There are no plans for the creation of a natural gas cartel similar to the OPEC cartel in crude oil, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.
“There are no discussions to set up a (gas) cartel,” Novak told RT Arabic TV as quoted by Reuters.
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is an organization of gas producers and exporters, but it is not coordinating supply to the market the way OPEC does. Russia is a member of the GECF and its top energy official Novak said in the televised interview that the gas organization was “mostly about exchanging views.”
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the halt of most of Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe, the EU has turned to LNG imports and increased deliveries via offshore pipelines from Norway and North Africa to replace the Russian supply, which accounted for around one-third of all European gas imports before the war in Ukraine.
The EU aims to ditch Russian gas by 2027.
Having lost the European market, Russia has raised pipeline exports to China and its global LNG exports, which are neither sanctioned nor too shunned in gas-starved Europe.
This year, the exports of Russian gas giant Gazprom to Europe have slumped and dragged its profits down. Gazprom has reported a massive drop in its first-half net profit as deliveries to Europe plunged compared to the same period in 2022 when Russia was still supplying pipeline gas to its European customers.
The major drop in Gazprom’s gas deliveries to key customers was due to the halt of Russian pipeline gas exports to nearly all European countries.
Gazprom started to reduce supply via the Nord Stream pipeline to Germany in June 2022, claiming an inability to service gas turbine maintenance outside Russia due to the Western sanctions against Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine.
This was weeks before the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines at the end of September 2022, which definitively closed all pipeline gas routes of Russia’s gas to Germany.
Source: Oilprice.com
The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc in the Republic of Nigeria has empathised with the victims of Saturday’s incident at the Kabong area, Rukuba Road, in Jos.
Six persons reportedly died after a high-tension line snapped onto the low-tension lines in a voltage supply outside limits.
A statement issued by Dr Friday Adakole Elijah,Head of Corporate Communications at Jos Electricity Distribution Company, expressed the company’s deepest sympathies to families who encountered losses as a result of the incident.
He said preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was a result of a high-tension line snap onto the low-tension lines which resulted in a voltage supply outside limits.
“The source feeder tripped off and inter-tripped the transmission end source from the Makeri Transmission Station.
“We will continue to be monitoring the situation closely and communicate the facts of this regrettable incident,” he stated.
He said an evaluation of the root causes is underway, and appropriate measures would be put in place to avert future occurrences.
“We are grateful to traditional and community leaders in the area for all their support in managing the effects of the accident,” he said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Volta River Authority (VRA), managers of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Power Dams in the Republic of Ghana, has stated categorically that it will continue the ongoing spilling of water from the Akosombo Dam until the water level returns to normal.
According to the state-owned largest power generation company, halting the ongoing spillage would threaten the integrity of the dam and the consequences could be devastating.
“The VRA will continue to monitor the inflows into the Akosombo reservoir and make a decision to close the spillage when the situation suggests so,” Ing Edward Obeng Kenzo, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Engineering and Operations at VRA, said at a press conference which was attended by the VRA CEO, Mr Emmanuel Antwi -Darkwa, Ing Ken Arthur, Deputy Chief Executive in-charge of Services, and Hon Herbert Krapa, Deputy Minister for Energy, in Akosombo last Thursday.
He noted that the ongoing spillage is not the first time in the history of the Akosombo Dam, stating that similar exercise was undertaken in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1991 and 2010.
He explained that these were all done to prevent the water from overtopping the dam.
Giving details about the level of volume of water which has necessitated the spilling, Mr. Abdul Koore Wahab, Manager in charge of Generation and System Planning said the volume of water in the Akosombo Dam currently stands at about 150 billion cubic meters.
According to him, VRA intends to spill the excess which is about 6,600 cubic meters.
He said as of Thursday, October 11, they had leaked about 0.4 cubic meters, representing less than one per cent.
Mr. Abdul Koore Wahab noted that the tracking of inflows into the dam at the moment indicates a level exceeding its operational of 276 feet.
According to him, their forecast indicates that the water level would rise to about 277.50 feet by November if nothing is done.
He warned that Ghana would lose the biggest dam in the West African nation if the water level rises to 277.50 feet.
The ongoing spillage has displaced hundreds of residents in parts of Greater Accra and Volta Regions who are living downstream of Akosombo Dam.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, will on Monday, October 16, 2023, pay a working visit to the Akosombo Hydroelectric Power Dam in the Eastern Region and some of the communities severely flooded by the ongoing spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam.
The Director for Communications at the Jubilee House, the Seat of Government, Mr. Eugene Arhin, disclosed this in a post on his Facebook, Sunday.
According to him, President Akufo-Addo would be joined by the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee which was set up last week to coordinate the government’s response to the flooding and bring relief to affected people.
The Volta River Authority began the controlled spilling of Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Power Dams on September 15, 2023.
The power generation company said the spillage is to protect the dams due to consistent inflows into the reservoir of the Akosombo Dam.
The exercise has resulted in the flooding of most communities downstream, displacing hundreds of settlers.
Areas severely flooded include Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, Ada and surrounding towns.
Last Wednesday, the Volta River Authority (VRA) donated two trucks of relief items to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to be distributed to the victims.
Residents of the affected communities are calling on the government to intensify support efforts for them.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Six people were electrocuted at Kabong community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau in the Republic of Nigeria on Saturday after a high-tension line snapped onto the low-tension lines in a voltage supply outside limits.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, a faulty line emitted sparks and electrocuted the victims in their various homes at about 3 a.m.
The report said the unfortunate incident resulted in some houses and shops being razed in the community, leaving scores of residents in tears.
Commenting on the incident after visiting the scene, the sole administrator of the Jos North Local Government Council, Istifanu John described it as very unfortunate.
He said the accident inflicted other losses on the state and called on the JED to fix all faults that might have triggered the nightmare.
“This is pathetic because it is an avoidable situation.
“Those that lost their lives didn’t go anywhere to look for trouble; they died in their homes.
“As a government, we are pained by this development.
“We call on JED to ensure that all faulty power sources are fixed to avoid this monumental loss in the future,” he said.
Mr John consoled the bereaved families and called on residents to be wary about their use of electric appliances.
Solomon Odidi, who is a spokesperson for the traders association in the community, blamed the incident on erratic power supplied by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company only at night.
He commended the Plateau Fire Service for its timely response, which, he said, minimised the number of casualties and saved further damages.
Mr Odidi appealed to the government to support the bereaved families and those whose properties were destroyed in the accident.
Burkina Faso’s military junta has signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear power plant to boost the electricity supply in the West African nation.
The deal, which was signed on Friday, October 13, 2023, followed talks between Ibrahim Traore, leader of the junta, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in July, during the Russia-Africa summit.
Traore requested Putin’s support in setting up a nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso, which he said would help meet the country’s energy demands.
“We have a critical need for energy. This is an important point for me because we need, if possible, to build a nuclear power station in Burkina Faso to produce electricity,” he said.
“Our position is rather strategic because we are in the heart of West Africa and we have an energy deficit in the sub-region.”
Burkina Faso is one of the countries with the least access to electricity globally, with only 21 per cent of people connected to the grid.
The deal is part of the country’s target to achieve 95 per cent electricity access for urban areas and 50 per cent for rural areas by 2030.
In 2017, Russia signed a deal to build two nuclear power plants in Nigeria but the project is yet to begin.
The deal was reported to have been worth US$20 billion.
Currently, in Africa, South Africa is the only country that produces nuclear power on a commercial scale.
Some of the countries in Africa that have initiated processes to establish nuclear power plants include Ghana, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa’s much-awaited Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for deliberation and approval before the end of October 2023, according to the sector minister, Gwede Mantashe.
The Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) informs South Africa’s energy planning by specifying which generation technologies would be used to meet demand.
Speaking to the press after addressing participants at the Africa Oil Week in Cape Town, Mantashe said proposals for the IRP are being developed based on mathematical modelling.
He did not say whether certain energy generation technologies would be included or excluded, as that would be “putting the cart before the horse.
“I can tell you that it will be a multi-pathway IRP that we will see,” he said.
The current IRP 2019 maps out South Africa’s energy planning up to 2030.
Asked when the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) would be ready and if reports that wind energy would be excluded from the plan were true, Mantashe said to suggest a specific form of energy technology would be excluded before the plan is presented to the cabinet was to make “assumptions”.
“We have completed a model for the IRP. We are now composing a proposal. To say something will be excluded will be putting the cart before the horse. There will be a public consultation process and it will be a multifaceted set of proposals and consultation.”
The Minister also remarked that the department is ready to issue Bid Window 7 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme but said Eskom is not ready.
“Eskom must give assurance that they have an offtake agreement with us,” he said.
Secondly, Eskom must also ensure it has transmission capacity.
“If we do not get that from Eskom, we are in big trouble.”
The government was unable to award bids for wind projects in round six of the REIPPPP owing to grid constraints.
The current grid constraints are due to an unpredictable surge in renewables, happening much faster than planned, Eskom’s strategic grid planning manager, Ronald Marais told wind energy industry players at a conference last week.
Currently, the National Energy Crisis Committee has a workstream set up to deal with grid capacity constraints as well as potential financing solutions for grid expansion.
Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has fined seven Petroleum Products Marketing Companies (PPMCs) for engaging in illicit distribution of petroleum products.
The companies are Andev Co Ltd, Beap Energy, BF Petroleum, Anasset Co Ltd, Cost Energy, Compass Oleum and Concord Oil Ltd.
They are to pay fines for violation of Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) regulations, making false UPPF representations to the Authority, and engaging in third-party supplies.
A statement issued by NPA warned that failure by the affected companies to pay the fines will lead to a three-month suspension of their operations.
In the case of Andev Co. Ltd, it would pay a total fine of GHS90,000.00. This comprises GHS10,000.00 for violating UPPF regulations and GHS10,000.00 each for eight counts of making false UPPF representations to the Authority.
Beap Energy is to pay a total fine of GHS20,000.00, comprising GHS10,000.00 for violating UPPF regulations and GHS5,000.00 each for two (2) counts of third-party supplies.
Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Chief Executive of National Petroleum Authority
For BF Petroleum, the company will pay a total fine of GHS95,000.00. This constitutes GHS10,000.00 for violating UPPF regulations, GHS5,000.00 each for ten (10) counts of third-party supplies and GHS5,000.00 each for seven (7) counts of lifting petroleum products without cross-zonal authorization.
Anasset Co. Ltd is to pay a total fine of GHS50,000.00. This comprises GHS10,000.00 for violating UPPF regulations, GHS10,000.00 each for four (4) counts of making false UPPF representations to the Authority.
Another company, Cost Energy is to pay a total fine of GHS 665,000.00, comprising GHS10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies and GHS5,000.00 each for one hundred and thirty-one (131) counts of third-party supplies.
Compass Oleum Ltd will pay a total fine of GHS350,000.00. This constitutes GHS10,000.00 for violating UPPF regulations, GHS5,000.00 each for fifteen (15) counts of lifting petroleum products without cross zonal authorization and GHS,5000.00 each for fifty-three (53) counts of engaging in Third Party supplies.
Concord Oil Ltd is to pay a total fine of GHS65,000.00. This comprises GHS10,000.00 for violating UPPF regulations, GHS5,000.00 each for four (4) counts of engaging in third-party supplies and GHS5,000.00 each for seven (7) counts of lifting Petroleum products without cross-zonal authorization.
The NPA cautioned that any company that fails to comply with the approved rules and regulations stipulated by the Authority would be subjected to further sanctions.
The UPPF ensures that prices of petroleum products are the same across the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Iran and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding pertaining to oil and gas on the sidelines of the 6th Russian Energy Week International Forum.
The MoU was signed by the chief of Iran’s Institute for International Studies and the CEO of Russia’s Roscongress Foundation, SHANA reported.
The two organizations—sharing similar footing over Western sanctions of its oil and gas exports—will team up to study proposed projects for energy cooperation between the two countries.
The groups will also form a think tank to study and pursue joint collaborations in terms of energy.
Iran’s Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji was visiting Moscow this week for Russian Energy Week on an invitation from Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
On Wednesday, Owji disclosed that the two countries both had access to significant reserves of hydrocarbons and said that MoUs had been signed with upstream and downstream companies in Russia, adding that oil and gas cooperation between the two countries was one of the primary reasons for the visit to Moscow.
This week’s visit follows Alexander Novak’s visit to Iran back in May, where he highlighted the benefits of increased cooperation between Iran and Russia in the areas of oil and gas.
At the time, Novak visited several oil and gas equipment manufacturers and discussed plans to work together with Owji.
The two countries would benefit from cooperation in the fossil fuels segments, with both countries’ industries being squeezed by Western sanctions.
Cooperation between the two could undermine the effectiveness of the sanctions, which has already been called into question.
The two countries rely heavily on their oil and gas riches to finance their state budgets, and even current sanctions have failed to strip the two of their fossil fuel-derived revenues.
China remains a large buyer of sanctioned Iranian and Russian crude oil.
Source: Oilprice.com
Managing South Africa’s transmission network more strategically could unlock significant amounts of renewable energy capacity, to make more power available to the country, its people and its economy.
This view was expressed by Segomoco Scheepers, Managing Director of the transmission division for Eskom during a presentation at the Green Energy Africa Summit on Tuesday.
According to him, by using a system called curtailment, the transmission network can be capacitated to host more renewable generators, and up to 4GW of additional capacity can be connected.
Current Eskom peak daily generation is around 28GW.
Energynewsafrica.com gathered that curtailment involves reducing output from renewables plants to release immediate grid capacity.
“Curtailment is a technique applied by utilities in parts of the world that have a far larger penetration of renewables than we have,” said Scheepers.
“We are engaging with our customer base who might be affected by the curtailment plan, and so far the feedback has been very positive.”
The curtailment approach could unlock scarce grid capacity in high-potential renewables regions like the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape, and would allow for additional generation capacity to be built at points on the grid that had previously been fully committed.
“In general terms, for the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape. With less than 10% curtailment, we can add an additional 4GW of generation capacity. But clearly, it’s something that needs to be properly discussed with the regulator and other stakeholders,” said Scheepers.
“We will then be able to communicate who can be connected to specific nodes on the grid. Getting approval for this strategy is already part of our workflow process.”
Scheepers said the proposed framework requires the approval of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and an outline by the Independent Power Producer Office.
“Without curtailment, it’s almost like you are wasting energy,” explained Scheepers.
“Curtailment ensures we don’t destabilise the system by getting too much generation when the demand is actually low.”
Scheepers also said Eskom planned to be more systematic in how it dealt with its connection obligations.
“From a generation perspective, as we increase the level of renewables into the system, it’s important that we assess the cumulative impact of all the allocations before they are approved. Because if you over-commit in your approval of renewables, you potentially could be putting the system at risk, which is something we totally must avoid.’
“We are living in exciting times,” said Scheepers. “We continue working to decarbonise and to improve energy security. The transmission grid is critical to enabling that.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has cut power supply to Sogakope and surrounding towns due to flooding of its substation in the area.
The action is as a result of the ongoing controlled spilling of Akosombo Dam by Volta River Authority.
A statement jointly issued by GRIDCo and VRA on Wednesday October 11,2023, noted that the shutdown of the substation was based on safety reasons to mitigate the risk of electrocution, loss of life and related dangers.
Areas affected are Sogakpe, Akatsi, Adidome, Anloga, Abor, Keta and surrounding areas.
The statement assured that power supply would be restored as soon as the situation improves.
“GRIDCo and VRA deeply regret any inconvenience caused by this exercise,” the statement concluded.
When energynewsafrica.com reporter visited Sogakope and some areas in Central Tongu District, some houses were seen submerged.
Some residents told this portal that power supply to the area had been cut because the Substation had been flooded.
Owners of the said houses had relocated to higher grounds for their safety as a result of a sensitisation exercise carried out in the area by VRA and NADMO.
The VRA commenced controlled spilling of Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams on September 15, 2023, due to consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo reservoir.
On Monday, October 9, 2023, the power generation issued an update on the spillage.
VRA informed Ghanaians especially those living around the dams that they have increased the rate of the spillage.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Volta River Authority (VRA), managers of the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric power dams in the Republic of Ghana has presented relief items to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) for onward distribution to communities affected by the ongoing spilling of water from the two dams.
The relief items which included mattresses, blankets, various food items, clothes and toiletries were presented by Ing. Ken Arthur, the Deputy Chief Executive in-charge of Services of VRA to the Director General of NADMO, Mr. Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh at a short ceremony at the Central Tongu District Assembly in Adidome.
The Districts affected by the spilling are South Tongu, Central Tongu , North Tongu and Anlo all the Volta Region and Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region and Ada East and Shai Osudoku in the Greater Accra Region.
Energynewsafrica.com team joined officials of VRA and NADMO to visit some of the affected areas in Central Tongu.
Communities hardly hit by the spilling in the Central Tongu included Mafi Dugame, Atsemkofe, Avadinoekowe, Akpokofe, Siamekofe and Devine.
In the North Tongu District, energynewsafrica.com understands Mepe is one the worse affected areas as most houses have been submerged.
Speaking to Nana Agyemang Prempeh, Director General of NADMO, he said it is their responsibility as disaster management organization to ensure that people affected by the disaster are given some relief items to minimize their pain and rescue people to safe areas.
Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, Director General of National Disaster Management Organisation
He said the items from the Volta River Authority is the first consignment of relief items to be distributed to the affected communities adding that “from tomorrow going more relief items would be despatched to the affected communities.”
He said a team from NADMO and VRA have been in the communities to sensitise them.
He said it has become necessary for VRA to spill the dam and urged residents at the downstream of the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams to move to higher grounds.
Mr. Agyemang Prempeh could not immediately provide the number of residents who have been impacted by the spilling so far.
The District Chief Executive for Central Tongu Assembly, Thomas Moore Zonyrah told this portal that they have evacuated about 320 people from the two Islands in the District to a safe haven adding that steps are being taken to evacuate the remaining people.
Mr Thomas Moore, DCE for Central Tongu
He also appealed to residents in low areas to avoid being threatened by by the spillage.
The VRA commenced the controlled spillage on September 15 , 2023, due to consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo reservoir.
In line with its emergency preparedness plan and standard operating procedures, the authority notified its stakeholders, including the downstream communities.
The Authority reiterated that it would continue to work with NADMO and other stakeholders to monitor the situation and provide regular updates to the general public accordingly.
Some of the residents of the Island communities in Central Tongu District evacuated to safe ground.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Volta River Authority (VRA), managers of the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams in the Republic of Ghana, have reiterated calls for residents in communities in the downstream of the Akosombo Dam to relocate to higher ground to ensure their safety.
The Authority made the call in the latest update regarding the ongoing spilling of the Akosombo Dam due to increasing inflow into the dam.
A statement issued by VRA, on Monday, October 9, 2023, informed Ghanaians especially those living around the dam that it has intensified the spill rate.
The statement further noted that VRA is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Metropolitan, Municipal & District
Administrations (MMDAs) and all the relevant stakeholders to educate inform and support the downstream communities to minimise any adverse impact.
“The Authority will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates to the general public, accordingly,” the statement concluded.
It would be recalled that VRA, on Friday, September 15, 2023, began spilling at the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Dams as a result of increasing inflows into the Dam.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Chairperson of South Africa’s power utility company, Eskom, Mr. Mpho Makwana has resigned.
His resignation was announced in a press statement by the Minister for Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan on Monday, October 9, 2023.
According to the Minister, Makwana would step down at the Eskom AGM scheduled for the end of October.
Mpho Makwana was appointed only a year ago and is the shortest-serving chairperson of Eskom to date.
The Minister’s statement indicated that Non-executive director Mteto Nyati would be appointed chairperson of the board.
Nyati, who previously was a CEO of Altron and MTN South Africa, stepped down from the board of Nedbank last week due to “increased capacity constraints”.
While Gordhan did not provide the reason for Makwana’s sudden departure, Makwana said in the statement that the matter had been “amicably settled”.
“I am grateful for the opportunity afforded me by the government to serve a second term as chairperson of the board of directors of Eskom. I wish Eskom and its people success and thank its committed stewards for their unstinting efforts to revive the utility. I thank the Minister for the positive, amicable manner upon which we conclude my tenure,” he stated.
Gordhan said that he wished Makwana well in his endeavours.
Speaking about the way forward, Mr. Gordhan hinted that the work to restructure Eskom and appoint new leadership was ongoing.
“Our efforts to stabilise Eskom and restructure it into three subsidiaries – generation, transmission, and distribution – remain on track. As a government, we are committed to ensuring that Eskom has the right skills, talent, and experience to support our pursuit of a more secure energy future for South Africans,” he said.
The relationship between Gordhan and Makwana deteriorated sharply in recent months.
Among the disagreements between the two has been the selection of a new CEO for Eskom.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
