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
Russia Bans Gasoline Exports For Six Months From March 1
Russia has announced plans to introduce a six-month ban on gasoline exports effective March 1, a spokesperson for Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak, said on Tuesday.
The move aimed to offset the growth in demand in spring and summer, the spokesperson said.
He said that another possible measure is to increase the diesel sales rate on the stock exchange to 16 per cent.
The restriction would not apply to the countries in the Eurasian Economic Union, he added.
Previously, Russia introduced a ban on gasoline exports from September 21 to November 17, 2023, to stabilise the price situation in the domestic motor fuel market.
The ban was lifted after the domestic fuel market reached saturation and a supply surplus was established.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Locally Made Electrical Cables Are World Class–GSA Boss
Electrical cables produced by indigenous Ghanaian firms are certified and are of world-class quality, the Director-General of Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Dr Alex Dodoo, has stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has licensed six indigenous electrical cable manufacturing companies that produce all kinds of cables for both domestic and industrial use.
They are Tropical Cables and Conductors Limited, Nexans Cable Ghana Limited, Reroy Cables Ghana Limited, Signal Ghana Limited, African Diamond Cable Company Limited and Fenice Metal Technology Limited Company.
Aside from that, the GSA has also licensed 100 importers that import foreign electrical cables in the West African nation for sale.
Speaking at the graduation of 195 electricians who successfully passed the Certified Electrical Wiring Professional examination, Prof Alex Dodoo said cables from the local manufacturers are of exceptional quality.
He noted that the huge proportion of imported cables has been a cause for considerable debate since the country has adequate capacity to produce some cables.
He revealed that nationwide surveillance conducted by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) in 2018 revealed that more than 70 per cent of imported electrical cable brands on the Ghanaian market were substandard.
He continued that a review of data from GSA laboratories indicated that 43 per cent of electrical cables tested did not pass the tests.
“This is a cause for concern, and we will continue to partner with the Energy Commission to drive this number towards zero per cent.
“Whilst achieving hundred per cent quality cables on the market is not easy, it can be done, and we are all committed to achieving just that and this is how we will do it,” he stated.
To address this, Prof Dodoo said his outfit has introduced a 3-prong approach towards solving the problem of substandard cables and accessories and ensuring the safety of life and property.
He mentioned continuous testing and certification of all cables, encouragement for local manufacture of not just cables but also of accessories heightened testing and inspection of all imports and increased market surveillance to rid the market of substandard cables.
He revealed that GSA had already trained the needed workforce to do that, and “we shall not relent in our efforts.”
He urged electrical cable consumers to patronise locally made cables for their safety and the growth of the country’s economy.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
SolarBank Appoints Renewable Energy Executive To Board Of Directors
SolarBank Corporation, an independent renewable and clean energy project developer and owner focusing on distributed and community solar projects in Canada and the USA has appointed Chelsea L. Nickles to its Board of Directors as an independent director.
This was revealed by the company in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Ms. Nickles is a renewable energy professional with more than 20 years of experience contributing to a net zero world.
For nearly the past decade, Ms. Nickles has been focusing on developing offshore wind projects in multiple jurisdictions with Ørsted, the global leader in offshore wind.
Ms. Nickels currently holds the title of Director with Ørsted and also serves as a director for several offshore wind companies where she helps to steer their success.
Prior to joining Ørsted, Ms. Nickles worked as a lawyer in the Projects, Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure group with Allen & Overy LLP in London, England.
Ms. Nickles holds a Bachelors of Arts (honours) from Acadia University and obtained a juris doctor from the University of Calgary in 2009.
Dr. Richard Lu, President & CEO of SolarBank commented: “I am very pleased that Chelsea has agreed to join the Board as our third independent director. Her experience in renewable energy, and international background, are key skill sets that will assist SolarBank as it continues to grow its business. Access to wind project expertise and her being located overseas open up new opportunities for SolarBank to explore.”
Ghana: NPA Orders Sentuo Refinery To Compensate PUMA Energy
Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Authority, has directed the Chinese-owned refinery, Sentuo Refinery, to compensate Puma Energy, one of the oil marketing companies in the Republic of Ghana, after the regulator established that gasoline bought from the refinery did not fulfil the required vapour pressure.
Per the directive by the regulator, the refinery is expected to ensure that the products in question were evacuated from the retail outlet of Puma, return the products to the refinery for correction through the BDCs that marketed the product, and compensate Puma with products that are acceptable quality per quantities returned through the BDCs involved.
A source at the NPA, disclosed this to Energy News Africa via the telephone.
This comes after two energy sector think tanks– Institute for Energy Security (IES) and COPEC–raised concerns that the refinery had sold products that did not meet industry standards.
The regulator responded via a press statement and clarified that the issue had to do with the vapour pressure of the gasoline from the refinery and not all their products as reported.
The statement mentioned that a sanction had been imposed on the refinery without giving details on the level of the said sanction.
However that did not meet the expectations of the two thinks–IES and COPEC–who issued a joint statement to demand disclosure about the level of sanction imposed on the refinery.
“NPA, in insisting Sentuo Refinery has acquired all due licences to enable it to put products onto the Ghanaian market, is also entreated to publish both the Commercial Licences so granted and the Quality Assurance Certificate on the petroleum consignment in question, for the sake of transparency, and dispelling industry and consumer fears that the refinery is in a hurry to side step some regulatory protocols meant to ensure no rules of safety are bent using apparent arm twisting as we currently seeing.
“The NPA must be made aware of the fact that any such sanctions on the Chinese refinery must factor due and appropriate compensations to both AOMCs and its members affected by the bad fuel and its attendant challenges on their facilities as well as the consumers who patronised these products and are currently grappling with one issue or the other on their engines,” IES and COPEC said in their statement.
The refinery, last week, admitted that its premium spirit, popularly known as petrol, did not meet the required standard and took corrective measures to address the issue.
Albert Duncan, a consultant with the refinery, told energynewsafrica.com that they realised that there was a problem with the vapour pressure of the PMS and they took corrective measures to address the issue.
“As we speak, we are selling. It’s only the petrol that had a problem and we have taken steps to correct it,” Mr Duncan said via the telephone.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Uganda: UETCL Posts Shs95b Profit In 2023 Despite Surge In Power Losses
Ugandan Electricity Transmission Company (UETCL) has posted a profit of Shs94.9billion
(equivalent of $23,915,228.40) for the period ended June 2023 on account of forex gains, a local media has reported.
The report said UETCL also reported unpaid arrears of Shs166b, resulting from power bills due to different ministries, agencies and departments.
The Ugandan Minister for Energy and Mineral Development Minister, Dr Ruth Nankabirwa, described the profit as a “good gesture,” during UETCL’s 15th annual general meeting in Kampala, noting: “We have also seen more off-taking of power evacuated by UETCL during the period.”
The company’s energy sales performance also grew by seven per cent from 5.4 gigawatts per hour due to an increase in demand and supply, leading to Shs1.3b in energy sales revenues.
Uganda currently has an installed electricity generation capacity of slightly above 2,000 megawatts largely from hydropower dams, of which 1,496 megawatts are from large hydropower dams.
However, annual transmission losses increased to 4.79 per cent from 4.2 per cent, against the Electricity Regulatory Authority’s 4.6 per cent target.
During the period, transmission coverage increased from 3,989 circuit kilometres to 4,218 kilometres with the commissioning of the 132-kilovolt Karuma to Lira, 132-kilovolt Karuma to Kawanda, and 132-kilovolt Mutundwe to Entebbe transmission lines, respectively.
Source:https:// energynewsafrica.com