UN Watchdog Calls On Development Banks To Finance Nuclear Projects
International development banks that have shunned funding for nuclear power generation projects for decades, need to overcome opposition from some stakeholders and begin backing such plants, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the Financial Times.
Multinational lenders such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank are currently “out of step” with the most recent attitudes toward nuclear energy of their government shareholders, according to Grossi.
The World Bank, for example, hasn’t backed a nuclear project since the late 1950s, due to opposition from stakeholders including Germany.
Germany has been the odd man out in the new view on nuclear energy for civil purposes—it shut down last year all its remaining nuclear power plants and has said that the debate on nuclear energy is a “dead horse”.
Meanwhile, many economies – including Japan – now look to use more nuclear power generation in a renaissance for the technology after the energy crisis and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“All these development banks or international finance institutions are out of date, out of step with what is happening,” the IAEA’s Grossi told FT.
“This is a…post-Chernobyl sort of mantra, which does not correspond any more to the policy indication from countries and the ideas and projects we are seeing.”
At the COP28 climate summit at the end of last year, the United States and 21 other countries pledged to triple nuclear energy capacities by 2050, saying incorporating more nuclear power in their energy mix is critical for achieving their net zero goals in the coming decades.
“The Declaration recognizes the key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and keeping the 1.5-degree Celsius goal within reach,” the U.S. Department of State said.
Even Japan is bringing back nuclear power as a key energy source, looking to protect its energy security in the crisis that led to surging fossil fuel prices.
The Japanese government confirmed in December 2022 a new policy for nuclear energy, which the country had mostly abandoned since the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
Source: Oilprice.com
Nigeria: President Tinubu Reappoints Kenny Anuwe As CEO Of FGN Power Company, New Management
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Kenny Anuwe as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FGN Power Company Limited.
The President also appointed a new management team to manage the company.
This was contained in a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, a Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, on Friday.
The new management members are Company Secretary/Legal Advisor Prof Mamman Lawal, Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Ebenezer Olawale Fapohunda, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Babatunde Daramola Oniru, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Julius Oyekola Olabiyi.
According to the statement, the President anticipated that with the full constitution of the management team, the FGN Power Company Limited would work assiduously to realise the core objectives of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) in close collaboration with Siemens Energy through a holistic overhaul, modernisation and expansion of the national grid and other critical measures to ensure the growth of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: President Bola Tinubu Appoints Four New Directors To TCN
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of four Nigerian professionals to serve as Executive Directors for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said the appointment was for a renewable term of four years.
He said the appointment was part of Mr Tinubu’s efforts to enhance the quality and quantity of electric power wheeled across the nation’s power grid.
The new appointees are Oluwagbenga Ajiboye, Executive Director of Transmission Service Provider and Nafisatu Asabe-Ali, Executive Director of Independent System Operations.
Others are Ogini Chukwuka, Executive Director of Finance and Accounts and Abiodun Afolabi, Executive Director of Human Resources and Corporate Services.
Mr Ngelale said the President approved the appointment based on the appointees’ strength of experience, competence level, qualifications, character and dedication.
He said that Tinubu expected the appointees to commit themselves to realising the innovative and expansive energy vision of his administration, in addition to delivering excellent service to Nigerians.
TCN emerged from the defunct National Electric Power Authority as a product of the merger of the Transmission and Operations sectors on April 1, 2004, and was incorporated in November 2005.
Being one of the 18 unbundled business units under the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, TCN was issued a transmission licence on 1st July 2006.
It was subsequently issued two licences on June 10, 2013, for electricity transmission and system operations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana Targets 30% Nuclear Energy Generation By 2070
Ghana is envisioning nuclear energy generation to account for 30 per cent of the country’s energy mix by 2070.
The President of the West African nation, Nana Akufo-Addo, who revealed this last week at a state of the nation address, said the country had aimed at introducing nuclear power in the generation mix to get clean and affordable electricity to drive industrialisation in order to address the issue of unemployment.
“It is also meant to position Ghana as a net power exporter in the ECOWAS region through the West African Power Pool,” he said.
He stated that his remark was an extension of what he said at the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit and the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Co-operation (IFNEC) Ministerial Conference, which took place in Accra last November.
“We have committed ourselves to the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” he added.
Ghana is hoping to start the construction of its first nuclear-powered plant by 2030.
Currently, the Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), the entity spearheading the country’s nuclear power project, has identified a suitable site for the project in the Central and Western regions.
The country is yet to announce the vendor country and the technology – either SMR or large reactors for the project.
Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms in a reactor to heat water into steam, turn a turbine and generate electricity.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, nuclear is a low-carbon emitting source of energy apart from being a clean, reliable, affordable, and modern energy source.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Sunday’s Outage In Accra, Takoradi, Others Was Due To Fault At Mallam Substation–GRIDCo
Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, has attributed Sunday’s, March 3, power interruptions that affected some areas in Accra, Winneba and Takoradi to faulty equipment at its Mallam substation.
A statement signed by its Corporate Communications Manager, Dzifa Bampoh, indicated that its engineers have already begun power restoration and assured the public that they are working tirelessly to restore supply to the rest of the affected areas.
“The Ghana Grid Company LTD (GRIDCo) wishes to inform the public that on Sunday, March 3, 2024, due to a fault in equipment at the Mallam substation which occurred at 20:38h power supply to some customers in the western part of Accra, Winneba and Takoradi was interrupted,” the statement said.
It added that “our engineers have quickly isolated the faulted equipment for further investigation.
“Restoration of supply to affected customers started immediately. As of 22:30h, the power supply to most of the affected customers had been restored.
For areas without power supply, engineers are working tirelessly to restore power once the faulted equipment is fixed.
“GRIDCo sincerely apologises to all who were affected by the power supply interruption,” the statement concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Ghanaians Groan Over Rampant Power Outages…
Ghanaians are groaning over power supply challenges currently being experienced across the West African country, with members of the main opposition party accusing the government of failing to manage the sector well.
Many people, especially those who have been experiencing rampant power outages in their localities, are regularly on social media platforms expressing their frustrations over the current situation.
While government functionaries have been trying to explain the issues and urging Ghanaians to stay calm with the promise of resolving the issue, the Minority group in Parliament says its monitoring of the power sector in recent times shows that the sector is collapsing.
A former deputy Minister for Power under the erstwhile John Mahama administration and Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu, Mr John Jinapor, reacted to the situation during a recent interview with the media in Parliament.
“The Minority side has been monitoring the power situation for the past month and it appears, based on the information available to us, that the power sector is collapsing.
“Since February 2, there has been persistent and consistent load shedding by the generation companies. Indeed, the load shedding is worsening by the day.
The day the President was delivering SONA (State of the Nation Address) and boasting, there was some load shedding happening,” he said.
“Today at noon, load shedding will commence again; our investigation indicates that some of our thermal plants are down and there is a lack of fuel causing the load shedding.
The handlers of the power sector should do the honourable thing by informing the people of Ghana so they can plan ahead of time,” Mr. Jinapor added.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mansubir Mahama, in an interview with Accra-based Joy News, partly blamed the situation on a technical challenge at the Cenpower Generation which resulted in the inability of the plant coming online.
Then on Thursday, February 29, 2024, Samuel Dubik Mansubir Mahama, on another Accra-based Starr FM, stated that ECG was putting in all efforts to resolve the challenges for affected areas to have power in their homes.
“We are having major maintenance issues; the issue we are having now has nothing to do with fuel. You are relying on a power plant that is to give you about 360 megawatts then around 4 p.m., the gas emergency safety valve has a problem. What do you do? It is a machine.
“The machine failed us and we kept on saying that it’s a machine issue that we were trying to fix,” Mr. Mahama stated.
He continued, “I must apologise to Ghanaians; when it started, we should have had the confidence to have a chat with everybody and actually put out a statement.”
Meanwhile, checks by this portal show that some of the plants that did not generate power over the last days have been brought online.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa: New Eskom Group CEO Marokane Assumes Post
The newly appointed Group Chief Executive of South Africa’s power utility company, Eskom, Mr Dan Marokane, has officially assumed post on Friday, March 1.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the company.
Mr Marokane rejoins Eskom at a time when the organisation faces an existential challenge and is undergoing significant changes that require hands-on, bold, and decisive leadership.
Eskom Board Chairman Mteto Nyati expressed confidence in Marokane’s abilities, as well as in the leadership and staff of Eskom, emphasising their collective commitment to turning the organisation around.
“We expect Dan and his leadership team to accomplish at least two critical tasks. First, they must address the current business challenges. Load-shedding must become a thing of the past. Second, they need to reposition and restructure Eskom to enable growth and sustainability,” Nyati said.
As Marokane takes the helm, the Eskom Board has asked him to prioritise several key areas in the first 100 days and these are:
1. Assessing the Generation Operational Recovery Plan
2. Reviewing Eskom’s unbundling plans
3. Engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
These first 100 days are crucial for helping him gain necessary insights into the affairs of Eskom and the industry.
He should be in a position to engage with the media at the end of this critical period.
“Dan has the full support of the Eskom Board. Eskom employees are excited to welcome him back into the organisation.
We invite all South Africans to rally behind him as he steers Eskom towards stability, reliability and sustainability,” Nyati concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa: Eskom Activates Alternative 132kV Power Line For Central Karoo Contingency
South Africa’s power utility company, Eskom has announced the successful construction and livening up of the alternative 132kV power line which will provide a contingency to customers in the Central Karoo in Western Cape.
The line will allow for seamless rerouting of electricity when necessary.
“This significant milestone achieved at 23:40 on 29 February 2024, marks a crucial step in ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the towns of Sutherland, Roggeveld, Laingsburg, Ladismith, Leeu Gamka, Swartberg, Merweville, Matjiesfontein, Prince Albert, Fraserburg, and surrounding areas,” the company said in a press statement issued on Friday.
“Our primary goal is to maintain a reliable and resilient electrical network that meets the needs of our community,” stated Mbulelo Yedwa, Eskom General Manager, Cape Coastal Cluster.
“The activation of the 132kV temporary bypass reaffirms our dedication to ensuring uninterrupted power supply, especially during critical maintenance and adverse weather patterns like recently,” Yedwa added.
The implementation of this contingency plan follows a severe storm on the night of 3 February 2024, which caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure, resulting in a large- scale power outage lasting approximately two weeks.
While all affected areas were fully restored by 15 February 2024, Eskom proactively designed a plan to mitigate the impact of such incidents in the future.
The activation process involved rigorous testing, inspection, and adherence to standards to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the contingency measures.
Eskom employees have been working tirelessly to complete this part of the project.
Despite facing challenges and adverse weather conditions, Eskom employees demonstrated exceptional professionalism and resilience in delivering the project within the stipulated timeframe.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: ECG Transformer Damaged, Parts Removed At Akyem Asene
An electrical transformer belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Eastern Region was destroyed, and the copper wires inside were removed by some unidentified people, a report by ghananews247.com said.
The incident happened at midnight on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, leaving the area in total darkness.
Some residents who spoke to the media said they thought it was a normal power outage only to discover in the morning that the transformer in the area had been removed and completely damaged.
The damaged transformer was a 100kVA and its total weight was 790kg, and it served the Asene township and its surroundings.
The ECG Manager for Akyem Oda, Engineer Maxwell Esell, who expressed worry over the development, advised the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious characters they see loitering around their transformers in the area.
He urged all those staying closer to the transformers serving the community to be extra vigilant.
“If anyone hears any unusual sound from the transformer, they should check at any time of the day to see what the problem is,” he advised.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Parliamentarians Sweated After ECG Cut Power Supply To Chamber Over Gh¢23M Debt
On Thursday, Ghana’s parliament was disconnected from the national grid by the largest power distribution company, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), for failing to settle Gh¢23 million debt, thereby, throwing the whole facility in total darkness.
The disconnection happened when the legislators were debating the issues raised by President Akufo-Addo during his State of the Nation Address on Monday, February 25, 2024.
The disconnection is part of the ongoing ‘Operation Zero Balance’ initiative by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) task force.
The primary goal of the revenue mobilisation exercise is to recover outstanding debts from customers.
According to media reports, proceedings in the Chamber were disrupted for a while before power was restored through a generator.
The reports said some MPs and their staff were drenched in sweat and had to reschedule their meetings with officials and constituents.
“Those who remained in their offices had to open their secure and locked windows to make their visitors comfortable,” a local portal, newsalertgh.com reported.
“Some MPs found themselves trapped in elevators within the building.
With ‘Job 600’ and adjoining offices completely powerless, the elevators malfunctioned, leaving occupants stranded in the darkness,” it added.
The unfortunate incident prompted a response from the Ghana National Fire Service to promptly dispatch personnel to the scene to rescue those trapped in the elevators.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Oil&Gas Industry Requires US$14 Trillion Investment From Now To 2035–OPEC
The oil and gas sector would require about US$14 trillion in investments from now till 2035 to be able to meet global demand, Secretary General of OPEC, Haitham al-Ghais, has said.
The OPEC helmsman said this in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, when he paid a working visit to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari, at the NNPC Towers on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
During the discussion, Mr al-Ghais urged NNPC Ltd. to do everything possible to raise its production to continue to be a reliable source of energy to the world.
He stated that OPEC was completely aligned with NNPC Ltd.’s vision as captured in its payoff line: ‘Energy for Today, Energy for Tomorrow’ because of its inclusive view of energy as opposed to the view being pushed in some quarters that some sources of energy were bad.
“We will continue to ensure that the market is stable. The global market has to be stable for Nigeria to be able to attract investors.
If there’s volatility, if there’s no stability in the market, it will only create havoc for everybody, whether it’s a producer or consumer country.
So, we will continue to do that in OPEC. We count on Nigeria’s support,” the US OPEC helmsman said.
Mele Kyari, Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, said his outfit was working very hard to recover lost production and provide the right fiscal environment to attract investments.
He expressed appreciation to OPEC for its support to Nigeria, adding that NNPC Ltd. will continue to support the organisation in whatever way it can.
Despite the global push for energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the oil and gas industry still looks very attractive to investors.
According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the oil and gas industry attracted more than USD500 billion in investment.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: NNPC Ltd, OPEC Pledge Collaboration To Attract Investments, Grow Production
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and the Organisation of the Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) have pledged to work closely together to achieve the nation’s aspirations to attract investments and grow production.
The two organisations came to this accord when the Secretary General of OPEC, Haitham al-Ghais, paid a courtesy visit to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari, at the NNPC Towers on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
This was contained in a press statement issued by Olufemi O. Soneye,
Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd.
According to the statement, al-Ghais stated that OPEC was completely aligned with NNPC Ltd.’s vision as captured in its payoff line: ‘Energy for Today, Energy for Tomorrow’ because of its inclusive view of energy as opposed to the view being pushed in some quarters that some sources of energy were bad.
He disclosed that despite the pushback on oil and gas, the world would require about US$14 trillion in investments from now till 2035 to be able to meet global demand, and urged NNPC Ltd. to do everything to tap into that opportunity to raise its production to continue to be a reliable source of energy to the world.
“We will continue to ensure that the market is stable. The global market has to be stable for Nigeria to be able to attract investors.
If there’s volatility, if there’s no stability in the market, it will only create havoc for everybody, whether it’s a producer or consumer country.
So, we will continue to do that in OPEC. We count on Nigeria’s support,” the OPEC helmsman said.
In his remarks, Kyari said NNPC Ltd. was working very hard to recover lost production and provide the right fiscal environment to attract investments.
He expressed appreciation to OPEC for its support to Nigeria, adding that NNPC Ltd. will continue to support the organisation in whatever way it can.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: Electricity Tariffs For Residential And Non-Residential Consumers To Drop By 6.56%, 4.98% Effective April 1
Residential and non-residential electricity consumers in the Republic of Ghana, who consume 301kWh and above will enjoy a 6.56 per cent and 4.98 per cent drop in their electricity tariffs effective April 1 to June 30, 2024.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the regulator for electricity and water, announced this in a press statement issued and copied to energynewsafrica.com on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
The PURC said, “There will be no change in the electricity of lifeline consumers (0-30KWh) as well as for residential consumers within the consumption bracket of 0-300kWh.
“There will, however, be an average reduction in electricity tariffs of 6.5% for residential consumers within the consumption bracket of 301kWh and above.
“Tariffs within the 0-300kWh for non-residential class of consumers remains the same with no change in their rates.
However, consumers within 301kWh and above class will experience an average reduction of 4.98%,” the Commission explained.
The Commission reduced the residential tariff bands from four to three and the Non-Residential Tariff bands class to two bands.
Additionally, the Commission has reduced the industry tariff band to reward the productive use of electricity, resulting in a 4.88 per cent reduction for Low Voltage (SLT-LV) consumers.
The Commission has also merged the high voltage, medium voltage and steel companies into one band, with all classes now paying GH₵1.5252/kWh leading to a 4.72 per cent-point reduction in the tariff of the high voltage consumers.
Meanwhile, water tariffs for all customer classes, the PURC said would remain unchanged during the specified review period.
The Commission noted that these reviews have been undertaken in line with the Quarterly Tariff Review Mechanism, which tracts and incorporates movements in key uncontrollable factors, namely the exchange rate between the US$ and the Ghana Cedi, domestic inflation rate, the electricity generation mix and the cost of fuel, mainly natural gas.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Renewable Energy: A HOT Topic For 2024 Election In United States -Why It Matters And What New Plans Mean For You
President Joe Biden unveiled his much anticipated vision for solar farms to help transition the U.S. power grid into 100% clean energy by 2035.
His plan lays out where the farms should and should not be within 11 states in the Western hemisphere, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
The Western Solar Plan initiative, overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, would provide companies with access to approximately 22 million acres of land open for solar projects.
Lawmakers say the Western Solar Plan ensures farmers, ranchers and small businesses will benefit directly from a clean energy economy.
The investments announced in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects are said to “expand access to renewable energy infrastructure and increase domestic fertilizer production, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs that they can then invest back into their businesses and communities,” according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Critics of the plan say these acres are desperately needed to protect and save the lives of endangered species, and say nearby landowners may object to living in close proximity to solar fields. They also say developing such massive fields will require a huge influx of new transmission lines, and without these necessary additions, would compromise those already in place — limiting the power disbursed to neighboring communities as a result.
Global Energy Expert and SolarBank CEO Richard Lu says whether you agree or disagree with the plan, one thing is certain: the environment is at a critical stage, and safe, reliable, low cost ways of producing energy are vital.
“We are not taking away productive agriculture lands. All the brownfields, landfills, rooftops, parking lots, spent mines/open pit and so on are more than enough surface to produce zero-carbon energy with solar panels to make the USA a great country with clean energy,” Lu said.
SolarBank is a full-service renewable energy developer with development opportunities of solar projects In New York and Maryland.
Source: SolarBank Corporation