Ghana: NEDCo Proposes Removal Of Lifeline Tariff…Calls For Introduction Of Streetlight Tariff
The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has called for reforms to Ghana’s electricity tariff structure, including the scrapping of the lifeline tariff and the introduction of a dedicated streetlight tariff.
While NEDCo is pushing for the removal of the lifeline tariff, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), which is responsible for power distribution in the southern part of the country, is also proposing two tariff bands for residential customers and one for non-residential customers.
ECG argues that this new structure will simplify billing and improve customer understanding of electricity bills.
The company has also proposed the introduction of a dedicated streetlight tariff.
It would be recalled that, previously, lifeline consumers were those who consumed between 0–50 kWh of electricity.
However, this tariff band was reduced to 0–30 kWh following NEDCo’s proposal during the 2022–2025 Multi-Year Tariff Review.
Speaking at the PURC stakeholder engagement on the 2025–2029 Multi-Year Tariff Review, Mr. Hashim Iddrisu, NEDCo’s Director for Commercial Services, argued that the lifeline tariff—which provides subsidised electricity to low-consumption households—has become unsustainable and is causing the company to incur “huge losses.”
The utility company proposed that a uniform tariff system be applied to all residential customers, where bills are determined solely by consumption volumes, rather than differentiated unit prices.
According to NEDCo, this approach would align with pricing practices in other sectors such as fuel, where higher usage directly results in higher costs.
“We’re proposing that the current lifeline tariff be discontinued. We’re also recommending that a streetlight tariff be provided for residential customers so that they are no longer included in existing brackets.
“We further propose the introduction of a streetlight tariff to recover the costs associated with the provision of public lighting,” Mr. Iddrisu stated.
NEDCo further recommended that tariffs reflect the company’s actual capital expenditure (CAPEX), operational expenditure (OPEX), and return on investment to ensure financial sustainability.
The utility also urged the adoption of non-discriminatory tariffs, arguing that the cost of electricity production and distribution is largely uniform across customer groups.
On projected tariff adjustments, NEDCo outlined marginal increases over the review period—2% in 2026, 5% in 2027, 3% in 2028, and 0.04% in 2029—following a recorded reduction in 2023. These projections, the company noted, are based on the assumption of a 174% adjustment in the current year.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: NISO Explains Why Part Of Nigeria Is Experiencing Power Outage
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has explained why part of Africa’s most populous nation is experiencing a power outage.
According to the system operator, the country’s national grid experienced a system disturbance at 11:20 hours on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
NISO revealed that the disturbance was caused by the tripping of a generation company (GenCo), resulting in a significant load drop. This drop cascaded to other GenCos, ultimately leading to a system-wide disturbance.
In a statement, NISO noted that it immediately commenced restoration of the grid at 11:45 hours, beginning with the supply to Abuja from the Shiroro power plant. Substantial restoration has since been achieved across the country.
The grid operator revealed that an investigation is currently underway to establish the actual cause.
“A full investigation into the immediate and remote causes is underway.
“The outcome(s) of the investigation report will determine the remedial and proactive actions to be taken to forestall future occurrences,” NISO said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: PURC Begins Public Hearings On Utility Tariff Proposals
Ghana’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the regulator for electricity and water utilities, has begun a nationwide public hearing on proposals submitted by utility companies as part of the 2025–2029 Multi-Year Tariff Review.
The public hearings, which began on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Accra, have already featured representation from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media. Utility companies, notably Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Enclave Power Company Limited, Volta River Authority (VRA), Northern Electricity Distribution Company Limited (NEDCo), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Ghana National Gas Company Limited, and Ghana Water Company Limited, took their turn to present and defend their proposals.
Speaking at the stakeholder engagement on Monday, the Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, stated that the aim of the public hearings is to enhance the relationship between utilities and consumers and to promote transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability in the tariff-setting process. Dr. Suleman noted that the hearings would provide a platform for utilities to explain and justify their tariff proposals to the public.
“The PURC will also be undertaking public hearings across the country to bring the utilities closer to the Ghanaian consumer as they explain and justify their proposals,” he said. “The goal of creating this platform is to promote transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability in tariff setting, while ensuring that the Commission’s decisions strike a balance between economic realities and social considerations.”
“This stakeholder engagement and the upcoming regional public hearings will help ensure that the outcome of the major tariff review is credible, sustainable, and in the best interest of our country,” he added.
Chairperson of the Stakeholder Committee at PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah, emphasized that the tariff proposals from utility providers are key to setting the 2025–2030 tariff structure to support the delivery of quality services.
“The last major tariff review was conducted in 2022. The utilities made their submissions, and the PURC approved tariffs accordingly. Today, they are expected to account for how those funds were utilized, how it benefited the system and consumers, and how they plan to use any new tariffs that may be approved,” she said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: GNPC To Host 7th APPO NOC CEOs Meeting In Accra
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), will host the 7th edition of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) National Oil Companies (NOCs) CEOs Meeting in Accra from 14th to 15th September 2025.
This flagship APPO platform will bring together CEOs and senior executives from 19 African oil-producing nations to engage in strategic dialogue on regional collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in Africa’s petroleum sector.
Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, Acting Chief Executive Officer of GNPC and current Chair of the APPO NOC CEOs Forum, will preside over the meeting.
His leadership affirms Ghana’s growing influence in Africa’s energy space and GNPC’s role as a driver of regional partnerships.
“This summit highlights Ghana’s stature in Africa’s petroleum industry and GNPC’s commitment to advancing cooperation and innovation for the continent’s shared progress,” Mr. Amoah said.
Taking place on the margins of Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2025, the forum further positions Ghana at the center of Africa’s energy conversation.
The two-day summit aims to deliver actionable outcomes on shared infrastructure, local content, innovation, and investment opportunities across APPO member states, strengthening intra-African energy cooperation.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Egypt: Bp Signs MoU To Drill 5 Oil Wells In The Mediterranean
UK’s multinational oil company bp has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drill five oil wells in the Mediterranean Sea. The MoU was signed during the visit of H.E. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; H.E. Ashraf Swelam, Egypt’s Ambassador to the UK; and Dr. Geo Samir Raslan, Undersecretary for Exploration and Agreements at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, to bp’s headquarters in London.
The delegation met with Murray Auchincloss, bp’s Chief Executive Officer; William Lin, Executive Vice President for Gas and Low Carbon Energy; Nader Zaki, Regional President, Middle East and North Africa; and Wail Shaheen, President of bp Egypt.
According to bp, the MoU underscores the strength of the long-standing partnership between bp and the Egyptian government.
Nader Zaki, Regional President for the Middle East and North Africa, added: “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Egyptian government. This memorandum represents a strategic step in our investments in Egypt’s energy sector during this decade, enabling us to develop additional gas resources in the West Nile Delta and bring them onstream as quickly as possible to meet the needs of the local market.”
The agreement comes as bp plans to increase production to 2.3-2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent a day in 2030, with the capacity to increase production out to 2035. It follows a successful exploration campaign in the first half of 2025, in which bp made 10 discoveries, including two in Egypt, where it completed drilling activity at the Fayoum-5 gas discovery well and El King-2 exploration well, both part of the West Nile Delta development.
bp has been operating in Egypt for more than 60 years. Through strategic partnerships and sustained investments, the company continues to play a pivotal role in developing the country’s energy resources.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Buhari Threatened To Sack Me For Recommending Subsidy Removal — Kachikwu
Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, has recalled how the country’s former President, the late Muhammadu Buhari, threatened to sack him after he recommended the removal of fuel subsidy and an increase in the petrol pump price.
Mr Kachikwu, who served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2016 to 2019, disclosed this during a business mentorship lecture series organized by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.
He revealed that his greatest challenge when he assumed office as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in 2015 was the persistent fuel queues that grounded economic activities nationwide.
Mr Kachikwu recalled that despite sleepless nights and efforts to ease the crisis, much of the subsidized petrol imported into Nigeria was being smuggled across the borders, making scarcity inevitable.
“The greatest challenge that I had when I resumed as GMD was the issue of long queues at petrol stations.
“Very few Nigerians realize how much of a traumatic experience it is for a minister or a GMD, who’s committed, to get up in the morning and find out the whole country is grounded.
“Of course, I’ll go to filling stations, try to help them fill, and try to make sure there are no unnecessary traffic obstructions. At the end of the day, every time that happened, I had no sleep.
“When I then did my investigation, it was clear that a lot of the products we were bringing were crossing the border at subsidized rates.
“No matter how much I tried to work with customs, work with the ministry, or work with everybody, it just never happened. It just kept going because the position didn’t have the political or security resources to police Nigeria’s borders.”
Recounting his ordeal, the former minister said he repeatedly approached Mr Buhari to allow a review of pump prices to end the losses.
He, however, said the President, who he said held a populist ideology, resisted the suggestion.
“I went to the President very many times, and I said, ‘Look, I need to move up on price. He resisted that very much because of his populist-type position. Eventually, he said, ‘Okay, you know what? I’ll leave you to take the risk. If you take the risk and it works, fine. If it doesn’t work, I fire you.’ That’s all well and good for me. And I did,” he recalled.
The former minister explained that he introduced what he termed ‘price modulation’, a policy that allowed petrol prices to reflect international market realities.
He further disclosed that the slight adjustment not only removed the subsidy but also cleared fuel queues across the country within 48 hours.
“That singular price adjustment removed the subsidy. There was no more subsidy. And within 48 hours, magically, every queue in the country stopped. It never happened again until I left. So, that was how I could, at least, sleep better, and the government was willing to make more money,” he added.
Mr Kachikwu also narrated how he declined to pay billions of Naira in outstanding subsidy arrears he inherited.
“We didn’t pay the arrears of subsidy because my position was that I could not audit the transparency of the subsidy claims. So, I preferred not to deal with those issues,” he said.
Source: Dailynigeria.com
Nigeria: NUPENG Suspends Two-Day Strike
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its two-day strike following a meeting with officials of the Federal Government and the Dangote Group.
The industrial action, which lasted two days, disrupted fuel supply in parts of the country.
According to reports, attendees at the meeting included representatives of the Dangote Group led by Sayyu Dantata, officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and other stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with the signing of an agreement in which the Dangote Refinery committed to unionising its truck drivers.
“Following the threat to embark on industrial action by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers over the refusal of the management of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited to allow their employees to be unionised by registered labour unions, a conciliation meeting was held at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment. It was revealed in the course of the meeting that:
“The management agreed with this fact and responded that they are not averse to the unionisation of their employees by labour unions in line with the provisions of the extant labour laws. After exhaustive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached by both parties:
“That since workers’ unionisation is a right in line with the provisions of the law, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionisation of employees of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals who are willing to unionise.
“That the process of unionisation shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (9–22 September 2025), and it was agreed that the employer will not establish any alternative union.
“Arising from the strike notice, no worker or employee of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals will be victimised,” the agreement read.
The parties also agreed to report back to the Minister of Labour a week after the conclusion of the process. Based on the memorandum of understanding (MoU), NUPENG suspended the industrial action with immediate effect.
The MoU was signed by Dangote Group’s Sayyu Dantata; NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale; NMDPRA official O.K. Ukoha; Labour Ministry Director Amos Falonipe; and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Energy Media Group Opens Nominations For 9th Ghana Energy Awards, Closes October 31
The Energy Media Group, organisers of the Ghana Energy Awards, has opened nominations for this year’s edition following a successful launch at the Airport View Hotel in Accra, Ghana’s capital, on September 9, 2025.
Nominations are open until October 31, 2025.
The official unveiling brought together several key players in the energy industry from both government and the private sector.
The prestigious awards, which will be held under the theme “Repositioning the Energy Sector as a Pillar of National Development,” will feature 26 competitive and six honorary categories.
Key awards include Energy Personality of the Year, CEO of the Year, and Energy Company of the Year. New categories include Energy Sector Reformer of the Year, Upstream Company of the Year, Downstream Company of the Year, Energy Sector Operational Resilience Award, and Emerging Female Leader in Energy.
Organisers and government officials used the occasion to stress the importance of the theme, urging stakeholders to recognise energy not just as an enabler of growth but as the foundation of Ghana’s socio-economic transformation.
Since its inception in 2017, the annual awards—endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and the World Energy Council–Ghana—have recognised individuals and institutions for exemplary contributions to Ghana’s energy sector.
In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Minister Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, described the awards as a “beacon of excellence, innovation, and leadership” in the energy landscape.
He added: “It not only celebrates outstanding achievements but also inspires continued commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy future for our nation.”
Hon. Jinapor also underscored the importance of energy access to Ghana’s development:
“For a country like Ghana, whose socio-economic growth is intimately tied to energy access and reliability, the energy sector is not a mere enabler of development; it is its foundation.”
Event Director and CEO of the Energy Media Group, Ing. Henry Teinor, explained that this year’s launch was moved from its usual May/June period to allow for wider stakeholder engagement. Courtesy calls were conducted with sector leaders to introduce the scheme, gather feedback from last year’s edition, and align with evolving policy priorities.
“This proactive outreach underscores our dedication to inclusivity and deeper sectoral engagement,” Ing. Teinor stated, adding that further engagements will continue after the launch.
Beyond the annual celebration, organisers emphasised that the Ghana Energy Awards aim to create a lasting impact on society. Ing. Teinor highlighted the Energy Personalities Outreach Programme (EPOP)—a STEM initiative where the Energy Personalities of the Year (Male and Female) engage with senior high school students to inspire and nurture the next generation of energy leaders. So far, the programme has reached more than 15,000 students nationwide.
The organisers also announced a new endorsement from the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), joining existing endorsements from the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the World Energy Council–Ghana, and independent validators Forvis Mazars and Casely Brooke Law Firm.
Ing. Teinor further revealed that a redesigned awards website is nearing completion, with new provisions for virtual courtesy calls and site visits to broaden participation. These innovations, he said, will “enhance accessibility and allow for broader participation from across the country.”
Chairman of the Awarding Panel, Kwame Jantuah, Esq., said this year’s theme reflects the critical role of energy in Ghana’s future.
“Energy is not just an enabler of development; it is the very engine that powers industry, education, healthcare, digital transformation, and job creation,” he noted.
The panel, which held its first sitting in July, includes experts from academia, policy, law, and industry. It reviewed feedback from stakeholders and refined the award categories to ensure their continued relevance.
“Our focus is not only on rewarding success but on setting meaningful benchmarks for excellence,” Mr. Jantuah added.
Nominations are open until October 31, 2025 via https://ghanaenergyawards.com/nomination-category.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com EU Court Upholds Green Label For Gas And Nuclear Energy
The General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Europe’s second-highest court, ruled on Wednesday that the EU has the right to label some natural gas and nuclear projects as “sustainable investments,” dismissing a challenge brought by Austria.
In 2022, the European Commission updated in 2022 its Taxonomy Complementary Climate Delegated Act on climate change mitigation and adaptation covering certain gas and nuclear activities. Under the new taxonomy, some gas projects, including several pipelines, were given a “sustainable investment” status. Gas projects are “transitional” if they contribute to the transition from coal to renewables, the EU says. Faced with uncertainty in energy supply after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis that followed, the EU allowed certain nuclear and gas projects to be classed as “sustainable investments”. In its ruling today, the General Court said that “The Commission was entitled to take the view that certain economic activities in the nuclear energy and fossil gas sectors can, under certain conditions, contribute substantially to climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.” With this ruling, the court dismissed Austria’s action against the inclusion of nuclear energy and fossil gas in the sustainable investment framework. Austria had sought an annulment of the regulation. But the court sided with the Commission and noted that the EC “was entitled to take the view that nuclear energy generation has near to zero greenhouse gas emissions and that there are currently no technologically and economically feasible low-carbon alternatives at a sufficient scale, such as renewable energy sources, to cover the energy demand in a continuous and reliable manner.” “The approach taken by the 2022 delegated regulation is a gradual approach based on a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in stages, while allowing for security of supply,” the General Court said. The court’s decision is “very regrettable,” Austrian Climate Minister Norbert Totschnig said in a statement sent to AFP. Environmentalists weren’t happy with the court’s ruling, either. “A dark day for the climate. The ruling is a major setback for climate and consumer protection,” Martin Kaiser, executive director of Greenpeace Germany, said. “With this ruling, the European Court of Justice legitimizes greenwashing in the financial sector and undermines Europe’s climate targets,” Kaiser added. Source: Oilprice.comKenya: Tourist Dies After Sudden Collapse At Kenya’s Olkaria Geothermal Spa
The Kenya Electricity Generation Company (KenGen) has confirmed the death of a tourist who collapsed at its Olkaria Geothermal Spa on the afternoon of Sunday, September 7, 2025.
According to KenGen, the tourist collapsed while enjoying the facility.
Lifeguards and the on-site medical team responded immediately, providing first aid and advanced life support before transferring the individual to Naivasha Level IV Hospital using one of the company’s ambulances, which was on standby at the spa.
In a statement, KenGen noted that despite all emergency efforts—both on-site and at the hospital—the visitor was sadly pronounced dead while receiving treatment.
KenGen extended its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by the tragic loss.
“We share in their grief and remain ready to offer every possible support during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Despite the tragedy, KenGen emphasized that safety remains a core value in its operations and reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest health and safety standards across all its facilities.
The company added that it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities as they work to establish the cause of death and assured the public that updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Source:hhtps://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Energy Minister Inaugurates Electricity Market Oversight Panel (EMOP)
Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, inaugurated a 10-member Electricity Market Oversight Panel (EMOP) on September 5, 2025.
The panel’s primary role is to reinforce regulatory oversight, promote efficiency, and enhance credibility of the electricity supply chain. Hon. Jinapor urged them to develop strategies ensuring continuous stability in the electricity sector.
The EMOP is chaired by Mr. Samuel Sarpong. The other members are Ing. Bernard Mordey, Mrs. Eunice Biritwum (Acting Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission), Kisman A. Eghan, Frank A. Yeboah, Richard N.A. Badger, Frank A. Otchere, Mr. Julius Kwame Kpekpena (Acting Managing Director of ECG), Ing. Mark Awuah Baah (Acting Chief Executive Officer of GRIDCo), and Dr. Shafic Suleman (Acting Executive Secretary of PURC).
The Electricity Regulations, 2008 (L.I. 1937), established the Ghana Wholesale Electricity Market (GWEM) to facilitate wholesale trading of electricity and the provision of ancillary services in the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS). L.I. 1937 further established the Electricity Market Oversight Panel (EMOP) to supervise the administration and operation of the GWEM.
In his address, Energy Minister Hon. Jinapor expressed confidence in their expertise and pledged the Ministry’s support and guidance in their operations.
The Minister further directed the panel to review the operations, procedures, and manual of the wholesale electricity market.
Chairman of the panel, Mr. Samuel Sarpong, assured that the panel will be strictly guided by the newly approved market rules, as well as existing policies and regulations in the sector.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: ZESCO Blames Intermittent Power Supply On System Instability
Zambia’s power utility company, ZESCO Limited, has attributed the recent power outages experienced in parts of the country to system instability in its network.
The power distributor acknowledged the inconvenience caused and apologised to affected residents.
In a statement, ZESCO assured the public that its technical teams are working diligently to restore normal supply.
“Our technical teams are actively working to resolve these challenges and restore stable supply in the shortest possible time,” the company said.
Despite the challenges, ZESCO reiterated its commitment to providing reliable service and pledged to continue updating the public as the situation evolves.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding,” the statement concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.comEthiopia: Prime Minister Abiy Commissions Africa’s Largest 5,000MW Hydropower Dam
Ethiopia has officially inaugurated Africa’s largest hydroelectric power dam, located on a tributary of the Nile River.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), constructed at a cost of $5 billion, has sparked hope among Ethiopians as it is expected to supply electricity to millions of citizens.
The dam’s output has gradually increased since the first turbine was activated in 2022, reaching its maximum capacity of 5,150 MW on Tuesday.
This places it among the world’s 20 largest hydroelectric dams, with about one-quarter of the capacity of China’s Three Gorges Dam.
At a ceremony held on Tuesday at the site in Guba, an Ethiopian fighter jet flew low over the mist from the dam’s cascading waters, which plunge 170 metres (558 feet).
Beneath the canopy of a giant Ethiopian flag, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed dignitaries, including the presidents of Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya.
“To our brothers in Sudan and Egypt: Ethiopia built the dam to prosper, to electrify the entire region, and to change the history of black people,” Abiy said. “It is absolutely not to harm its brothers.”
Abiy emphasized that the dam will expand electricity access for nearly half of Ethiopia’s population who lacked it as recently as 2022, while enabling the country to export surplus power across the region.
The reservoir created by the dam has flooded an area larger than Greater London. The government says this will help provide a steady water supply for irrigation downstream and limit both floods and droughts.
However, Ethiopia’s downstream neighbours have viewed the project with concern since construction began in 2011.
Egypt, which built its own Aswan High Dam on the Nile in the 1960s, fears the GERD could restrict its water supply during droughts and potentially set a precedent for other upstream dams. Its Foreign Ministry wrote to the U.N. Security Council, arguing that the inauguration violated international law.
Cairo has long opposed the project, citing water treaties from the early 20th century and describing the dam as an existential threat. Egypt has stated it reserves the right to “take all appropriate measures to defend and protect the interests of the Egyptian people.”
While refraining from direct reprisals against Ethiopia, Cairo has strengthened ties in recent years with Addis Ababa’s regional rivals, notably Eritrea.
Sudan, meanwhile, has echoed Egypt’s call for a legally binding agreement on the dam’s filling and operation but also stands to benefit from improved flood control and access to affordable electricity.
Ethiopia has filled the reservoir in phases since 2020, insisting the process would not significantly harm downstream countries. Independent research supports this claim, noting that so far no major disruptions to downstream water flow have been recorded—thanks to both favourable rainfall and the phased filling of the reservoir during wet seasons over a five-year period.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The reservoir created by the dam has flooded an area larger than Greater London. The government says this will help provide a steady water supply for irrigation downstream and limit both floods and droughts.
However, Ethiopia’s downstream neighbours have viewed the project with concern since construction began in 2011.
Egypt, which built its own Aswan High Dam on the Nile in the 1960s, fears the GERD could restrict its water supply during droughts and potentially set a precedent for other upstream dams. Its Foreign Ministry wrote to the U.N. Security Council, arguing that the inauguration violated international law.
Cairo has long opposed the project, citing water treaties from the early 20th century and describing the dam as an existential threat. Egypt has stated it reserves the right to “take all appropriate measures to defend and protect the interests of the Egyptian people.”
While refraining from direct reprisals against Ethiopia, Cairo has strengthened ties in recent years with Addis Ababa’s regional rivals, notably Eritrea.
Sudan, meanwhile, has echoed Egypt’s call for a legally binding agreement on the dam’s filling and operation but also stands to benefit from improved flood control and access to affordable electricity.
Ethiopia has filled the reservoir in phases since 2020, insisting the process would not significantly harm downstream countries. Independent research supports this claim, noting that so far no major disruptions to downstream water flow have been recorded—thanks to both favourable rainfall and the phased filling of the reservoir during wet seasons over a five-year period.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: ECG To Invest $1.1 Billion In Distribution Network Over Next Five Years; Seeks Approval For 225% Increase In Distribution Service Charge
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced plans to invest $1.1 billion in its distribution network over the next five years to improve power supply, this portal can confirm.
According to ECG, the planned investment will cover projects aimed at enhancing electricity reliability, reducing technical losses, improving revenue collection, and addressing other operational areas.
Of the total $1.6 billion investment plan, the allocation is as follows:$426 million for reliability improvement projects, $89 million for technical loss and voltage improvement projects, $925 million for commercial and revenue improvement projects, and $182 million for other distribution network-related projects.
Out of the total amount, donors and the Government of Ghana are expected to contribute $222 million, with the remaining $1.4 billion to be funded through tariff provisions.
As a result, ECG has proposed to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to increase its distribution service charge from Ghp19.03 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to Ghp64.80 per kWh, representing a 225% increase for the 2025–2029 Multi-Year Tariff Review period.
ECG has already invested $408 million since 2022 in substations, system automation, and the deployment of 1 million smart meters.
The company plans to roll out an additional 3.1 million smart meters if the new tariff is approved.
The company assures customers of improved billing accuracy, free replacement of faulty meters, faster complaint resolution, and enhanced voltage supply.
The PURC began tariff consultations on Monday, with civil society organizations (CSOs) and media representatives in attendance.
The commission will make its final decision after the stakeholder consultation process is completed.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com