Ghana: PETROSOL Adjudged Employer Of The Year Championing Diversity And Inclusion
PETROSOL Ghana Ltd., one of the leading indigenous oil marketing companies in the Republic of Ghana received “Employer of the Year Championing Diversity and Inclusion” at the third edition of the Women in Mining and Energy Awards (WIMEA) held on Friday, 8th September, 2023,
This award is a testament to the company’s commitment to promoting female leadership and women empowerment initiatives at the workplace, especially through the activities of the PETROSOL Women Network.
Speaking to the media after receiving the award, David L. O. Mills, the Head of Human Resources thanked the organizers for the recognition and dedicated the award to the hardworking women in PETROSOL who play diverse roles towards the growth of the company.
He paid tribute to the company’s CEO, Michael Bozumbil, for his belief in and support of women empowerment activities.
He added that, as a company, PETROSOL remains committed to empowering female leadership talent by first, identifying these talents through its internship, graduate trainee programs and recruitment processes; aligning these talents behind the company’s values and culture and the right leaders and lastly, unleashing their potential through several mentorship programs that are intentionally organized to build their capabilities.
PETROSOL Ghana Ltd., is a triple-certified Oil Marketing Company (OMC) for quality, health and safety and environment management systems by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
It retails high quality fuels and lubricants through its network of over one hundred and twenty (120) outlets, making it one of the leading brands in terms of nationwide presence; and also, directly supplies to bulk corporate consumers. It is duly licensed and regulated by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Ghana: PETROSOL Supports National Quality Awards With GHS20,000
PETROSOL Ghana Limited, a privately-owned Ghanaian Oil Marketing Company (OMC), has presented a cheque of Twenty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS20, 000) to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to support them to organise this year’s National Quality Awards.
Making the presentation to the GSA, on behalf of the company, Mr. Joseph Yaribil, the Head of Compliance and Supply Chain/Ag. Head of Marketing explained that PETROSOL finds the National Quality Awards being organised by GSA and in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) a worthy and welcome step aimed at encouraging companies to enhance the quality of their products for the benefit of the consumers, hence the support.
Mr. Yaribil indicated that PETROSOL has an unwavering commitment to quality. To this end, he said beyond the financial support, PETROSOL has invested in delivering high quality fuel and lubricants, meeting both national and international standards, especially the specifications of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), because it believes that the Ghanaian consumer deserves the best.
On his part, Mr. Emmanuel K. Asare, the Head of Systems Certification at the GSA and also the Manager of the National Quality Awards, who received the cheque, expressed appreciation to PETROSOL for the support and encouraged the leadership of the company to continue with its commitment to quality and standards since that will guarantee the sustainability of the business.
PETROSOL Ghana Ltd operates a network of several fuel stations across the country and supplies fuel and lubricants directly to bulk corporate consumers of petroleum products. It is ranked among the top-10 OMCs by the National Petroleum Authority.
It also has triple certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for quality, health and safety, and environmental management systems.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Power Minister Begs TCN Engineers To Speedy Up Restoration Efforts
Nigeria’s new power Minister Adebayo Adelabu is urging engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria to speed efforts to restore power supply across the West African nation.
Adelabu who is currently attending Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference 2023 in Busan, Korean in a series of tweets after the collapse of the national grid, which resulted in total black out wrote, “we are on top of the situation and speedy restoration is in progress”.
“The fire has been arrested fully and over half of the connections are now up and the rest will be fully restored in no time.
“My sincere appreciation to those who responded or expressed concern, via different channels and the team of Engineers for their prompt response to the situation and work done so far. Let’s get the restoration work completed as soon as possible,” he said.
Reports suggested that there was a fire outbreak on Kainji/Jebba 330kV line 2 (Cct K2J) blue phase CVT & Blue phase line Isolator of Kainji/Jebba 330kV line1.
This, according to report resulted to sharp drops in frequency from 50.29Hz to 49.67 Hz at 0:35:06hrs with Jebba generation loss of 356.63MW.
Kainji also started dropping load from 451.45 MW at 00:35:07Hrs to zero.
At 00:41Hrs, frequency dropped further from 49.37 Hz to 48.41Hz then, resulted in system collapse of the grid.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: National Grid Collapses After 421 Days Of Stability
Nigeria was thrown into nationwide black out at about 12:35 am on Thursday, following the collapse of the country’s national electricity grid operated by TCN.
The unfortunate incident comes after the country enjoyed over 421 days of consistent grid stability.
A statement issued by Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, assured Nigerians that, restoration has reached advanced stages with power supply now available in the West, North Central, South, East, and a large portion of the Northern parts of the country.
TCN said it had been able to maintain 400 days of grid stability because, it developed and deployed in-house stop gap measures and tools that it has continued to use to manage the nations grid, ensuring its stability.
“The incident notwithstanding, TCN is determined to continue to do its best to ensure grid stability,” it said
Meanwhile, the collapse that occurred after a fire incident on Kanji/Jebba 330kV line 2, is being investigated, with the view to forestalling future occurrence and invariably further strengthen the grid.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: NPA Holds Downstream Compliance Workshop For Industry Players
The National Petroleum Authority has held a three-day downstream compliance workshop to equip managers and supervisors of oil marketing companies (OMCs) with industry-related information in Accra, capital of Ghana.
Organized by the Business Development Department of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the workshop sought to improve OMCs’ compliance with the Authority’s regulatory requirements and avoid sanctions.
Opening the workshop, a Deputy Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mrs. Linda Asante, said the Authority was ready to provide industry players with all the information needed to comply with the operational requirements.
She said the doors of the Authority were open for them to walk in at any time for information, and cautioned them against going through any third party.
Besides, Mrs. Asante said, they could visit the Authority’s website for any information needed.
“Our doors are always open for you to get all the information. You don’t need ‘goro boys’. Don’t fall prey to any unscrupulous individuals,” she said.
Mrs. Asante noted that the downstream had witnessed challenges since the COVID-19 period characterized by exchange rate fluctuations and increases of prices of petroleum products.
She said the NPA had with the collaboration with industry players made the sector robust and resilient.
In his remarks, the CEO and industry coordinator of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, noted that compliance played a vital role in the success and sustainability of businesses.
He said the workshop afforded industry players the opportunity to share ideas on how to address compliance challenges.
Mr. Agyemang Duah, therefore, lauded the Authority for organizing the workshop to provide industry players with information needed to ensure compliance.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
G20 Leaders Agree To Triple Total Renewable Energy Capacity By $4 Trillion Annual Investments Until 2030
G20 leaders have agreed to accelerate efforts to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, aligning with recommendations from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on how the world can move in line with the Paris Agreement targets.
The Group in a declaration cited a joint report between IRENA and India’s G20 Presidency, titled “Low-Cost Financing for Energy Transitions”, which estimates a need for over USD 4 trillion in annual investments by 2030.
According to IRENA’s “World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023”, released earlier this year in June, the world needs to triple global renewable power capacity to just over 11.000 GW by 2030 to maintain the possibility of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The agreement taken by G20 supports this objective.
“The adoption of a renewable energy target aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement is a significant milestone for the energy transition,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera.
“Over the past decade, thanks to rapidly falling costs, renewable energy has emerged as the most cost-effective energy solution for meeting the growing needs of global populations while simultaneously combating climate change.”
“IRENA is proud to have played a role in the G20’s decision to adopt this target. We will maintain close collaboration with our member countries to deliver on this ambition,” he added.”
La Camera stressed the importance of building on this political momentum as the world prepares for COP28 emphasising that an ambitious action agenda that is inclusive of both developed and developing countries at COP28 will be essential to addressing the climate challenge.
IRENA’s “Low-Cost Financing for Energy Transitions” report, developed in close collaboration with India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), provides a toolbox to increase the availability of low-cost capital in G20 countries and beyond.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
BP CEO Resigns Over Past Relationships With Colleagues
The Chief Executive Officer of oil and gas giant, BP, Mr. Bernard Looney has resigned with immediate effect.
The company has revealed this in a statement on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Looney’s surprise resignation came after allegations of personal relationships with company colleagues surfaced recently, prompting the company to launch an investigation.
According to BP, Looney admitted in the course of the investigation that “he was not fully transparent in his previous disclosures.”
He did not provide details of all relationships and accepted he was obligated to make more complete disclosure.
BP said its board in May 2022 received and reviewed allegations, with the support of external legal counsel, relating to Mr. Looney’s conduct in respect of personal relationships with company colleagues.
“During that review, Mr. Looney disclosed a small number of historical relationships with colleagues prior to becoming CEO.
“No breach of the Company’s Code of Conduct was found. However, the Board sought and was given assurances by Mr. Looney regarding disclosure of past personal relationships, as well as his future behavior,” BP said.
Further allegations of a similar nature were received recently, said BP, and the company began an investigation, which is ongoing.
BP said it has strong values and the Board expects everyone at the Company to behave in accordance with those values.
”All leaders in particular are expected to act as role models and to exercise good judgment in a way that earns the trust of others.
“No decisions have yet been made in respect of any remuneration payments to be made to Mr. Looney,” BP concluded.
Looney, 53, is to be replaced by Murray Auchincloss, the oil major’s chief financial officer, “on an interim basis”.
Kenya: IRENA, AUDA- NEPAD Join Forces To Advance Regional Interconnections In Africa
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) signed an agreement aimed at supporting African countries in their efforts to achieve the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
The agreement was signed by IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera and AUDA-NEPAD CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas on the margins of Africa Climate Week in Nairobi recently.
“Acknowledging that 80% of the global population without access to electricity resides in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is evident that the existing energy infrastructure cannot adequately meet the continent’s needs,” stated Mr. La Camera.
“The creation of a more equitable energy system – one that leverages a diverse mix of Africa’s abundant renewable resources – is dependent upon a more interconnected, flexible and reliable power grid in the region. This partnership serves as a pivotal step toward achieving that objective.”
Commenting AUDA-NEPAD CEO Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas underscored the findings of the Continental Power Systems Masterplan (CMP), designed to provide a strategic roadmap for connecting Africa’s five power pools, emphasising the critical need for immediate and proactive measures in Africa’s electricity sector.
She highlighted that, “the current business as usual trajectory falls significantly short of achieving universal electricity access by 2040, necessitating a substantial increase in investments to elevate the continent’s installed capacity from 266GW to approximately 1,218GW. To realise this ambitious target, an estimated USD 1.29 trillion in cumulative investments will be essential, potentially culminating in the establishment of a robust continental electricity market valued at USD 136 billion by 2040. It is imperative to take urgent and strategic actions to accomplish these transformative goals.”
The continued investments in cross-border transmission infrastructure and a deepening of electricity trade will allow African countries to accelerate their energy expansion and transition by sourcing electricity from a wide range of competitive, clean energy resources, by anchoring on the continent’s five power pools to create Africa’s Single Electricity Market.
Since 2021, IRENA, in partnership with other organisations, has supported AUDA-NEPAD and African stakeholders in developing the CMP through modelling activities and a series of capacity-building activities related to energy planning in the region. The CMP aims to establish a long-term, continent-wide planning process for power generation and transmission that involves all five African power pools. It maps out how to best to utilise the vast renewable energy resources across the continent, supporting national power strategies that consider cross-border interconnections as a vital component.
The next phase of CMP will include a special focus on strengthening the planning processes and accelerating the preparation of a bankable pipeline of priority projects at both the regional and country levels. This brings an opportunity for African countries to align their energy planning processes to a pan-Africa vision and accelerate the realisation of Agenda 2063.
Through this new partnership, IRENA and AUDA-NEPAD will work to enhance the capabilities of African countries and regional organisations through knowledge-based capacity building services, support implementation of the renewable energy projects in the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA PAP II) and facilitate access for project developers to IRENA’s Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform.
Ghana: VRA Cautions Residents Along Akosombo, Kpong Dams Over Planned Spillage
The Volta River Authority (VRA), managers of Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams in the Republic of Ghana has hinted that they may carry out control spillage in the coming days as a result of consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo dam.
A statement issued by the company on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, said in line with the company’s Emergency Preparedness Plan and Standard Operating Procedures, it has duly notified its key stakeholders about the development.
“The reservoir level as of today suggests that we may need to commence controlled spilling in the coming days, should the situation persist,” VRA said.
The company advised residents along the Volta River and downstream of Akosombo and Kpongs Dams to be on alert and take the necessary precautionary measures.
“VRA will continue to monitor the situation, work with our key stakeholders, and provide regular updates to endure prompt response to any emergency that may arise,” the statement concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
BP CEO Looney To Step Down
BP’s Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Looney, is poised to step down after serving in the role for over three years.
According to Financial Times, the reason for his departure was the failure to fully disclose past relationships with colleagues.
Since starting his career at BP as an engineer in 1991, he has occupied various operational and managerial positions across locations such as Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, Vietnam, and the UK North Sea.
In 2020, Bernard Looney assumed the position of CEO at BP after previously leading the company’s upstream group.
Despite his background in Upstream oil and gas, Bernard Looney has emerged as a prominent advocate within the oil industry for a transition toward low-carbon energy.
Taking office amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Looney unveiled an ambitious blueprint for BP to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, emphasizing the need for the company to “reinvent” itself.
Under Looney’s leadership, BP shocked investors by announcing plans to reduce hydrocarbon production by 40% from 2019 levels by 2030.
However, the presentation of these goals drew criticism from environmentalists who argued that BP’s decarbonization objectives were merely an inadequate attempt to greenwash its carbon-intensive operations.
Conversely, shareholders expressed disapproval of plans that would substantially curtail hydrocarbon production, contending that a more renewables-centric BP might not be as profitable.
Looney countered the skepticism of investors who claimed that BP’s aggressive investments in low-carbon fuels and renewables generated inferior returns compared to hydrocarbons in the current market.
Since unveiling these ambitious plans in 2020, the company has tempered its immediate reduction targets for oil and gas production. Nevertheless, in a recent interview with Reuters, Looney affirmed BP’s unwavering commitment to its ambitious energy transition agenda, affirming, “We’re holding our course on the transition” and highlighting the company’s intention to expand in sectors less correlated with oil prices.
According to Bloomberg, the departing CEO, Bernard Looney, will be temporarily succeeded by Chief Financial Officer Murray Auchincloss.
Source: Oilprice.com
Nigeria: Mobile Police Officers Harass Yola Staff; Order Them To Sit On The Ground For Hours
Nigerian mobile police officers numbering about 8 last Sunday stormed Yelwa Business Unit of Yola power Distribution Company in Adamawa State and vented their anger on the staff on duty.
According to energynewsafrica.com’s sources, the mobile police officers stormed the office at about 0851hrs and ordered all the staff including the cashier out of their offices and instructed them to sit on the ground in the premises for some hours.
It was not clear why the officer took that action.
However, our sources indicate that Yola disconnected power supply to the Mobile Police Barracks without notifying them.
“It was only after two of the Technical Staff Ahmed and Silas explained to them why they were disconnected before they finally left,” a source told energynewsafrica.com.
The barbaric action of the police has since been reported to the Commissioner of Police for Adamawa Command and he has ordered investigation and arrest of the police officers involved.
The Head of Corporate Communications for Yola DisCo, Gbenga Adebola who confirmed the incident told this portal that they have officially reported the issue to Mr. Afolabi Adeniyi, Adamawa State Commissioner of Police.
According to him, the Commissioner confirmed receipt of the report and ordered an investigation into the matter.
He said the officers involved were subsequently arrested and detained for further interrogation.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Energy Commission Grabs Two Awards At 4Th Africa Public Sector Conference And Awards In Kenya
Ghana’s technical regulator for electricity and natural gas, Energy Commission received two Awards at the just ended 4th Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards held alongside the Africa Climate Summit Week in Nairobi, Kenya from 4th – 8th September 2023.
The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Ing. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, received the “Visionary Leadership Award” while the Commission’s flagship programme, the Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge earned the Commission an award for “Africa Top 50 Companies in Sustainability”.
“The Commission extends its profound appreciation to its staff and stakeholders for their continuous support as it strives to fulfill its mandates,’’ a post shared on the Commission’s Facebook page said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: GRIDCo, Staff Sweep Seven Awards At WiMEA
The Ghana Grid Company and six employees of the company were last Friday honoured at the Women in Mining and Energy Awards (WiMEA) held at the Mövenpick Hotel in Accra, capital of Ghana.
GRIDCo was adjudged Best Company in Mentorship Programme and Initiatives 2023, with Ing. Mrs. Doreen Ampadu receiving Rising Star Award while Ing. Harriet Owusu Banie won the Outstanding Technical Expert (Energy) Award.
Ing. Mrs. Elikem Obou also received Digital Transformation Pioneer Award 2023, while Emily Otoo Asare (Mrs.) received Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the year 2023 award whilst, Naa Borteley Amartey (Mrs.), was also awarded for Mentor of the Year Award.
Although the awards primarily focused on recognizing women, a special “Man of the Year Award” was presented to Ing. Bernard Gyan, Director of GRIDCo’s Technical Services Department.
In his acceptance speech, Ing. Gyan expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the important contributions of women in his career.
He encouraged other men to appreciate and support the role of women in their lives.
GRIDCo received a total of seven awards out of the twenty-two presented at the event, making them the most awarded organization. AngloGold Ashanti received five awards, and the Volta River Authority (VRA) received four. Other organizations such as the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF), Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC), and PetroSol also received multiple awards.
WiMEA is an initiative of the Ministry of Energy and it serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in Ghana’s mining and energy sectors.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: Former Petroleum Minister Takes A Swipe At President Akufo-Addo Over Jubilee South East Project
A former Minister for Petroleum under the erstwhile John Mahama administration, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has taken on President Akufo-Addo for failing to add a single new oil producing field to Ghana’s three oil fields despite being in power for almost seven years.
The Ellembelle legislator who was reacting to news of President Akufo-Addo turning on valve to commemorate first oil from Jubilee South East area described the report as misleading.
The Jubilee South East (JSE) Project undertaken by Tullow, in collaboration with the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC), Kosmos Energy, Jubilee Oil Holdings Limited, and Petro SA is expected to add 30,000 barrels of oil per day to the greater Jubilee Field, bringing the total oil production at the Jubilee Field to 100,000 barrels per day by the end of this year.
“It is instructive to note that the Jubilee South East Project is not a new producing field but rather came about as a result of several discoveries made by Tullow Oil (the operator), alongside its joint venture partners between 2007 and 2012 in their West Cape Three Point block (WCTP).
“However, due to the phased development approach agreed upon between the government and the Jubilee partners, not all of these discoveries were included in the initial Phase 1 development.
Some of the discoveries were not added to the first Jubilee Field Development,” he explained.
According to him, the Jubilee South East (JSE) production well which has now been brought on stream, is part of the oil and gas reservoirs encountered by wells such as Mahogany 3, Mahogany 4 (which were drilled between 2009 and 2011), and Mahogany Deep-2.
“The partners have just drilled injectors and oil producers into key reservoirs to maintain and optimize oil production.
“The current oil production from the JSE is not occasioned by any new government discovery of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia- led government,” he pointed out.
There are additional undeveloped reserves within the Greater Jubilee Field, which the jubilee partners have been granted approval to drill.
“President Akufo-Addo had a golden opportunity to join the late President Mills and President Mahama, in adding a fourth oil-producing field if his government had not botched the Aker development,” he stated.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com