale said that the President called on Nigerians and businesses to put the nation in priority gear while assuring them of a conducive, safe, and secure environment to thrive.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Who Woke PURC Up From Their Slumber? (Article)
I just woke up to the news that each of the Board of Directors of ECG has been fined some penalty units translating to about GHS 652,000.00 for superintending over a breach of regulation 39 of LI 2413, for not complying with the mandatory 3-day notice to announce a planned outage within a period of about 2 and half months.
I asked, has PURC now woken up from a deep slumber or has always been awake but a mere case of neglecting their duty or better still unraveling an agenda? Anyway, why now? The perfect answer will be that it’s better late than never.
In the absence of the announcements which are supposed to be attached to the response, did PURC even give the benefit of the doubt to prompt ECG on a shortfall of some level of information?
I doubt. Surely, it’s going to be a case of, hurray, we have gotten them. Moreso, when did PURC know that they could sanction the Board Members of ECG for breaching aspects of the LI 2413? Is it also the case that the former board chairman and the current board members are the targets?
Or is it to frustrate the board to resign enbloc so PURC and the powers that be proceed with an agenda best known to them? Or is it a payback time to punish the board of ECG because the PURC feels they have been starved for some time by the purported noncompliance with the Cash waterfall mechanism?
The right answers to the questions above exposes the shocking case of personal agenda but have to be diluted with some cases of public interest to make the case look good.
Has PURC sanctioned GRIDCo for putting off a BSP of ECG without prior knowledge of the latter as a customer? No not that we know of. Can’t PURC be fair and tell Ghanaians the available capacity or deficit and the true state of the power generation situation in the country?
If indeed Why won’t PURC be fair to Ghanaians and provide this information to the customers, they seek to protect? Have GRIDCo board members been fined?
Why will GRIDCo be in an emergency every day to necessitate emergency load shedding even during off-peak time? If emergencies become routine, it means there is a routine problem that is already known by somebody.
At a time Akosombo hydro is at near peak level, with the power exports even curtailed, why still dropping BSPs to save the entire system from collapse as a result of continuous frequency decay? Okay, what percentage of spinning reserve of GRIDCo are we doing?
These are the questions the Ghanaian consumer needs answers to not this distraction emanating from the regulator.
The situation at hand is akin to the situation in 2012 when ECG was being packaged for privatization. The agenda was to make ECG look bad to seek public support for the unpatriotic endeavor. At a time when the picture was so clear the challenges of the power system were as a result of demand exceeding the installed and available capacity of power generation and exposing the real situation as a generation deficit, ECG communication was gagged.
Is it the same thing we are seeing or the same agenda in motion?
To the extent that even CSOs whom we expect to know better are ignorantly or deliberately churning out false figures to make ECG look just bad to push for privatization which some cronies are just waiting to grab.
At least some commitment by ECG and the continuous effort of the management should be hailed and recognized. Being aware that revenue generation is the blood of every business, in the long history of ECG, every staff was pushed out there to compel customers to pay their bills.
Indeed, within the period the medical bill of the company shot up because of the stress staff were put into.
The power App undoubtedly is the most used payment app in the country to mention a few.
At least these are exhibits of the commitment and effort to improve the revenue that should be supported by the regulator and the energy players. What do we hear in the media, none, of these, are ignored and all you hear is biased and unfair criticism.
Can ECG publish a timetable? Why the pressure on ECG to produce one? This is supposed to be a rather follow-up question. The main question should have been ‘Have the upstream power players informed ECG of the expected deficit? If so at within what period was the request made and when was the loading shedding to be implemented? Kindly note that it takes not less than 30 minutes or more for ECG to fully undertake load shedding giving prior notice that is even if a timetable is prepared.
Why will PURC not impress on the IPPs and VRA to publish the generation available or deficit to Ghanaians? Of course, that is all that ECG needs and the customers are itching for otherwise any action compelling ECG to produce and publish such information is just disingenuous and an exhibition of a lack of understanding of the power system structures in Ghana.
For God and Country.
Source: Ing. Peter Kofi Fletcher
Ghana: SONABEL Delegation Visits GRIDCo
Top officials of Burkina Faso’s national electricity company, -Société Nationale d’électricité du Burkina Faso (SONABEL), have met with officials of Ghana Grid Company and its CEO to discuss power supply issues affecting Burkina Faso due to disruptions in Ghana’s Energy Sector.
Mark Baah, Director of Corporate Strategy & Advisor on the Implementation of the Ghana Wholesale Electricity Market, welcomed the team on behalf of the Chief Executive.
He acknowledged SONABEL’s peak demand period and apologised for the current challenges.
Mr Ouegraogo Aristide, Director of Transmission and Energy Movement, led the delegation, which is in Ghana for a week, to finalise power supply agreements with independent power producers such as Genser Energy, Aksa Energy Ghana and Sunon Asogli.
Ing Baah assured SONABEL of GRIDCo’s readiness to transmit power as soon as Genser receives approval to generate power for SONABEL.
The delegation also sought explanations regarding the deficit and outages on specific lines which the GRIDCo team addressed.
Regarding the installation of two new transformers at Nayagnia, Ing Frank Otchere, Director of the System Operations Department, suggested the formation of a joint team to plan the installation works while they waiting for the manufacturer’s installation team.
Operationalised on April 14, 1995, in Ouagadougou, Société Nationale d’électricité du Burkina Faso, is the national electricity company of Burkina Faso.
It is one of GRIDCo’s customers and represents Burkina Faso in the West African Power Pool.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com