The Nigerian Navy has arrested a syndicate of 13 members onboard a Ghanaian registered vessel with the inscription Motor Tanker, MT, SWEET MIRI, suspected to be involved in legalized dealings on the high seas.
The crew comprised a Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians.
The Nigerian Navy, in a statement issued on Monday, March 4, 2024, by the Director of Information, Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, revealed that the vessel carried about two million litres of products suspected to be crude oil.
Mr Ayo-Vaughan said the Navy carried out an operation on February 25 at about 174 nm (approximately 320km) off Nigeria’s coast, heading toward the Benin Republic, after the vessel was observed to have switched off her Automatic Identification System (AIS) in a bid to evade detection.
He said the infraction by the vessel contravened the International Ships and Port Security Code (ISPS) and was tagged a “Vessel of Interest” (VoI) by the Nigerian Navy.
According to him, the Navy Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructure observed the criminal intent of the vessel and subsequently vectored two NN ships on patrol to interrogate the vessel.
“It was discovered that MT SWEET MIRI was involved in illegalities and the vessel was subsequently arrested.
“Curiously, the suspicious disposition of the vessel necessitated the swift deployment of Nigerian Navy Ship ABA and Nigerian Navy Ship SOKOTO to intercept the vessel.
“Notably, upon arrest, MT SWEET MIRI was found carrying about two million liters of product suspected to be crude oil without any form of approval from relevant authorities,” he said.
Ayo-Vaughan said the relevant approving/prosecuting agencies had been notified for sample collection to further ascertain the culpability of the vessel.
This, he said, was in line with the directive of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, for an in-depth and independent investigation, adding that it was necessary to unmask the enemies of the nation and to institute holistic and detailed investigations.
He assured that the navy, through the reinvigorated Operation Delta Sanity would continue to collaborate with relevant maritime, security and law enforcement agencies to closely monitor, evaluate and interdict where infractions were suspected.
This, according to him, is to bring economic saboteurs to book in line with relevant extant laws of the land.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The prices of petrol and diesel have gone up significantly at the pump in the Republic of Ghana, effective March 1, 2024.
A litre of diesel is selling at Gh¢14.49 per litre from the previous price of Gh¢ 13.99 per litre while petrol is selling at Gh¢13.49 per litre from the previous price of Gh¢12.99
Unlike in other parts of Africa where fuel prices are reviewed monthly, in Ghana, fuel prices are reviewed every two weeks.
During the second pricing window which ended on February 29, 2024, petrol was sold between Gh¢11.90 and Gh¢12.99 per litre while diesel was sold between Gh13.99 and Gh¢13.78 per litre.
The increment in fuel prices is due to the rising cost of refined products on the international market and exchange rate volatility.
As of Friday, Leading oil marketing companies—GOIL Plc and Shell—were selling petrol at Gh¢13.49 per litre while diesel was sold at Gh¢14.49 per litre.
TotalEnergies, one of the market leaders, is selling petrol at Gh¢13.39 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢14.39 per litre.
Star Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢12.37 per litre while diesel is selling at Gh¢13.37 per litre.
Petrosol Ghana Limited, one of the top ten OMCs, has also adjusted its pump prices and is selling petrol at Gh¢13.19 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢14.19 per litre.
Zen is selling petrol at Gh¢12.35 per litre while diesel is selling at Gh¢13.39 per litre.
Allied Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢12.30 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢13.30 per litre.
Pacific Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢11.98 per litre while diesel was sold at Gh¢12.98 per litre.
Dukes is selling petrol at Gh¢12.30 per litre while is sold diesel at Gh¢13.30 per litre.
Engen is selling petrol at Gh¢12.59 per litre and diesel at Gh¢13.39 per litre.
Cash Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢11.37 per litre and diesel at Gh¢12.90 per litre.
Lucky Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢12.50 while diesel is sold at Gh¢12.94 per litre.
Data from the regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), also showed prices of finished products—diesel and petrol—jumped on the international market within two weeks.
Petrol went up to US$840.43 per metric tonne while diesel went up to US$871.78 per metric tonne.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
About: Energy, a world-leading innovator in battery development software has been selected by Innovate UK as one of 14 companies to participate in the Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) in South Korea, an initiative to accelerate business growth globally and drive innovation for battery technology.
As part of the programme, Innovate UK brings together pioneering companies including About:Energy, focusing on battery development and technologies.
The programme in South Korea will include identifying international partners for technology collaboration, and developing cross border innovation projects.
Home to three of the world’s five biggest electric vehicle battery manufacturers who collectively oversee more than a quarter of the global EV battery market, South Korea offers significant opportunities for international collaboration to address shared challenges when it comes to battery development.
Kieran O’Regan, COO and Co-Founder of About: Energy has extensive experience in Korean batteries through his PhD at the University of Birmingham.
He commented that “South Korean battery expertise has been at the heart of About: Energy’s technology development, after several years researching the performance of cells from LG Chem, subsequently open-sourcing data that has become widely used in industry and academia.”
The 12-month programme includes the opportunity to attend five days of activities in South Korea, which encompass visits to academic organisations and industry in Seoul and Ulsan. This includes a visit to the British Embassy and attendance at the Interbattery Exhibition.
About:Energy’s software platform, The Voltt, features advanced battery data and models to streamline development. It provides access to enable a faster adoption of cells and design systems using data from global suppliers, including LG Chem, Samsung, and other leading Korean manufacturers.
About:Energy has worked directly with Samsung and LG’s largest European automotive customers and many smaller companies to help them to solve challenges relating to battery pack design.
Kieran O’Regan commented: “We are committed to developing closer collaboration with manufacturers to further support the success of all of their customers”.
In addition to the GBIP, About: Energy will extend the trip to participate in extended conversations as part of the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme, a government-backed initiative to help UK tech firms expand across the Asia Pacific region.
The UK-APAC programme focuses on de-risking and accelerating the growth of the battery sector and is coordinated by Intralink, an international business development and innovation consultancy specialising in Asia.
Inclusion in these initiatives signify the government’s recognition and support for About:Energy’s commitment and software solution for the advancement in battery development.
Ghana’s quest to rid its local market of substandard electrical cables and accessories has received a boost with the passage into law the Electricity Wiring Cables and Accessories Regulation(L.I.2478).
The passage of the law will ensure that only cables and accessories that meet standards approved by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) are imported into the country.
GSA has issued approval for 100 importers that import foreign electrical cables and accessories into the country.
A nationwide surveillance conducted by GSA in 2018 revealed that more than 70 per cent of imported electrical cable brands on the Ghanaian market were substandard.
A review of data from GSA laboratories indicated that 43 per cent of electrical cables tested did not pass the tests.
Speaking at the 20th graduation ceremony for 195 electricians who successfully passed the Certified Electrical Wiring Professional examination in Accra on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, the Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission Ing. Rev. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, noted that the use of quality-approved materials is essential in ensuring the integrity and reliability of electrical systems, thereby safeguarding lives and property from potential hazards such as electrical fires, shocks, and equipment failures.
He noted a worrying trend where many buildings, including state-owned ones, still have outdated electrical wiring installations that have seen little to no repairs or renovation since their initial installation several decades ago.
He said outdated electrical wiring is not only prone to malfunctions and breakdowns but also poses serious safety hazards such as electrical fires and electrocution.
He further noted that these old systems are likely inefficient, leading to higher energy consumption and increased costs for maintenance and operation.
He called on the public to prioritise the implementation of periodic inspection and testing, as mandated by the Ghana Electrical Wiring Regulations 2011 (L.I.2008).
He explained that this regulation emphasises the importance of regular assessments which comprise inspection and testing of the electrical wiring of facilities older than ten (10) years to verify the integrity of electrical wiring done, thereby mitigating potential hazards and risks to life and property.
He said as custodians of this mandate, it is incumbent upon the Energy Commission to collaborate with industry stakeholders to promote compliance with periodic inspection and testing requirements in upholding the provisions of the Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2011 (L.I.2008).
Ing. Amonoo-Neizer underscored the need for stakeholders to use cables and accessories approved by GSA to ensure safety of properties and lives.
“As stakeholders in the electrical industry, we must prioritise the use of cables and accessories approved by the Ghana Standards Authority to uphold the highest standards of safety associated with electrical wiring in Ghana,” he said
A group picture of Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals at the 20th Graduation Ceremony in Accra. Picture was taken on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
The Director-General of GSA, Prof. Alex Dodoo, also noted that electrical cables and their accessories are the lifeline of modern society.
“Without cables, everything ceases. From the chargers in your phones to the cables in your car, loudspeakers, lights, aeroplanes, etc., cables are an integral part of modern society,” he noted.
He added that it is important we ensure and assure that all cables are safe for their intended use and that they also have a huge margin of safety when things go wrong.
He applauded the Energy Commission for their boldness and tenacious approach to electrical safety – the Energy Commission has ensured that it has the necessary laws to regulate the cable sector, and it has extended this regulation from products to personnel.
Statistics from the Energy Commission show that since the introduction of the Certified Electrical Wiring Professional programme, about 15,544 electricians have been certified as electrical wiring professionals and inspectors.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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
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
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 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’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
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
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’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
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
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
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
