Senegal’s Sandiara Gas-To-Power Plant To Begin Construction In 2024
Spanish construction company TSK, which provides sustainable solutions and services to the industrial and energy sectors, has partnered with LFR Energy – a subsidiary of Senegalese holding company LFR which invests in energy, hotel, and real estate projects – for the construction of the Sandiara Power Plant, a gas-to-power facility located in Senegal’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Construction is slated to begin in 2024.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Energy Capital & Power (ECP), LFR CEO Pierre Diouf stated that “the consortium has ambitions to build the largest gas-to-power plant in Senegal with the objective to develop Sandiara as a regional energy hub through the exploitation of the country’s gas and oil resources.”
The power plant comprises a combined cycle power station (CCG) that uses Siemens Energy SGT-800 gas turbines to meet industrial power generation demands.
With a capacity of 360 MW and utilizing natural gas resources, the project is estimated to have an annual production capacity of 2,900 GWh.
CCG plants are well-known for their dependability as well as ability to run on a variety of fossil fuels, making them an appealing alternative for fulfilling the rising need for power production capacity.
In the case of a gas supply outage, the power plant will be able to function on light crude oil as an alternate fuel source.
“TSK has expertise creating CCG power plants, which offer sophisticated technological design and highly efficient power producing capabilities,” Diouf stated, adding that the plant has the potential to integrate resources, “…perhaps with solar energy as well, since we intend to build photovoltaic panels near the plant.”
Still, the power plant will mostly run on domestic gas obtained from Senegal’s western hydrocarbon reserves, most likely the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) and Yakaar Teranga gas basins. “Gas from GTA will be mostly used for export,” Malick Guaye, First Deputy of the Municipality of Sandiara, who is in charge of the energy projects in the SEZ, told ECP. “Sangomar has gas, but it is mostly an oil field, and first gas from Yakaar-Teranga will be exclusively for domestic use, making it the most appropriate field for the project.” The gas will be transferred to the power plant via a pipeline connecting Sandiara and the Malicounda power station, which is currently under construction.
LFR plans to begin construction of the facility in the first quarter of 2024, with the goal of having it operational by 2026. The project will be funded by loans, mostly from the Emirati investment fund Al Furqan Credit, with the remaining half (around 15 to 20%), financed by shareholder equity. The project will be structured in accordance with Senegalese law governing public-private partnerships while the produced electricity, a portion of which will be dedicated to SEZ demands, will be provided by the state utility SENELEC under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
Surplus electricity will be exported to West African neighboring nations, with Diouf stating that “Niger has already expressed interest in our project and Mali has initiated a similar project in Sandiara to power mining plants near the Senegalese border. The municipality suggested they partner with us to build the pipeline infrastructure.”
Guaye added that, “Currently, many West African countries have a power deficit, and it is cheaper for them to buy electricity directly from us instead of transporting natural gas.”
“But the main focus of the project remains Senegal,” concluded Diouf. The project itself provides several benefits to the country, including reducing Senegal’s electricity deficit, creating direct and indirect job opportunities, promoting industrial development for both large and small- to medium enterprises, and transferring technology and competencies to the local workforce.
Overall, the project aims to combat power outages, lower electricity costs, stimulate economic growth, and enhance regional cooperation, a key goal at the heart of the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2023 exhibition and conference.
The event will take place in Nouakchott from November 21–22 and is expected to unite a strong slate of regional and global energy players, brightening the future of the region through the signing of deals and forging of partnerships.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
UK Launches SMR Selection Competition
The UK’s Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps on Tuesday launched Great Britain Nuclear, saying the aim of the arms-length body was to “drive the rapid expansion of new nuclear power plants in the UK at an unprecedented scale and pace”.
When the Powering up Britain policy paper was unveiled in March, it said that the SMR competition would be the top priority for the newly created GBN, with “an ambition to assess and decide on the leading technologies by autumn”.
The detailed timeline published on Tuesday says the first stage of market intelligence gathering, concluded in June 2023, with the “technology initial down-selection, launched in July, concluding in autumn 2023”.
It adds that “the next phase to launch as quickly as possible after that … successful technologies will be supported to be ready to enable a Final Investment Decision by 2029”.
Shapps, speaking to reporters at the launch, said the aim was to have the first SMRs up and running “in the early 2030s”. Although there is no immediate funding commitment announced as part of the competition launch, he said that the contract document suggested the total could eventually reach GBP20 billion (USD26 billion).
GBN’s over-arching role is to help the UK to move towards the UK government’s goal to provide a quarter of the UK’s electricity from nuclear energy by 2050 – a task which includes the need to “consider the potential role of further large gigawatt-scale nuclear power plants” in addition to the current Hinkley Point C and proposed Sizewell C projects.
Shapps said: “Britain has a rich history as a pioneer of nuclear power, having launched the era of civil nuclear power – and I’m proud to be turbocharging its revival and placing our country once again at the forefront of global innovation.” He said lessons had been learned “from the past developer-led approach”, and government backing with GBN was going to create “long-term market certainty” and oversee the process from development to deployment.
Andrew Bowie, Minister for Nuclear, said: “I look forward to seeing the world-class designs submitted from all around the world through the competitive selection process, as the UK takes its place front and centre in the global race to unleash a new generation of nuclear technology.”
Interim chairman of GBN, Simon Bowen, said: “Building on the work done at Hinkley Point and Sizewell, today’s announcement of the start of the SMR selection process signifies a real step forward in delivering the scale of nuclear power that Britain needs for a secure, sustainable energy future. We look forward to working with all interested parties – technology vendors, the supply chain, the wider industry and local communities as we move this essential programme forward.”
In an interview ahead of the launch, for the Financial Times, Shapps said the UK engineering group Rolls-Royce SMR was “obviously in a good position”, having already received GBP210 million (USD275 million) of government grants for its project. At the launch he said that he expected between two and four different technologies to be selected and said by the autumn he wanted a shortlist of “finalists to go through to the final design stage”.
Asked about the process of selecting sites, he said there was no shortage of options at the moment, with existing and former nuclear locations keen to become home to SMRs.
Tom Greatrex, CEO of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “Focus on the SMR selection will demonstrate the commitment to deployment of innovative technologies and open up new opportunities for the UK industrial supply chain here and abroad. There are a range of sites and communities across the country ready to host SMR technology, alongside the large scale nuclear capacity we will also need.”
There are many different small modular reactors in development around the world. The UK’s best known offering so far is Rolls-Royce SMR, a 470 MWe design based on a small pressurised water reactor which has progressed to the second stage of the UK’s Generic Design Assessment, the only SMR to reach that stage so far. The company has also identified its preferred sites. But others, with prospective orders from other countries, are set to enter the competition.
Among them is GE Hitachi, whose CEO Jay Wileman said they “hope and expect” the UK’s nuclear ambitions “will be delivered by multiple SMR operators and we look forward to playing our part in delivering a substantial share of this capacity … we have assembled a first-class team to deliver the BWRX-300 in the UK and today’s news will help accelerate its deployment while we continue to develop a robust UK supply chain”.
Also announced were a series of grants, totalling GBP157 million (USD205 million) including GBP77.1 million “to accelerate advanced nuclear business development in the UK and support advanced nuclear designs to enter UK regulation, maximising the chance of small and advanced modular reactors being built during the next Parliament”.(The next Parliament is expected to run from 2024 to 2029).
There is also GBP58 million for further development and design of advanced modular reactor and next generation fuel – GBP22.5 million for Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation UK “to further develop the design of a high temperature micro modular reactor”, GBP15 million to the National Nuclear Laboratory in Warrington “to accelerate the design of a high temperature reactor following its success in Japan” and up to GBP16 million to the National Nuclear Laboratory in Preston “to continue to develop sovereign coated particle fuel capability, a type of robust advanced fuel which is suitable for high temperature reactors”.
There are also awards under the GBP22.3 million Nuclear Fuel Fund:
- GBP10.5 million to Westinghouse Springfields “to manufacture more innovative types of nuclear fuel for customers both in the UK and overseas”
- GBP9.5 million to Urenco UK in Capenhurst, Chester “to enrich uranium to higher levels, including LEU+ and high-assay low-enriched uranium
- GBP1 million to Nuclear Transport Solutions, part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, “to develop transport solutions to facilitate a supply chain for highly enriched uranium in the UK and internationally”
- GBP1.2 million to MoltexFLEX “to build and operate rigs for the development of molten salt fuel”
Niger Sets To Welcome Participants To ERERA’s Regulatory Forum
The eighth Regional Electricity Regulatory Forum of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) will take place from July 19 to 20, 2023 in Niamey, Niger, with “Building Competitive Electricity Markets: Regulatory Imperatives in the Current Global Context” as its theme.
This edition of the forum is significant as it is Niger’s first hosting of ERERA’s forum, which coincides with the institution’s 15 years of development of the regional electricity market.
The flagship event which will be held under the auspices of the Prime Minister of Niger, Mr. Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, is a platform for discussions among regulators and all stakeholders in the electricity sector in West Africa on current issues concerning energy security and the electricity market in West Africa.
The forum will feature presentations on the journey through the construction of the West African electricity market, taking into account the evolution of ERERA and the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
In this regard, the role and expectations of key stakeholders and actors in the development of the Regional Electricity Market will be considered.
Presentations will also focus best practices on policies and reforms for opening electricity markets to competition; the role of the regulator in attracting investment in energy infrastructure regulation and financial viability of the electricity market, including challenges faced by regulators in implementing reforms for the viability and attractiveness of power markets.
The forum will also hold discussions on the mandate, power and independence of the regulator in the context of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market.
Participants will be expected to generate fresh ideas, innovations, and strategies to address the challenges of energy security for West Africa as the forum will also contribute to capacity building of market players and operators of the electricity industry in ECOWAS Member States.
The eighth forum is also expected to provide an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of ECOWAS to good governance and strengthen the role of ERERA as an institution for the harmonization of regulations, policies and practices of the electricity sector.
Generally, ERERA forums bring together representatives of the Ministries in charge of Energy and Finance, national regulatory authorities, utility companies, parliamentarians, academics, researchers, consumer groups, civil society organizations, banks, regional and international development partners, to share ideas and discuss issues related to chosen themes for the forums and the development of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Niger: ECOWAS Experts To Meet In Niamey On Regional Power Market Documents
ERERA’s Consultative Committees of Regulators and Operators – two main organs that assist the institution’s Regulatory Council in its decision-making – will hold their joint 21st session on July 17 and 18 2023 in Niamey, Niger to discuss issues related to the status of essential documents for the ECOWAS regional power market.
The documents include the Tariff Methodology and Regional Transmission Pricing Model Procedures as well as the development of Market Surveillance Rules.
The transmission tariff methodology for the West African Power Pool (WAPP) will be used by the Regional System and Market Operator (SMO) to develop a clear, transparent and predictable model for the calculation of transmission prices.
In addition, it will help define rules that will govern transmission pricing between parties involved in cross-border exchange transactions in the regional electricity market.
For its part, the Market Surveillance Rules have been developed by ERERA to provide transparent procedures and processes to monitor the regional electricity market, in accordance with its powers to prevent abuse and distortions as well as sanction defaulters.
They will also specify the roles to be played by the various stakeholders in the region to facilitate effective monitoring of the market.
The Consultative Committees which comprise experts drawn from the national regulatory authorities and operators from ECOWAS Member States will be briefed on the development of the rules for determining regional market fees and levies.
These experts will also receive updates on the activities planned to enhance synergy with sub-regional energy organizations.
They include The Gambia River Basin Development Organization (OMVG) with four countries States – The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Senegal; the Communauté Electrique du Bénin (CEB), composed of Benin and Togo; Transco CLSG, involving Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea; and the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS).
The sub-regional energy organizations, which will be affected by the market rules, will be integrated in the approval process of the WAPP Grid Code.
Members of the joint Consultative Committees will further be briefed on ERERA’s gender mainstreaming activities, including ERERA’s collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre and development of guidelines for gender mainstreaming for electricity regulators in Member States.
Ghana: PETROSOL Pays Over GHS240M As Petroleum Taxes And Levies In 2022
PETROSOL Ghana Ltd, a leading privately-owned Ghanaian Oil Marketing Company (OMC), has paid a total of two hundred and forty-one million, four hundred and ninety-two thousand, one hundred and seventy-five Ghana Cedis (GHS241,492,175) to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Ltd as petroleum taxes, levies and regulatory margins in 2022.
Ms. Lawrencia Himans, the Head of Finance & Planning of PETROSOL, in making this disclosure, indicated that though the current economic challenges are adversely affecting the company’s operations, the leadership of the company has committed itself to maintaining the company’s ethical business practices by ensuring that it dutifully meets its tax and regulatory margins payment obligations to the state.
In this regard, Ms. Himans disclosed that though the first half of 2023 continued to be very challenging due to the country’s economic challenges, PETROSOL has maintained its tax compliance record as it had successfully paid all its petroleum taxes, levies and regulatory margins obligations to the state agencies totalling over one hundred and seventy million Ghana Cedis (GHS170,000,000).
Mr. Michael Bozumbil, the Chief Executive Officer of PETROSOL, also indicated that besides PETROSOL’s tax compliance, it also continues to operate in compliance with the regulations of the NPA in terms of its fuel stations infrastructure standards and health and safety requirements; as well as meeting the standards of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) as it continues to deliver quality fuel in full quantity to its consumers through its licensed fuel stations across the country.
He also said the company’s lubricants are of very high quality suitable for both new and old vehicles and equipment.
Mr. Bozumbil expressed his appreciation to the company’s customers for their loyalty to the brand over the years.
He said a nationwide brand-health survey conducted early this year for the company by a reputable research firm has shown growth in customer loyalty to the brand.
He said he and his team would not rest on their oars but would continue to improve upon their operations to meet the needs of their customers.
He also expressed his appreciation to the hardworking and dedicated dealers and the staff of PETROSOL and urged them to continue to work diligently and ethically, notwithstanding the economic challenges.
Again, he expressed his gratefulness to the regulatory agencies, especially the National Petroleum Authority, for their support and cooperation.
Mr. Bozumbil urged all state agencies to identify Ghanaian companies such as PETROSOL, that strive to operate by the rules, notwithstanding the challenges, and provide them with the needed support to grow and do more for the state.
PETROSOL has over the years demonstrated remarkable tax and regulatory compliance.
The company’s tax compliance was acknowledged last year by the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, when he congratulated PETROSOL for its tax compliance.
Besides meeting the requirements of the regulatory agencies in Ghana, PETROSOL has also stepped up its compliance level higher by receiving triple international certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for Quality Management; Occupational Health and Safety Management; and Environmental Management.
With 120 fuel stations spread across the country, PETROSOL is currently ranked among the top-10 Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) by the NPA and has won numerous awards for its commitment to best industry practices.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.comIvory Coast: Petrofac Wins Facilities Management Contract For FPSO
Petrofac, an international energy services company has been awarded a facilities management contract by CNR International (CNRI) offshore the Ivory Coast, West Africa.
The initial three-year, multi-million-dollar contract will see Petrofac’s Asset Solutions business providing integrated services for the Espoir Ivoirien Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
Around 110 personnel currently supporting the FPSO, including those onshore and on the vessel, will transition to Petrofac from BW Offshore following the recent sale of the vessel to CNRI.
The transition of people and operatorship is expected to complete before the end of July.
The contract will be managed from Petrofac’s technical hub in Aberdeen, using decades of experience in the mature and highly regulated UKCS market.
Nick Shorten, Chief Operating Officer for Petrofac’s Asset Solutions business, said, “We bring our considerable global FPSO experience to the Ivory Coast, adding to our portfolio of service contracts in Africa. Petrofac is expanding across the continent, providing local jobs, developing local skills and collaborating with local partners.
This latest award builds on contract successes achieved throughout 2022, including decommissioning in Mauritania for Tullow Oil, operations and maintenance for Tullow Oil in Ghana and the provision of offshore operations services for bp’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Project, including an FPSO, in Mauritania and Senegal.
Turkey Raises Fuel Tax By 200% As Budget Deficit Soars
Turkey has raised its special consumption tax on fuels by 200%, which resulted in 21% more expensive gasoline and diesel at the pump, as Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks to raise budget revenues after massive spending for rebuilding from the February earthquake and for the May presidential elections that saw the Turkish President securing another five years in office.
Turkey’s public finances have deteriorated as the country has had to pay much higher prices for energy imports and has earmarked funding for rebuilding the areas hit by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria in early February.
Erdogan also splurged on spending ahead of the presidential election in May.
Overall, the rebuilding from the earthquake is estimated to cost Turkey around $100 billion.
The country, however, has been struggling with finances in recent years and has seen double-digit inflation rates, and even 85% inflation at the end of last year.
Turkey has tried to prevent its currency from collapsing and has spent a lot of its foreign currency reserves to do that.
The fuel consumption tax, which was tripled this weekend, is the latest move to collect revenues for an increased budget.
This tax, together with the value added tax, will see gasoline and diesel prices for consumers surge by 21%, which would further stoke inflation.
In June, Turkey’s inflation rate was at 38.21% compared to June 2022, slightly lower than expected, but the collapse of the Turkish lira continues to be a concern for government finances.
Despite the soaring inflation, Turkey’s Erdogan insisted until recently to keep interest rates as low as possible, running in the May elections on a platform of low interest rates.
Days after he was re-elected, Erdogan replaced the central bank governor with an economist with U.S. finance background.
In June, the central bank raised the key interest rate from 8.5% to 15%, as it decided “to begin the monetary tightening process in order to establish the disinflation course as soon as possible, to anchor inflation expectations, and to control the deterioration in pricing behavior.”
Source: Oilprice.com
Ghana: Jubilee Field Production Surpasses Over 100,000 Bopd
Oil production at the Jubilee Field offshore Republic of Ghana has surpassed 100,000 barrels per day, the lead operator of the field, Tullow Oil Plc, has said.
The field dwindled in gross production to about 74,300 barrels per day in 2021.
However, to revive the field and spur production, Tullow introduced what it described as Value Maximum Plan (VMP) and invested heavily in infrastructure and the development of new wells.
Last week, Tullow announced the start-up of the Jubilee South-East (JSE) and was hopeful that this would help to sustain gross production of 100,000 barrels per day.
In a statement issued Monday and copied to energynewsafrica.com, Tullow said it is delighted to provide an update on production from its Jubilee field following the recent start-up of the Jubilee South East (JSE) Project, offshore Ghana.
“Gross production from the field has surpassed 100,000 bold, after a second JSE production well was brought onstream. Both of the JSE wells are performing in line with expectations. Two further wells are on track to be tied in during the remainder of the year.”
Rahul Dhir, Tullow’s Chief Executive Officer, commented today: “Reaching production of over 100,000 bopd from the Jubilee field is a major milestone for Tullow, our partners and for Ghana.
“I look forward to working with our partners to sustain these higher levels of production for several years and to realise the full potential of the Jubilee resource base.
“For Tullow, delivery of this step up in production is a key part of our business plan, in line with our commitment to deliver over $800 million of free cash flow between 2023 to 2025.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Fuel Prices Shoot Up
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the Republic of Ghana have begun reviewing their pump prices in response to rising crude oil prices on the international market.
As of Monday, July 17, 2023, leading oil marketing companies GOIL Plc., Shell and TotalEnergies adjusted their pump prices upward.
Both GOIL Plc. and Shell adjusted their pump prices for both petrol and diesel by 10 and 15 pesewas respectively.
By this, a litre of petrol is sold at Gh¢12.40 while diesel is sold at Gh¢12.45 per litre.
TotalEnergies adjusted both petrol and diesel by 15 pesewas and currently selling both petrol and diesel at Gh¢12.45 per litre.
PETROSOL adjusted both petrol and diesel prices to Gh¢12.19 per litre. Previously, Petrosol sold petrol at Gh¢ 11.99 per litre while diesel was sold at Gh¢12.05 per litre.
Engen adjusted both petrol and diesel prices and is selling petrol at Gh¢12.25 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢ 12.35. Previously, Engen sold both petrol and diesel at Gh¢12.15 per litre.
Star oil has also adjusted both petrol and diesel prices and selling petrol at Gh¢11.49 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢11.79 per litre. Previously, it sold petrol at Gh¢11.39 per litre while diesel was sold at Gh¢ 11.69 per litre.
Unlike in other parts of Africa where fuel prices are reviewed monthly, in Ghana, fuel prices are reviewed every two weeks.
During the first pricing window on July 1, the crude oil price was hovering around $74 per barrel.
As of Monday afternoon, WTI traded at $74.94 while Brent is sold at $79.34 per barrel.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Power Distribution Companies Demand Review Of Electricity Tariffs
Power distribution companies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria have written to the country’s electricity regulator, NERC, seeking a review of electricity tariffs to reflect changes in macroeconomic parameters.
The power distribution companies cited changes in factors including the increase in the exchange rate, which is about N785/$1, and the inflation rate at 22.41 per cent in May 2023 among others, stating that these should be reflected in the tariff as the last tariff increase was benchmarked on N400/$1 being the official exchange.
Consequently, the regulator, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has issued a notice to stakeholders inviting comments on the request by the distribution companies.
“Under Section 116 (1) and 2(a&b) of the Electricity Act 2023 and other extant rules, the eleven (11) successor electricity distribution companies (“DisCos”) have applied for rate review with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
“The request for rate review is premised on the need to incorporate changes in macroeconomic parameters and other factors affecting the quality of service, operations and sustainability of the companies.
“The Commission hereby invites the general public for comments on the rate review applications by the distribution licensees.
“Interested stakeholders are advised to review and take into consideration the excerpts of the Rate Review Applications filed with the Commission by the respective licensees.
“As part of the rule-making process and in the exercise of the powers conferred by the Electricity Act, the Commission shall conduct a Rate Case Hearing on the applications before making a ruling.”
According to the Commission, the request to participate shall include an explanation of the person’s interest in the proceeding and how the party would be affected by the outcome of the Application; and a description of the party’s concerns, observations comments and/or objections to the application.
“Any person wishing to participate in the proceedings as an intervenor should forward his/her application to [email protected] before the close of business on July 20, 2023.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
African Energy Chamber, World Nuclear Association Join Forces To Advance Sustainable Nuclear Energy In Africa
The World Nuclear Association and the African Energy Chamber (AEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive nuclear energy adoption in Africa.
The MoU will also see the parties collaborate on the African Energy Week (AEW) conference – taking place in Cape Town from October 16-20 this year.
This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to promoting clean, affordable and reliable nuclear energy as a crucial component of Africa’s energy mix, to support economic growth, a just transition and sustainable energy development.
As part of this partnership, World Nuclear Association, the organization representing the global nuclear industry, will be a leading participant in the upcoming AEW 2023 conference.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Bilbao y León, Director General of World Nuclear Association said, “I am excited about participating at AEW 2023 again this year and engage with policy-makers, developers, NGOs and the finance community on the essential role of nuclear energy for the African energy transition, towards abundant affordable 24/7 clean energy for everyone.”
Nuclear energy has great potential to support sustainable growth and development in Africa’s energy landscape.
Currently, South Africa relies on two nuclear reactors, which contribute approximately 5% of its electricity generation.
The government has shown strong commitment to nuclear energy, with plans announced in 2019 to build 1 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2030 and extend the lifespan of existing plants.
Egypt has recently taken significant steps, commencing with the construction of a nuclear power plant in El Dabaa with four large reactors.
This plant aims to generate electricity while also providing substantial desalination capacity.
Meanwhile, many African countries, including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda, are exploring the deployment of nuclear energy as part of their strategy to meet urgent energy demand.
Dr Bilbao y León added that, “I believe that nuclear energy offers a golden opportunity to build a cleaner, more equitable world, in which everyone has access to clean abundant affordable 24/7 energy and a high quality of life, and I look forward to working with NJ Ayuk and his team at the AEC to help Africa make the most of this opportunity by deploying nuclear energy.”
The partnership between AEC and World Nuclear Association will bring African leaders and nuclear industry stakeholders together at AEW 2023 to advance nuclear energy development.
AEW will serve as a valuable opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking, fostering exchanges between global nuclear industry and African countries, ultimately driving collaboration and progress in the field of nuclear energy.
“The Chamber is delighted to have Dr Bilbao y León, the Director General of World Nuclear Association, as a distinguished speaker at AEW. Her extensive experience and expertise in the nuclear industry will undoubtedly enrich the discussions and inspire African leaders to explore the immense potential of nuclear power. Her presence reinforces the commitment of AEW to foster dialogue and cooperation in shaping Africa’s energy future,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Energy Sector Needs Emergency Plan -World Bank
The World Bank has warned Ghana that the country’s power situation will worsen if the government fails to tackle it within the shortest possible time.
The Bank wants Ghana to put together an emergency action plan to immediately tackle the energy sector problems to prevent escalation.
World Bank’s Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde, who made the call at a press conference in Accra, the capital of Ghana, noted that although Ghana’s energy challenges are not unique, they require urgent attention.
According to her, failure to address the issues promptly would exacerbate the situation and impose greater financial burdens on the state, diverting resources from other crucial areas.
“The problems that Ghana is experiencing are not unique to Ghana, but they are very serious because if they are not addressed, they will get worse and worse. If not arrested and addressed with really an emergency action plan, it will get worse and it will cost the state more to keep the energy sector running at a time when they need to spend money on other things.
“The World Bank is providing, first of all, technical advice on what needs to be done, so the metering, the billing, the collection and making sure that you have an account set up so from which all the different flows of the revenues collected flows to where it needs to go so that those who are generating the electricity are paid,” she said.
The West African nation’s energy sector is saddled with huge debts and it is making it difficult for the sector to operate efficiently.
Recently, Independent Power Generators threatened to suspend operations by July 1,2023, as a result of $1.7 billion owed them by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The ECG’s last-minute commitment which is less than the 30 per cent demand by the IPPs saved the situation.
Apart from the monies owed the IPPs, the West Africa Pipeline Company (WAPCo) was also owed US$13 million for the transportation of gas from Atuabo and, they too, threatened to suspend gas transportation until GNPC and ECG mobilised to pay US$6 million out of the total figure.
The development has forced ECG to undertake a series of revenue mobilisation exercises across its operational areas to recover monies owed by its customers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: WAPCo Shuts Down Tema Metering And Regulatory Station For Regulatory Test
The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has shut down its Tema Regulating and Metering Station for the emergency regulatory test today, Sunday, July 16, 2023.
The exercise is expected to last for about seven hours from 9:00 am to 15:00 GMT.
WAPCo is required by its regulatory authority, the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), to carry out a periodic Emergency Shut Down, as part of measures to ensure safe and reliable operations of the pipeline.
“This Emergency Shut Down is part of WAPCo’s 2023 Scheduled Maintenance activities and planned collaboratively with stakeholders and sanctioned by WAGPA.
“The date for this exercise was coordinated with the national grid operator, Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo), in consultation with the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other key stakeholders to minimise its impact on communities that rely on power generated from cleaner and more efficient gas transported through the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). All relevant stakeholders were informed in advance to ensure minimal disruption,” WAPCo said in a statement issued by Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku, General Manager Corporate Affairs and copied to energynewsafrica.com.
WAPCo apologised to customers in Tema for the inconvenience that may be caused by the planned shutdown, which is a regulatory requirement.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Angola’s Sonangol’s Journey Towards Partial Privatization And Shifting Mission (Article)
By NJ Ayuk
The petroleum industry is one of the mainstays of Angola’s economy, accounting for more than a third of the country’s GDP and more than 90% of its exports. It also generates about 70% of the government’s total budget revenues and is the biggest source of foreign direct investment (FDI).
Moreover, its importance is not likely to diminish any time soon. Angolan crude oil production levels have been trending downward for some time due to the maturation of existing fields, but the country was still extracting more than 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) as of May 2023, and it is encouraging foreign investors to search for new reserves in the untapped sections of its offshore zone. Additionally, Angola has been paying closer attention to its natural and associated gas resources and is working to increase production in a bid to take advantage of rising demand, especially in Europe.
These are the kind of circumstances that make resource nationalism — a policy approach under which governments, acting in the name of their constituents, assert and retain control over natural resources rather than allowing private-sector entities to become full stakeholders — attractive. But Angola has not succumbed to this temptation. Instead, its government, under the direction of President João Lourenço, is pursuing a remarkable reform program designed to allow Sonangol, the national oil company (NOC), to represent local interests while also working cooperatively with outside investors.
First Step: Shifting Sonangol’s Mission
The government began laying a foundation for these reforms in 2019, during Lourenço’s first term as president. In February of that year, the president signed a decree establishing the National Agency for Oil, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG). The decree stated that ANPG would act as the country’s concessionaire for oil and gas projects, thereby making the new agency solely responsible for regulating, supervising, and monitoring activities related to oil and gas exploration and production.
In so doing, it stripped Sonangol of this function. The company had previously served as a national concessionaire while also acting as a partner or shareholder in oil and gas development projects. Once ANPG took over the role of concessionaire, though, it was no longer responsible for regulatory tasks and could focus on operational matters.
It is true that the NOC was already taking steps in this direction anyway. It had been working since mid-2017 to divest non-core units — that is, subsidiaries focusing on other types of economic activity, such as finance, real estate, travel, and food services. But it was the creation of the new agency that truly set the stage for Sonangol to function more like an oil company and less like a government bureaucracy.
Next Step: Partial Privatization
It’s no wonder, then, that the Lourenço administration took things further. In September 2021, Diamantino Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum, and Gas, announced that Sonangol was preparing for an initial public offering (IPO), an event that would allow outside investors to become shareholders in the company.
That announcement was not immediately followed by a stock exchange listing. Instead, the NOC worked to formulate a concrete plan for partial privatization, and in September 2022, shortly after Lourenço’s election to a second term as president, the government began unveiling its new roadmap.
Initially, that roadmap was incomplete. It provided for the sale of up to 30% of Sonangol’s stock but did not specify exactly how that process would unfold. That is, it did not say when or on what terms the shares might be offered to potential buyers.
Since last September, though, Angola’s government has clarified its intentions. It has stated that the IPO will only move ahead once Sonangol meets a number of key milestones. In November 2022, Sebastião Gaspar Martins, the company’s chairman and CEO, listed the following requirements:
- Bringing the share of total oil and gas output coming from fields operated by Sonangol up to 10%
- Increasing domestic refining capacity to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuels
- Developing and constructing at least one petrochemical plant
- Expanding and monetizing fuel distribution and marketing networks, as well as logistics networks
- Increasing domestic storage capacity for petroleum products
- Reducing carbon dioxide emissions by at least 20% in exploration, production, and refining operations
- Launching renewable energy projects and increasing carbon capture