South Africa’s power utility company Eskom on Friday said it will be suspending loadshedding over the long weekend.
This is due to the sustained improved performance of generation availability as well as the anticipated lower demand over the long weekend.
It said Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented at 16:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Saturday.
Thereafter, loadshedding will be suspended over the long weekend and will resume at Stage 1 from 05:00 on Tuesday.
“During the long weekend, Eskom will address minor defects on some generating units by performing planned maintenance. Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to loadshedding should it be required,” the company said in a statement.
Breakdowns are currently at 14 364MW of generating capacity while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5 731MW.
Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Arnot and Kendal power stations was taken offline for repairs.
The anticipated return to service of a generating unit at Kendal Power Station has been delayed, further contributing to the current capacity constraints.
Eskom said their teams are working tirelessly to return these generating units to service.
Eskom’s load forecast for the evening peak demand is 27 406MW. We appeal to the members of the public to continue reducing demand by switching off non-essential appliances.
“We would like to thank those who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 17:00 to 21:00, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of loadshedding,”Eskom concluded.
Source: httsp://energynewsafrica.com
The Volta River Authority (VRA), managers of Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams has indicated that it is increasing the spilling of Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams as a result of continuous rise in the water level at the upstream of Akosombo Dam.
In a statement issued by the Corporate Affairs and External Relations Unit, to update Ghanaians on the ongoing spillage, VRA said it is collaborating with all the relevant stakeholders to educate and inform the downstream communities to minimise any potential impact.
“The Authority will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates to the general public, accordingly,” VRA said.
Source: httsp://energynewsafrica.com
A gas explosion at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua in the Republic of Ghana has led to the death of a security personnel at the hospital.
According to report, the incident occurred on Thursday evening at the Oxygen Unit of the hospital.
It is unclear what caused the oxygen cylinder to explode, but two other health workers who were in the building at the time of the explosion escaped unhurt.
The deceased who sustained head injuries was immediately rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital where he was placed on a ventilator but passed on shortly.
Meanwhile, the management of the hospital who have informed the family of the deceased about the unfortunate incident said they are cooperating with the police who have started with the investigations.
Source: httsp://energynewsafrica.com
Seplat Energy PLC, a leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, will be leading discussions around energy transition, energy security and gas development in Africa at the 2023 edition of the Africa Oil Week (AOW) at Cape Town, South Africa.
Mr. Roger Brown, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, has confirmed to deliver a Keynote Address dubbed ‘How Seplat is Driving Sustainability Through Energy Transition and Security in Nigeria’.
Mr. Brown is also billed to speak on a panel session titled ‘Monetising Africa’s Gas in the Next Seven to Ten Years’.
The event organised by Hyve Events, will be focusing on ‘Maximising Africa’s Natural Resources in the Global Energy Transition’.
The 2023 AOW, which will bring together stakeholders in the global energy industry, aims to chart the path for sustainable development, in the quest to combat climate change and build a sustainable future for the planet, the global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation.
The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in response to the challenges of climate change and resource depletion is however uneven in its adoption.
There are profound and fundamental differences between the capacity of the global north and that of the global south to effect a just energy transition that protects the economic stability and food security of its people.
The African continent which holds massive reserves of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, also has abundant renewable energy resources including solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy. The continent needs to leverage these resources to contribute to the decarbonisation of the planet at the same time as increasing energy security for itself.
In Africa, economic growth and development is inextricably connected to access to a reliable and affordable energy supply. Most of the world’s 800 million people who do not have that luxury live in the African continent. The just energy transition and provision of energy security in Africa cannot be determined by environmental objectives alone.
Energy poverty perpetuates economic poverty and the Paris Accord goals need to be balanced against Africa’s own ability to ensure energy security leads to economic prosperity.
Increased access to traditional forms of energy derived from fossil fuels will necessarily generate more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and this is naturally a concern for African countries who want to contribute to decarbonisation.
But solutions to the imperative to scale up access to safer and more sustainable energy need to be politically expedient and transparent, economically viable, to include social goals including ending energy poverty and social marginalisation and to be sustainable.
As we prepare for a lower carbon world, we must balance those imperatives with climate resilient systems on a continent that is susceptible to adverse weather conditions such as floods and droughts that threaten food security.
Benefits of the transition
The benefits for Africa of making a transition from fossil fuels to green energy sources are multiple. Although many countries in Africa mine rich fossil fuel reserves, many others rely on imported fuel.
This leaves them vulnerable to supply chain disruptions (for example due to port closures during the Covid-19 pandemic) as well as currency volatility.
Localisation of energy supply and production is an opportunity to reduce the continent’s reliance on external and unpredictable sources.
Renewable energy sources including wind and sun are not as susceptible to fluctuating weather patterns as other supplies and are relatively constant. Transitioning to these alternative energy sources ultimately makes the continent more resilient to climate change.
Renewables can also feed into independent power grids. This means that communities in remote and rural areas can more easily have access to a reliable energy source which takes the pressure off existing national infrastructure.
The development of alternative energy sources is also a driver of job creation and additional economic activity. Improved socio-economic conditions and stability can also contribute to energy security by reducing social disparities.
Energy transition not without its challenges
There are many considerations for African countries when making the transition to renewable energy. One of these includes communities’ reliance on mining extraction and exploration operations for their livelihoods. Seplat is already assisting those communities in which it is present to prepare for a time when the company is no longer there. With new technologies comes the need for new expertise and so skills training and transfer can assist when the end of fossil fuel extraction leads to job losses.
The costs of establishing infrastructure to support power generation of renewables is high.
It is essential that African governments seeking to make the transition find innovative funding models and work in public private partnerships to drive appropriate investment.
As Africa grapples with energy security and the eventual transition from fossil fuels to lower carbon alternatives, new regulatory and legislative frameworks need to be put in place to promote that investment and to create a conducive environment for energy transition.
Balancing priorities
Striking a balance between energy security, poverty reduction and economic growth when effecting the energy transition is a complex process. Each country has its own development goals and a ‘one size fits all’ solution does not apply.
Energy transition holds immense potential for Africa to contribute to global decarbonisation goals, to mitigate the impact of climate change on the continent, and to improve energy security for its people. It offers opportunities for job creation, skills transfer and economic growth and development.
Multi stakeholder collaboration between governments and the private sector will be pivotal in the supporting African nations in their move to greater self-reliance and a greener and more sustainable future. At Seplat Energy, the role of leaving a positive legacy for future generations is taken very seriously. The company is committed to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, with an emphasis on social considerations. When scaling sustainability solutions, affordability and accessibility remain reference points.
Africa Oil Week (AOW) is the premium and most established forum for stimulating deals and transactions in the African upstream. For 29 years, it has united decision-makers across the entire oil and gas value chain to facilitate new business and joint-venture and policy discussion to enable the betterment of the continent.Source: Africa Oil Week
Oil prices rebounded from $1 down to $1 up in trading on Thursday, after a Russian ban on fuel exports snapped focus away from Western economic headwinds and back to throttled crude supply to the end of 2023.
Brent futures for November delivery were up $1.02, or 1.09%, to $94.55 a barrel by 1348 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) climbed $1.27, or 1.42%, to $90.93 after falling to their lowest price since Sept. 14 earlier in the session. Both benchmarks had fallen more than $1 earlier on Thursday.
Russia temporarily banned exports of gasoline and diesel to all countries outside a circle of four ex-Soviet states with immediate effect in order to stabilise the domestic fuel market, the government said on Thursday.
The shortfall will mean that Russia’s fuel buyers will have to shop elsewhere, prompting refiners to process more of a dwindling crude supply to meet that demand, said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM.
“The Russian news came out and tension from the longer-term outlook immediately shifted back to supply,” said Vargas, referencing the U.S. Federal Reserve’s hawkish signals.
The Fed on Wednesday maintained interest rates, but stiffened its hawkish stance, projecting a quarter-percentage-point increase to 5.50-5.75% by year-end.
That may dampen economic growth and overall fuel demand, and led to the U.S. dollar surging to its highest since early March, making oil and other commodities more expensive for buyers using other currencies.
Central banks’ moves elsewhere also signalled potential pressure on oil prices. The Bank of England mirrored the Fed and held interest rates on Thursday after a long run of hikes, but said it was not taking a recent fall in inflation for granted.
Meanwhile, Norway’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate on Thursday and, in a surprise move, said it would probably hike again in December.
Earlier price falls were limited by continuous concern on tight supply globally entering the fourth quarter, with crude stocks at Cushing – the WTI delivery hub – at their lowest since July 2022 and production cuts continuing by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies.
Source: Reuters
Nigeria’s new Minister for Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has promised to increase the West African nation’s power generation capacity to, at least, 20,000 megawatts (MW) from about 12,522MW, within the next three years.
To realise this vision, Adelabu said he would implement the 2023 Electricity Act which set out initiatives for the power and also prioritised universal metering to close over eight million metering gaps.
Addressing a gathering of power sector players, academia, policymakers and the business community on Day 1 at Nigeria Energy 2023 in Lagos, on Tuesday, he said he would use the limited time in the Power Ministry to make a lasting impact in the sector before leaving.
“In an attempt to set targets for the power sector, we also need to set short-term targets and ensure that between now and the next three years, we can diagnose the issues to a large extent and make a significant impact.
“I found out that the solutions in the power sector are not as difficult as we all believe. I will hasten the pace of fact-gathering and leverage the views and experience of stakeholders to understand the sector and build workable solutions that will transform the power sector in Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that energy is the lifeblood of any modern economy, and Nigeria is no exception.
He stated that no meaningful economic growth or industrial development can be achieved without power.
“Sustainable Energy is fundamental to fueling our industries, power our homes, drives economic growth and it is the cornerstone upon which the progress and prosperity of nations are built.
“Nigeria, with its abundant natural resources, growing population and expanding economy, stands on a pivotal stage in its energy journey because the demand for accessible, reliable and sustainable energy has never been greater than we have now,” he said.
The Power Minister promised to balance energy developments that drives socio-economic transformation, adding that the Power Ministry is focused on ensuring that energy development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
“We are committed to identifying the challenges and seeing the inert opportunities in the energy sector in Nigeria. We seek collaborations to implement concrete action plans that will lead us toward a brighter and more sustainable energy future.
“I am confident that the narrative in the power sector, which is confronted with several challenges, will change shortly.
“Nigeria’s power sector was privatised a decade ago to establish the competitive markets intended to improve management and efficiency, attract private investments, increase generation, and provide a reliable and cost-efficient power supply to Nigeria. Although some progress has been made across the power sector value chain, there is still a huge gap, especially in the delivery of adequate and stable power supply to consumers nationwide.
“The truth of the matter is all these programs that we say we are best at, they remain, an effort is an energy that is reliable and affordable, but cannot reach the end consumers and households, small businesses, institutions, and industries.”
The Minister reiterated the need for Nigeria to invest in technology to address the over eight-million-metering gap and ensure accurate billing for electricity consumption.
He said, ” We need to come up with technology to ensure that power connections are monitored, and DisCos can improve their collection to 90 per cent of distributed power monthly.
“We need to ramp up our investments in collection technology to close the metering gap as much as possible.
“All households, companies, government institutions, and industries in Nigeria must be properly metered so that everybody accounts for the power they consume and then pays for the utilization,” he told the gathering.
Adelabu said the recently passed Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023, would play a fundamental role in transforming the power sector by unlocking the potential of the energy mix and promoting the integration of renewable energy technologies into the existing grid system.
According to him, the new Act aims to create an environment that supports sustainable growth and investment in the power industry by focusing on accelerated private investment and the promotion of renewable energy sources.
He said, “These challenges also lie in incredible opportunities such as annexing power from renewable energy sources for example, solar, hydro, wind, etc. which will not only reduce our carbon footprints in terms of the nation but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
“As a game changer that reformed the NESI, the Electricity Act will undoubtedly engender increased access to electricity and regulatory oversight, clean energy transition, improved service delivery, and infrastructural developments.
“In particular, the act will stimulate economic growth by creating a conducive environment for investment and competition. It will generate job opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship, and attract foreign direct investments,” Adelabu said.
The Minister for Power called on players in the power sector to intensify their efforts towards improving communication with the general public, emphasizing that the Nigerian masses have a lot of roles to play in safeguarding power infrastructure.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Power distribution companies (Discos) in the Federal Republic of Nigeria have been ordered by the regulator, NERC, to reimburse customers who paid for the acquisition of meters under the meter assets provider (MAP) framework.
The order for the reimbursement was contained in a document issued in March 2023 and sighted by energynewsafrica.com.
Per the document, the Discos were to commence disbursement to their customers effective April 1, 2023.
NERC said the 2021 MAP and national mass metering regulations provide for the reimbursement of the cost of meters procured by customers under the MAP framework.
“Section 8 (f) of the Regulations provides that distribution licensees are obligated to reimburse customers who pay for meters under the MAP framework through equal installments of energy credits, at the time of vending, with the cost of the meter amortised over a maximum period of 36 months,” the document says.
“Section 24 (1) (b) of the regulations provides that where a customer elects to make upfront payments for meters under these regulations, the cost of the meter shall be refunded through energy credits by the distribution licensee.
“The reimbursement schedule shall be as approved by the commission, having regard to an evaluation of the financial standing of the distribution licensee.
“This provision also applies to upfront payments made by customers upon commencement of the MAP framework in 2018.”
According to NERC, it evaluated the financial standing of the DisCos, which led to a review of the 36-month reimbursement period that was in place.
The regulator said the order also mandates that all meters installed under the MAP framework should be included in the regulatory asset base (RAB) of the DisCos by the commission at the next major or extraordinary tariff review.
NERC stated that the cost of a prepaid meter paid by a customer under MAP shall be amortised over 120 equal instalments and reimbursed through energy credits computed based on the prevailing tariff at the time of vending.
“Where a customer does not vend in a given month or months, the DisCo shall, at the point of the next vending, refund the accumulated energy credits due to the customer for the period not ended,” the document further reads.
“Where a post-paid customer purchases a meter, reimbursement by the DisCo shall be in the form of a rebate on the customers’ monthly invoice to reflect the fixed monthly reimbursement computed on the cost of the meter spread over 120 months.
“All DisCos shall ensure that the refund of the cost of a MAP meter appears as a distinct line item on the vending receipt of prepaid customers and monthly bill of the post-paid customers. The line item should indicate the energy cost, the corresponding energy value being refunded and the outstanding balance of the cost of the meter.
“All DisCos shall file monthly reports with the Commission containing a breakdown of the total monetary value of refund to customers through energy credit by the Commission’s prescribed template.”
In 2018, the NERC introduced the MAP regulation to new investors in the power sector to fast-track the rollout of meters through the engagement of third-party investors and end the estimated billing regime.
Also in 2019, the commission issued permits to asset providers to begin the rollout of new prepaid meters by May 1, approving 26 contractors under the programme as of December 31 of that year.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The General Manager of Corporate Affairs at the West African Pipeline Company (WAPCo), Dr Isaac Adjei Doku, has assured its customers that the company will not do anything deliberately to jeopardise any of the countries it transports gas to.
Dr. Doku gave the assurance during a training programme for some selected journalists in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The programme sought to educate the Ghanaian media on the role WAPCo plays in the power sector of four West African nations namely; Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
WAPCo is a midstream gas transportation company with over 670 kilometres of pipeline infrastructure from Nigeria through Benin, Togo and Ghana.
There have been times when the media have erroneously described WAPCo as a gas processing company instead of a gas transportation company and Dr Doku used the training programme to clarify the role of WAPCo.
He said in Ghana, WAPCo has signed a contract with Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and transports gas on their behalf to power generation companies in the Western and Eastern enclave.
Dr Isaac Doku in a group picture with some journalists who attended the training programme at the company’s head office in Accra.
WAPCo transports natural gas to customers in Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
It operates the Takoradi Regulating and Metering Station in the western enclave and the Tema Regulating and Metering Station in the eastern enclave.
In 2019, WAPCo began reverse flow transportation of gas from the Western Region to Tema, following the successful completion of the Takoradi phase of the Takoradi to Tema Interconnection Project.
According to Dr Doku, WAPCo transports about 47 per cent of gas used in power generation in Ghana.
He told the media that the company transports more gas for Ghana than it does for Togo and Benin.
Recently, WAPCo suspended gas transportation in Ghana over US$13 million in debt.
The company resumed gas transportation after GNPC and ECG paid US$6 million.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana National Gas Company has dismissed media reports suggesting that some of its board members had been engaging in deals which had become a source of worry to some staff.
The Herald Newspaper in the Republic of Ghana claimed in a report on Monday, September 18, 2023, that there were reports about procurement deals among other challenges with claims that a future government would have to thoroughly investigate.
However, reacting to the report, Ghana Gas, in a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu described the report as completely false, malicious and unfounded.
“Indeed, there is no scintilla of evidence to back the Herald story,” he said.
He stated that the reportage passed for irresponsible media aggression and certainly not journalism.
“There has never been any rot associated with our operations here at Ghana Gas, and we find it very unusual for a journalistic outlet to throw away the cardinal journalistic standard of fairness and the responsibility, to tell the truth as it engages in news reporting.
“We demand a retraction of the story and a formal apology to repair the damage caused to our organisation.
“Ghana Gas remains committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all our operations,” he concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Mexico’s state-held oil giant Pemex has resumed trade with Vitol Group three years after the world’s largest oil trading firm admitted to bribing officials and two years after Mexico banned the trader from business dealings with Pemex, anonymous sources familiar with the new deals have told Reuters.
Vitol has been accused of corruption by U.S. and Mexican authorities. The company has agreed to settle bribery allegations for the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil, and has agreed to pay $164 million in fines and disgorgement by the DOJ and CFTC for oil bribes in Brazil, Mexico, and Ecuador.
In August 2021, the Mexican government banned Vitol and Trafigura from doing business with the state-owned oil and gas major on allegations of corruption.
“Those who are carrying out corruption shouldn’t be in Mexico,” Mexico’s Energy Minister Rocio Nahle told Bloomberg at the time.
Now, according to Reuters’ sources, two tankers carrying fuel from Vitol docked at Mexican ports last week and have already discharged the cargo.
Lawsuits and legal disputes in the United States over the alleged bribes from Vitol are ongoing.
The U.S. charged in August a former trader at Vitol for violating anti-bribery and anti-money laundering regulations for offering bribes to Mexican officials to obtain business for Vitol.
Javier Aguilar, 49, from Texas, made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Houston in late August, the United State Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas said.
The five-count indictment says that Aguilar allegedly conspired to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and allegedly violated the FCPA, the Travel Act, and the money laundering statutes in connection with a scheme involving Mexican government officials.
The charges allege that between August 2017 and July 2020, Aguilar and others knowingly, willfully, and corruptly offered and paid bribes to and for the benefit of Mexican officials.
Aguilar allegedly intended to obtain and retain business for Vitol related to Mexico’s state oil firm Pemex and PPI, a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of Pemex with its principal place of business in Houston.
Source: Oilprice.com
Oil prices rose for yet another day early on Tuesday, with Brent hitting $95 per barrel, as Azerbaijan said it had launched “anti-terrorist” operations in the Nagorno-Karabakh region with mostly Armenian population.
The Azerbaijan-Armenia tensions have been rising in recent months after Azerbaijan imposed a blockade on the ethnic Armenian region also known as Artsakh by Armenians but internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
Last week, for the first time in three months, Nagorno-Karabakh received aid via Azerbaijan’s Aghdam route, while Azerbaijan continues to block the Lachin corridor connecting the region to Armenia.
Today, Azerbaijan’s defense ministry said that “local anti-terrorist activities have been launched” “to disarm and secure the withdrawal of formations of Armenia’s armed forces from our territories, neutralize their military infrastructure.”
Azerbaijan said Armenia’s armed forces targeted a vehicle with a land mine, killing two civilians.
Armenia, for its part, accused Azerbaijan of spreading false information in claiming that there are Armenian military, equipment and personnel in Nagorno-Karabakh.
As of 2 p.m. local time on Tuesday, “the situation on the borders of the Republic of Armenia is relatively stable,” Armenia’s ministry of defense said.
Azerbaijan is an oil and gas producer and exporter and is part of the OPEC+ alliance of producers as a non-OPEC participant in the group currently withholding oil supply to the market.
While tensions in the restive Azerbaijan-Armenia region rise, oil prices were also up on Tuesday morning ET, with Brent topping $95 per barrel and WTI crude up by 1.3% at $92.50.
“A 15% rally in the space of around three weeks to trade at levels not seen since last November and not far from triple figures, it’s been an impressive move and there could be more to come,” Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA, wrote in a note on Monday.
“This oil rally has been relentless and I’m not seeing any signs of exhaustion yet,” Erlam added.
Source: Oilprice.com
Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has called on developed nations to support the effort of developing countries to meet their net-zero targets by redeeming the funding pledges made some time ago towards the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
“Developing nations are facing the challenge of achieving the SD7 target of providing clean and affordable energy by 2030, due to the intense financial commitment required,” the Minister said while addressing a high-level SDG Summit Action on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, on Sunday, 17th September 2023.
Most developing countries, he said, heavily rely on wood fuel to meet their energy need and argued that in the face of the global Energy Transition, this type of fuel, if not controlled, would erode the little gains chalked these few years in the quest to combat climate change.
According to him, energy is the heartbeat of every economy, therefore, Africa must have enough of it to support its socioeconomic development to enhance the welfare of the citizenry.
“Our right to develop our energy resources for the benefit of our people must, therefore, be respected and with no interference,” he said.
“We recognise that the electricity, cooking and transportation sectors are key areas in reducing greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions. Consequently, steps must be taken to transition these sectors towards a net-zero emissions future,” he added.
He continued: “To attain this, we must transition to the production and utilisation of clean energy and the implementation of measures to mitigate any emissions that occur in the process.
“This will ensure that we contribute our quota to the reduction of global GHG emissions and more importantly, achieve decarbonisation, energy access, security, and efficiency.”
The Ministry of Energy, the Minister said, is also aggressively promoting clean cooking with a focus on achieving 50 per cent access to the use of LPG as fuel and delivering three million improved efficient charcoal stoves by 2030.
“We have rolled out several programmes, notably, the LPG for Development, Cylinder Recirculation Model and Carbon-for-Free Stoves programme for the biomass sector,” he remarked.
He used the opportunity to reiterate Ghana’s commitment to partnering with investors to explore new energy frontiers to support sustainable, environmentally sound and gender-responsive economic growth.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Deputy Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mrs. Linda Asante, was last week, honoured as the recipient of this year’s Leadership Excellence Award.
She received the award at the third edition of the Women In Mining and Energy Award (WIMEA), held in Accra on Friday.
At the same event, the NPA was adjudged winner of the Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Award in the energy sector.
This was in recognition of the Authority’s unrivalled commitment to rolling out various corporate social responsibility interventions including integrating social and environmental concerns in its operations for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Mrs Asante was honoured for her exemplary leadership and hard work in the petroleum downstream industry spanning over two decades, and for becoming the first staff to be promoted to this top executive position in the Authority since its establishment in 2005.
The WIMEA Award is an initiative of Ianmatsun Global Services Ltd. conceptualised to identify and recognise the contribution and value addition of women to Ghana’s Mining and Energy Sectors.
It also aims to celebrate the achievements of women who have made significant contributions to these sectors.
The 2023 edition of the Awards was held on the theme: ‘Empowering Women in Mining and Energy: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges’.
In a brief acceptance remark, Mrs. Asante thanked the organisers for the honour conferred on her.
She dedicated the award to the Board, management and staff of the NPA, particularly the Chief Executive, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, for their unalloyed support and cooperation.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s strategic fuel stock keeping company, BOST, received three awards at the 2023 Africa Public Sector Conference & Awards (APSCA) held recently in Nairobi, Kenya.
The company was adjudged the ‘Most Transformed Public Sector Agency of the Year’ and ‘Public Sector Team of the Year- Silver’.
Interestingly, Mr Edwin Nii Obodai Provencal, the Managing Director of BOST, was also adjudged ‘Public Sector CEO of the Year’.
The Managing Director, together with Mr Ekow Hackman, the Board Chairman of BOST, was personally present at the ceremony to receive the awards.
Also present were Maame Pokua Appiah, Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, Mrs Harriet Amoah, General Counsel and Head of Legal Services, Ato Amissah Wilson, General Manager of Corporate Planning and Mr Kwabena Appiah, Head of IT.
These awards were recognitions of the performance of the company and its Managing Director during the year 2022.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The African continent which holds massive reserves of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, also has abundant renewable energy resources including solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy. The continent needs to leverage these resources to contribute to the decarbonisation of the planet at the same time as increasing energy security for itself.
In Africa, economic growth and development is inextricably connected to access to a reliable and affordable energy supply. Most of the world’s 800 million people who do not have that luxury live in the African continent. The just energy transition and provision of energy security in Africa cannot be determined by environmental objectives alone.
Energy poverty perpetuates economic poverty and the Paris Accord goals need to be balanced against Africa’s own ability to ensure energy security leads to economic prosperity.
Increased access to traditional forms of energy derived from fossil fuels will necessarily generate more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and this is naturally a concern for African countries who want to contribute to decarbonisation.
But solutions to the imperative to scale up access to safer and more sustainable energy need to be politically expedient and transparent, economically viable, to include social goals including ending energy poverty and social marginalisation and to be sustainable.
As we prepare for a lower carbon world, we must balance those imperatives with climate resilient systems on a continent that is susceptible to adverse weather conditions such as floods and droughts that threaten food security.
Benefits of the transition
The benefits for Africa of making a transition from fossil fuels to green energy sources are multiple. Although many countries in Africa mine rich fossil fuel reserves, many others rely on imported fuel.
This leaves them vulnerable to supply chain disruptions (for example due to port closures during the Covid-19 pandemic) as well as currency volatility.
Localisation of energy supply and production is an opportunity to reduce the continent’s reliance on external and unpredictable sources.
Renewable energy sources including wind and sun are not as susceptible to fluctuating weather patterns as other supplies and are relatively constant. Transitioning to these alternative energy sources ultimately makes the continent more resilient to climate change.
Renewables can also feed into independent power grids. This means that communities in remote and rural areas can more easily have access to a reliable energy source which takes the pressure off existing national infrastructure.
The development of alternative energy sources is also a driver of job creation and additional economic activity. Improved socio-economic conditions and stability can also contribute to energy security by reducing social disparities.
Energy transition not without its challenges
There are many considerations for African countries when making the transition to renewable energy. One of these includes communities’ reliance on mining extraction and exploration operations for their livelihoods. Seplat is already assisting those communities in which it is present to prepare for a time when the company is no longer there. With new technologies comes the need for new expertise and so skills training and transfer can assist when the end of fossil fuel extraction leads to job losses.
The costs of establishing infrastructure to support power generation of renewables is high.
It is essential that African governments seeking to make the transition find innovative funding models and work in public private partnerships to drive appropriate investment.
As Africa grapples with energy security and the eventual transition from fossil fuels to lower carbon alternatives, new regulatory and legislative frameworks need to be put in place to promote that investment and to create a conducive environment for energy transition.
Balancing priorities
Striking a balance between energy security, poverty reduction and economic growth when effecting the energy transition is a complex process. Each country has its own development goals and a ‘one size fits all’ solution does not apply.
Energy transition holds immense potential for Africa to contribute to global decarbonisation goals, to mitigate the impact of climate change on the continent, and to improve energy security for its people. It offers opportunities for job creation, skills transfer and economic growth and development.
Multi stakeholder collaboration between governments and the private sector will be pivotal in the supporting African nations in their move to greater self-reliance and a greener and more sustainable future. At Seplat Energy, the role of leaving a positive legacy for future generations is taken very seriously. The company is committed to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, with an emphasis on social considerations. When scaling sustainability solutions, affordability and accessibility remain reference points.
Africa Oil Week (AOW) is the premium and most established forum for stimulating deals and transactions in the African upstream.
For 29 years, it has united decision-makers across the entire oil and gas value chain to facilitate new business and joint-venture and policy discussion to enable the betterment of the continent.
Source: Africa Oil Week 
