The Bui Power Authority is planning to construct a 50MW Solar PV Farm in Yendi in the Northern Region of Ghana, energynewsafrica.com. can report.
The contractor for the project has already been selected and groundbreaking is expected to be done soon.
The project will be sited near GRIDCo’s substation in Yendi to ensure easy transmission of power upon completion.
The Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority (BPA), Mr. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, who disclosed this in a speech he read at a round-table discussion organised in Accra by Huawei, a Chinese leading global provider of ICT infrastructure and smart devices, stated that the project would include 5km of transmission lines.
This, he said, is to enable vast improvement of electricity distribution in the Dagbon area.
Mr Dzamesi noted that every solar plant requires a base load and, hence, the Authority had concluded the selection of a consultant to do total feasibility studies on the three western rivers namely, Pra, Ankobra and Tano and Wli Waterfall for additional hydropower to complement the Bui hydro.
“We hope to have a close on the award by 18 months to me,” he said.
He said BPA’s goal is to diversify Ghana’s energy mix, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the country’s sustainable development objectives.
“We are exploring wind, solar and other clean energy sources, aiming to meet the increasing demand for electricity in an environmentally conscious manner,” he concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The prestigious Africa Energy Forum (aef) is set to take place from 20th to 23rd June this year at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and its State Agencies are collaborating with Energynet to host the event in the Country.
It marks the first time Kenya will host this esteemed energy forum that brings together key stakeholders and thought leaders in the energy sector from around the world. With a reputation of being the most meaningful gathering of decision-makers in African energy, the aef serves as a platform for partnerships, identifying opportunities and propelling the industry forward.
Under the theme “Africa for Africa – Building Energy for the Just Transition,” the 25th Africa Energy Forum aims to foster a deeper understanding of the continent’s energy requirements while emphasizing the vital role of international investors in meeting these needs.
This highly anticipated event brings together government officials, utilities, regulators, development finance institutions, commercial banks, power developers, technology providers, engineering, procurement, construction companies (EPCs), and professional services. By converging and sharing insights, participants will forge partnerships and drive positive change in Africa’s energy sector.
KenGen, one of Kenya’s leading energy utilities, is the country host for the 25th aef.
This further cement its position as a key player in the energy sector in Kenya and Africa.
Kenya has recently become a beacon of renewable energy deployment, showcasing its commitment to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Notably, Kenya has made significant progress in diversifying its energy mix, with geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar power accounting for 81% of the nation’s electrical generation.
Kenya’s impressive utilization of geothermal energy, which constitutes over half of its low-carbon electricity, has positioned the Country as a frontrunner in the field. In fact, Kenya releases excess geothermal energy during periods of low electricity demand, a testament to its abundant resources.
The Country’s installed geothermal capacity is projected to expand by at least eightfold, opening doors for expanding green manufacturing capacity and exporting surplus electricity to neighbouring nations. KenGen’s participation in the forum presents valuable opportunities for collaboration with investors, sector partners, and industry experts, driving the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.
Additionally, the event will witness the launch of the Youth Energy Summit (YES!), empowering and providing tools for the African youth to succeed in the energy industry.
KenGen and the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) have been instrumental in developing renewable energy in Kenya.
The two entities have played a pivotal role in strengthening the Country’s geothermal production capacity, contributing significantly to the progress of the energy industry.
Other utilities involved in Kenya’s energy sector include the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA) and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
KPLC ensures reliable electricity distribution and supply, KETRACO facilitates efficient transmission of electricity, REREC extends electricity access to rural areas and promotes renewable energy adoption, NUPEA is involved in nuclear power project development and implementation, while EPRA is an independent regulatory authority responsible for technical and economic regulation of electricity, petroleum and renewable energy sub-sectors in Kenya.
The 25th Africa Energy Forum will feature distinguished keynote speakers, including Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet, who will deliver the opening remarks on behalf of aef & YES! The event will include welcome statements from Honourable Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Energy & Petroleum, and Honourable Ababu Namwamba, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts, representing the Republic of Kenya.
Other speakers include Joseph Nganga, Vice President for Africa at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), a founding partner of YES, who will provide scene-setting remarks.
The Africa Energy Forum 2023 promises to be a landmark event, driving innovation and collaboration in the energy sector in Africa.
It will serve as a catalyst for advancing sustainable energy solutions, fostering partnerships, and shaping the future of Africa’s energy landscape.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Chinese leading global provider of ICT infrastructure and smart devices, Huawei, is partnering with Bui Power Authority (BPA), Ghana’s second-largest power generation company, to enable them to leverage technology in its operations.
Bui Power Authority operates 404 Megawatts Hydro Electric Power Dam located on the Bui River in the Savannah Region, 5MW of Floating Solar PV plant on the Bui Dam reservoir and also developing a 250MW solar power plant of which 50MW is currently supplying power to the national grid.
The company also operates the Tsatsadu 45kW mini hydro power plant at Alavanyo Abehenease in the Hohoe Municipality in the Volta Region.
It is in the light of ensuring efficiency in the operations of these power infrastructures through technology that Huawei has partnered with the BPA.
On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, BPA and Huawei held a round table discussion where a section of Ghanaian journalists was allowed to interact with officials of the two institutions.
Speaking at the event, Edison Xie, Vice President of Corporate Communication at Huawei, said, “Our partnership with BPA is the reflection of the amalgamation of the determination to develop hydro energy and other renewable energy sources and to harness the benefits of ICTs that are propelling Ghana on its growth trajectory.”
He stated that Huawei is privileged to be part of the digital transformation journey in Ghana and is excited about the boundless possibilities that the future holds in Ghana with pumping power and energising growth.
According to him, Huawei’s eLTE solution installed at Bui Dam exemplifies how ICTs can optimise operations and enhance efficiency.
This broadband private network provides wireless coverage across the entire site, enabling real-time communication between the control office and the on-site workforce, and improving response times to maintenance requests and emergencies.
“This eLTE solution serves as the cornerstone of Bui Power Authority’s digital operation and supervision. It tackles the challenge of information silos by integrating and consolidating data from various sources, thus, enhancing coordination and decision-making within the organisation,” Mr. Xie said.
He added that Huawei’s solution can support the smooth evolution of the hydropower station to be a truly intelligent power production system, making sites safer and more efficient, to lay the groundwork for future intelligent solutions like water level detection and flow monitoring.
“Our work at the Bui hydro-solar hybrid dam reflects our efforts in leveraging the power of 5G, AI, and the Cloud to transform industries across the globe. Digital transformation is key to ensuring that industries can become more productive and can’t,” he emphasised.
In his remarks, the CEO of Bui Power Authority, Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi said, “To augment Ghana’s hydro generation, BPA has embarked on landmark initiatives which include the 250MWp Solar Project, out of which 50MWp have already been developed and connected to the National Interconnected Transmission System.
“I am glad to say that the Bui Solar Park uses the Huawei inverters and battery system, the first of its kind to be deployed in Africa,” he added.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, by the Technical Advisor to the Minister, Mr Kwabena Tandoh praised the collaboration between BPA & Huawei.
He further stated the deployment of Solar Plants within the Bui enclave demonstrates the success of the government’s strategy in developing renewable sources and utilising next-generation systems to provide stable access and supply of electricity for all Ghanaians.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi delayed a trip to the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station on Wednesday for security reasons as Moscow and Kyiv reported heavy fighting in southern Ukraine.
Grossi had been expected to visit the plant (ZNPP) in southern Ukraine on Wednesday following talks in Kyiv on Tuesday, but Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said the trip had been pushed back, possibly by days.
“Grossi is in Ukraine. The issue of his visit to the ZNPP should be resolved in the next few days,” Galushchenko was quoted as saying by Interfax Ukraine news agency.
“I cannot assess the situation – there are hostilities going on and the military is assessing the situation.”
Russian news agencies, reporting early on Thursday morning, quoted a senior official in Russia’s nuclear industry as saying Grossi was likely to visit the Zaporizhzhia plant on Thursday.
“We can say with a high degree of certainty that the IAEA delegation headed by Grossi will still take place on Thursday,” Renat Karchaa, an adviser to the general director of Rosenergoatom, which operates Russia’s nuclear stations, told Tass news agency.
There was no word late on Wednesday from Ukrainian officials.
A diplomatic source had earlier said security checks were being made and Grossi’s trip was expected to take place soon. Russian news agency Interfax quoted a Russian-installed local official as saying Grossi would visit on Thursday.
Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in Kyiv on Tuesday that he was “very concerned” that the nuclear plant could be caught up in a Ukrainian counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied territory.
Source: Reuters
Nigeria’s new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has appointed Ms. Olubukoka Arowolo Verheijen as a Special Advisor for Energy.
She was appointed alongside seven other advisors.
Before her appointment, Ms. Arowolo was the Managing Director at Latimer Energy.
She is an energy expert with nearly two decades of transactional project development, investment and policy experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
She currently serves as an Advisory Council Member of the US Millennium Challenge Corporation and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Energy for Growth Hub.
She is also the Founder of the BFA Foundation, which funds scholarships for women and other disadvantaged groups to expand their career advancement opportunities in high-growth sectors including the energy sector.
Her past roles include a Deal Lead and member of the Governing Board of an upstream JV at Shell and partner and investment committee chair at an early-stage investment firm with a pan-African portfolio of distributed renewables companies.
Education
Between 2003 and 2005, Ms Verheijen pursued her higher education at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School, where she obtained a master’s degree in public policy, with a focus on Financial Markets Analysis, Business, and Government Policy.
This academic achievement further solidified her understanding of the intricate dynamics between economics, politics, and policymaking.
Earlier in her educational journey, she attended Long Island University from 1995 to 1999, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. This foundational education equipped her with a broad understanding of economic principles and political systems, providing a strong basis for her subsequent professional endeavours.
By combining her academic accomplishments with her extensive practical experience in the energy sector, Ms Verheijen possesses a comprehensive skill set that enables her to navigate complex economic and policy landscapes.
Her educational background, coupled with her expertise in the energy industry, positions her as an asset in shaping effective policies and driving sustainable economic growth in the energy sector.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Energy Commission, the technical regulator of electricity, natural gas and renewable energy, in collaboration with the Ministries of Energy and Education, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, launched the 4th Edition of the Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge.
This year’s SHS Renewable Energy Challenge, which is on the theme: ‘Mechanised Small-Scale Agriculture Using Renewable Energy Technologies’, was born out of the Commission’s mandate under the Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832), which includes the promotion of the development and utilisation of renewable energy resources.
The Commission is also to recommend and advise relevant stakeholders on the educational curriculum on efficient use of renewable energy sources and evolve programmes for its mainstreaming in the educational curriculum in Ghana.
The Challenge seeks to promote creative thinking and provide mentorship to students in the second-cycle institutions, and also extend to them the platform to exhibit their innovative projects.
In an address on behalf of the Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Mr Seth Mahu, a Deputy Director for Power at the Ministry of Energy, noted that agriculture has been associated with large-scale farming practices that heavily rely on manual labour and conventional machinery.
He, however, said this approach presents limitations in terms of efficiency, productivity and sustainability.
“By shifting our attention towards small-scale agriculture, we can establish a decentralised system that empowers farmers with greater control over their production, promotes local food security and enhances rural development,” he explained.
The participating schools are expected to develop projects in the field of agriculture that incorporate renewable energy technologies.
“This provides an opportunity to explore innovative ways in which renewable energy can be harnessed to revolutionise farming practices and promote sustainability,” the Minister said.
Ing. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, Executive Secretary of Energy Commission
According to him, students are required to devise a project that demonstrates the utilisation of renewable energy technologies to enhance any of these aspects within agriculture.
Moreover, students have the flexibility to integrate other scientific or technological aspects such as artificial intelligence, alongside their chosen renewable energy technology.
“I urge everyone to foster an environment of encouragement and support for schools, teachers and students, enabling them to unleash their full potential in conceptualising and developing innovative projects and products,” he said.
Dr Opoku Prempeh commended the Energy Commission for their efforts in securing the long-term sustainability of the Challenge, which involves the ongoing development and commercialisation of the students’ projects.
The Director-General of Ghana Education Service Dr. Eric Nkansah said with renewable energy technologies, “we can ensure a brighter future for small-scale farmers.”
She said small-scale agriculture plays a vital role in feeding communities and contributing to local economies.
She, however, said these farmers often face significant challenges such as limited access to electricity and reliance on fossil fuels for irrigating farms.
“This is where renewable energy technologies step in as a game-changer. Renewable energy technologies offer a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources.
“It is, therefore, very important for us, as a country, to look at ways of improving the agricultural sector to enable our farmers to use renewable energy technologies to efficiently harness the energy from renewable energy technologies to maximize the production and harvest for small-scale agriculture to produce enough feed for feeding the communities,” she concluded.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of Energy Commission, Ing Oscar Amonoo -Neizer said the Challenge has come a long way since its modest inception in 2019 when it was first introduced as a pilot programme involving 29 schools in the Greater Accra Region.
Since then, he said the Challenge has evolved into a national programme, capturing the attention and enthusiasm of both academic and non-academic institutions.
He said the prizes for this year would even be much better than the previous ones.
He expressed the Commission’s gratitude to the partners- German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Ashesi University, Bui Power Authority and Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited for their invaluable support.
The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reassured Ghanaians that the country will not return to the era of prolonged power outages popularly known in Ghanaian parlance as ‘dumsor’ which was witnessed between 2012 and 2016.
According to him, his administration is fully aware that electricity is the driving force of every economy in the world and, therefore, has committed to keeping the lights on to enable Ghanaians to engage in economic activities.
The President was speaking at the commissioning of 161kV Accra Central Bulk Supply Point constructed by the Ghana Grid Company for US$40 million with funding from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“I want to reassure all of you that my government will continue to work towards keeping the lights on despite the global dynamics of energy pricing because the alternative is not an option.
“We are not going back to ‘dumsor’. We leave that to President Mahama (former president),” President Nana Akufo-Addo retorted.
The prolonged power outages which were occasioned by generation shortfall between 2012 and 2016 resulted in the collapse of several jobs and threw hundreds of people out of jobs.
According to research findings by the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER), the University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana lost about GHS3 billion to the crisis.
The power crisis, according to ISSER, affected 885 small-scale enterprises, thereby, making them lose Ghs250 million, with 55 of them folding up.
The Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who also spoke at the commissioning, extolled the commitment of President Akufo-Addo to making sure that Ghana enjoyed stable and reliable power.
He said President Akufo-Addo promised in 2017 that his administration would ensure that the country did not return to the era of power crisis and he has done just done.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), the operator of the National Interconnected Transmission System in the Republic of Ghana, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, commissioned its 161kV Accra Central Bulk Supply Point (BSP) to boost power supply in Central Accra and other parts of the capital.
The BSP which is Ghana’s first Gas Insulated System and funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with a US$40 million grant is aimed to address increasing power demand and improve supply reliability to the Central Business District of Accra.
The facility is equipped with a control building,a main transformer platform hosting three 125MVA transformers,a Gas Insulated Switchgear platform with 170kV gas-insulated switchgear and platforms for 161kV cable terminations and indoor 33kV switchgear systems.
Commissioning the project, the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo noted that the sub-station “is a technological innovation applied in areas where spaces are significant and limited, where large capacity switch care and transformers which are compact can be installed.
“The benefits of this Accra bulk supply point, amongst others, are to reduce transmission and distribution losses, ensure high reliability of electricity supply and ensure a high level of personnel safety,” the President remarked.
“Now with the operationalisation of the Accra bulk supply point, power voltages have become stable, protecting valuable equipment, power supply reliability has improved and with this, reducing system losses as required by the regulator, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC),” he added.
President Akufo-Addo registered the appreciation of the government and the people of Ghana to the government and people of the Kingdom of Japan for their kind gesture.
“This project could not have become a reality without the generous grant from the Japanese government and its external agency, the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA), with Japanese technology and technological assistance. This project is an excellent illustration of the strong cooperation between the Republic of Ghana and the Kingdom of Japan which we cherish,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ghana, I extend deep appreciation to the Japanese government and the Japanese consultants, the joint venture of Yachiyo Engineering Company Limited and West Japan Engineering Consultancy Incorporated, the main contractor, the main contractor, the Japanese joint venture of Mitsubishi Corporation, Hitachi Plant Construction Limited Yurtec Corporation for the efforts and continues corporation and contribution to Ghana’s development and growth,” Akufo-Addo added.
The Minister for Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and Board Chairman of GRIDCo, Ambassador Kabal Blay-Amihere, in their brief statements, both took turns to register their appreciation to the Japanese Government for making the project a reality.
They added that overall, the project would relieve the existing substations of overloads and, thereby, allowing for planned maintenance works to be carried out without power supply interruptions to customers, a significant reduction in power losses especially at the medium voltage level, among others.
Country Representative of JICA, Ms Suzuku Momoko, and the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mochizuki Hisanobu, in their statements, also indicated that the Japanese Government is delighted to offer her support to Ghana in the power sector.
It is the vision of the Government of Japan to continue in their efforts aimed at ensuring that Ghana enjoys a constant power supply across the entire land space of the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Back in 1998, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) became the first public utility to confirm attendance at the inaugural Africa Energy Forum (AEF).
A quarter of a century later, the leading electricity generator in East Africa and a leading global geothermal developer will profit from its unwavering loyalty, as Kenya’s capital, Nairobi opens its doors to the event and a delegation of global innovators, decision-makers, financiers, ministers, and future game-changers.
Achieving ‘firsts’ is nothing new to KenGen, having been the very first public utility on the continent to offer shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), to ignite investments into the energy sector in the country as a result, to export skills to the continent and to catalyse new forms of electrification such as with geothermal.
It is through these efforts that Kenya’s energy mix now comprises the highest proportion of renewables in Africa, amounting to close to 92 percent.
KenGen has also been no stranger to sharing its expertise and success stories through the lens of conferences. The organisation hosts an annual Good-to-Great Global Innovation seminar to give a voice to innovators from across their teams, to charge development, and to entice new ideas for the next phase of evolution.
KenGen also hosted its inaugural annual Sustainable Energy Conference last year and plans are underway to hold the second edition later in the year.
The Company’s constant strive for improvement is especially poignant given that it was first incorporated back in 1954 with the mandate to generate electricity through the development, management, and operation of power plants.
Regular restructurings, strategic pivots, and investment boosts have ensured that KenGen has moved with the times throughout its tenure, making it a natural fit for AEF – an event that has similarly sought to stay abreast of current challenges while also keeping ahead of the curve regarding future power requirements.
KenGen Chairman, Julius Migos Ogamba, says: “Since its inception in 1954, KenGen has made considerable inroads in Kenya’s energy sector. With an installed electricity generation market share of 65 percent and an installed capacity of 1,904MW, KenGen is the largest energy producer in East Africa. In Africa, KenGen is currently working with electricity agencies in Ethiopia and Djibouti providing geothermal drilling services.”For his part, Acting Managing Director and CEO, Abraham Serem, affirmed the NSE-listed firm’s strategic direction going forward, saying: “The strategy remains to deliver competitively priced clean energy by creating value for shareholders and while expanding energy sources and revenue streams. The company’s installed generation capacity mix includes hydro 43%, geothermal 42%, thermal 14%, and wind 1%.”KenGen’s full scope spans six operational areas, built of a geothermal area along the Great Rift Valley, with geothermal power plants and wellheads running as baseload energy sources in two of the sites – Olkaria and Eburru. The Western region has an installed capacity of 250MW encompassing four hydro stations, a thermal power plant, and gas turbine units. Meanwhile, the Eastern region is made up of five power plants along the Tana River cascade; compounded by four more in the Upper Tana region, as well as the Ngong wind plants in the outskirts of Nairobi. Today, hydro still remains KenGen’s leading source of energy, consisting of an installed capacity of 826MW.
This volume of generation across a diverse mix of sources epitomises why the company has become such a pioneer on the continent over the years, and why it has so much knowledge to share at events such as AEF. While it has been a concerted effort of the event to make Kenya the first mainland African host of AEF, it has also been an ambition of the country to leverage KenGen’s expertise and to open its doors to the world via such a global forum.“One of the key economic drivers in Kenya is the tourism sector and conference tourism has grown to become a major contributor to the same. The government has therefore placed great importance to ensuring that Kenya is not only a global holiday destination but equally a global business and conference destination,” says Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Republic of Kenya. “Taking place under the important theme of ‘Africa for Africa’, we look forward to welcoming AEF’s many partners and developers from across the world, as well as our colleagues from across Africa’s ministries and public sectors – all of whom are welcome, and we are grateful for their efforts to reduce the energy deficit, both regionally and across the broader continent.”
Merging a shared vision for a prosperous future in Africa, driven by energy innovations, Kenya will reaffirm at AEF its mission to invest significantly in future industries. This especially targets climate-resilient technologies for mining, carbon reduction, and the development of green industries, including green steel and hydrogen.
Mr. Chirchir continues: “We have already formed an inter-governmental Task Force to ensure that the forum’s delegates have an exceptional experience during their time with us in Kenya. This Task Force, which includes the Ministry of Tourism, is also supporting those planning to explore our great nation beyond the borders of Nairobi City, to enjoy the safaris in numerous parts of the country as well as several areas of outstanding national beauty along the coastline.“We extend the warm hand of friendship to all those joining us and look forward to an exceptional week of productive meetings.”Facilitating energy investment in fast-growing economies – EnergyNet has produced investment forums and executive dialogues for Africa and Latin America’s power sectors for the last 25 years – in Europe, the USA, Asia and across Africa and Latin America.
Ghana’s largest power generation companies, Volta River Authority (VRA) and Bui Power Authority (BPA) joined other institutions on Friday to plant trees as part of the Green Ghana initiative aimed at combating the impact of climate.
While VRA observed the Green Ghana Day with a tree planting exercise at the Akwamuman Senior High School in the Eastern Region, Bui Power Authority and some of its key stakeholders planted trees at the Bui Generation Station in the Savannah Region.
Senior High Schools that participated in the VRA’s exercise in the Asuogyaman District were Akwamuman SHS, Adjena Senior High/Technical School, Apeguso SHS, Boso Senior High Technical and Anum Presbyterian SHS.
“The exercise formed part of the Authority’s commitment to promoting sustainable development towards a greener Ghana,” VRA said in a post on Facebook.
In a speech read on behalf of the CEO of BPA, Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, the Director for Estates, Mr. Maxwell Wumbilla Salifu, stressed that the importance of forest reserves to all forms of life on earth cannot be underestimated.
He further stated that in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Ghana is enjoined in Target 15.2 to “promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.”
He continued that BPA was committed to relentlessly establishing forests cover through its flagship ‘Forest Resource Enhancement Programme (FREP)’ to implementing climate mitigating actions through tree planting within all BPA’s operational areas among others with the needed resources to achieve their desired objectives.
He indicated that the FREP initiative commenced in 2012 on a pilot scheme and has, over the years, received a tremendous boost with an expansion from a coverage area of 423.67 acres as of 2021 to 1,423.67 in 2023 under his leadership.
On bushfire management, he paid special tribute to the Ghana National Fire Service deployed to Bui and PAPs Contractors in complementing the OHSE Team’s efforts to achieve this.
The Deputy Director of OHS&E, Mr Chrisentus B. Kuunifaa indicated that the forests are serving as the “lungs of the earth that support our very existence and survival on this planet.”
He, therefore, underscored the critical role forests play in BPA business continuity and operational excellence, in line with the theme for the 2023 Green Ghana Day; ‘OUR FORESTS, OUR HEALTH’.
He catalogued some of the benefits of the established forests which included the provision of clean air, carbon capture, food, medicine, water (hydrological cycle) and support the life of all forms and well-being.
On his part, the Director of the Power Operations Department, Mr Samuel Nimako Boateng reiterated that energy was key to human development such as providing basic needs, increasing productivity and improving effective health care delivery.
He stated that being conscious of the imminent threats of climate change and global warming, BPA would continue to position itself to contribute zero carbon emissions in its operations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria’s new President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the electricity bill, which was passed in July 2022 seeking to repeal the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, and thus becoming the Electricity Act.
The Act will bring about the de-monopolization of Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity at the National level and empower states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
The Electricity Act was first passed in July 2022 under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
However, the immediate past Nigerian leader failed to assent it into law.
Few days after assumption of office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has pledged to ensure regular supply of power to Nigerians assented to the Electricity Act 2023 to give Nigerians some hope.
The Electricity Act will replace the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.
It provides a framework to guide the post-privatization phase of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) as well as encourage private sector investments in the sector.
State Electricity Empowerment
The de-monopolization of Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity at the National level empowers states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
Under the Act, states can issue licenses to private investors who can operate mini-grids and power plants within the state. However, the Act precludes interstate and transnational electricity distribution.
Powers of NERC
Under the Electricity Act 2023, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will be able to regulate the electricity sector within Nigeria without prejudice to the powers of the states to make laws and create electricity markets within those states and to regulate those markets.
The Act mandates how NERC can transition regulatory responsibilities from itself to state regulators when they are established. Until a state has passed its electricity market laws, NERC will continue to regulate electricity business exclusively carried out in those states.
For now, Lagos, Edo and Kaduna states already have electricity market laws and can start regulating their market. But for other states without such laws, NERC will regulate.
NERC will still carry out cross-border regulations – generation, and transmission across states will still be regulated by NERC.
The Act grants lawmakers the power to carry out oversight responsibilities and function over the NESI through its respective Committees on Power in the Senate and House of Representatives. This is to be carried out notwithstanding the supervisory powers of any government Ministry over government-owned enterprises or other entities operating in the Nigerian electricity supply industry.
Empowering Renewable Energy
Electricity generation licensees are obligated to meet renewable generation obligations as may be prescribed by NERC. Under the Act, electricity generating companies will be mandated to either generate power from renewable energy sources, purchase power generated from renewable energy or procure any instrument representing renewable energy generation.
The Electricity Act also mandates the imposition of renewable purchase obligations on distribution or supply licensees.
The Act also states that anyone may construct, own or operate an undertaking for generating electricity not exceeding 1 megawatt (MW) in aggregate at a site or an undertaking for distribution of electricity with a capacity not exceeding 100 kilowatts (KW) in aggregate at a site, or such other capacity as NERC may determine from time to time, without a license.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria has accused American multinational oil and gas giant, ExxonMobil of oil theft in Rivers State.
The West African nation’s regulator for midstream and downstream oil and gas industry, NMDPRA, claimed in a letter written by its CEO Engr. Farouk Ahmed to Chief of Defence Staff General Leo Irabor on June 8, 2023, that ExxonMobil was collaborating with the owners of vessel ‘Barumk Gas’ to engage in oil theft and economic sabotage.
According to the NMDPRA, the vessel was detected to have been involved in unapproved lifting of Butane at Bonny River Terminal.
The letter which was titled “Economic sabotage, criminal damage and theft through illegal petroleum lifting operations at Bonny River Terminal,’’ indicated that the lock placed on the facility by its officials was broken by the oil company to enable the illegal act.
“The urgent attention of the Chief of Defence Staff is drawn to the illegal petroleum lifting operations taking place at Bonny River Terminal.
“The vessel Barumk Gas is lifting Butane at Bonny River Terminal without the authorisation or participation of the NMDPRA.
“This unlawful action is being facilitated with the active connivance of ExxonMobil who have illegally destroyed the locks on the sea-line valve whose keys are in the custody of the Authority,” the letter reads.
Ahmed noted that the actions of ExxonMobil and Barumk Gas constitute economic sabotage, criminal damage and theft of Nigeria’s resources.
The letter charged the CDS to “urgently prevent the sailing out of Barumk Gas until investigations into the matter are concluded”.
Meanwhile, ExxonMobil Communications Manager, Oge Udeagha, has absorbed the company of wrongdoing, stating that “all operations of the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture are carried out in full compliance with the law”, according to report by Daily Post Nigeria.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Northern Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (NEDCo) has announced that it will, on Thursday, June 15, 2023, embark on phase 2 of its revenue mobilisation exercise to retrieve monies owed by customers.
According to the company, the exercise will cover all categories of customers in arrears including State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
“Special security arrangements will be put in place to arrest and prosecute anyone who interferes with the exercise.
“Any persons identified to be engaged in illegal connections or reconnections will equally be dealt with by the law,” a statement by the company said.
It added that NEDCo’s Head Office and Area Offices would be closed temporarily to allow for the full engagement of all staff, including top Management in this exercise.
“Our customer service centres, zonal offices and third-party vendors will, however, remain open to address customer concerns including reconnections,” the statement said.
The company served notice that recalcitrant customers who have refused to redeem their indebtedness to the company after they have been served with Demand Notices would be arraigned before the law courts.
“Customers in arrears are entreated to pay their bills immediately to avoid disconnection and payment of reconnection fees.
“Customers who signed payment agreements with NEDCo under the Phase-1 of the exercise should ensure that all installments that have fallen due are settled by June 15, 2023.
“NEDCo urged all to cooperate for the exercise to be successful, stating that they can only serve customers well when they pay their bills.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has been given the prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General to prosecute crimes in the oil and gas supply chain in the country.
The regulator obtained an Executive Instrument (EI) 378, in 2020, to ensure the successful prosecution of cases in the petroleum downstream industry and stem the tide of criminal acts in the sector.
The Legal Manager at the Legal Directorate of NPA, Ms Farida Ali-Musah, revealed this during a media engagement in Cape Coast.
She explained that, hitherto, the NPA relied on the Attorney General and the police for the prosecution of cases.
Ms. Ali-Musah said some of the cases were thrown out of the courts for lack of prosecution.
Besides, she said since the establishment of NPA in 2005 by Act 691, the industry had witnessed great evolution.
Therefore, she said the Authority needed to have the prosecutorial powers to enhance its regulatory mandate.
Ms. Ali-Musah mentioned operating without NPA certified licence, misapplication of the prescribed petroleum pricing formula and tampering with Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV) tracking and volume monitoring as some of the crimes that would be prosecuted.
Others are false statements and withholding of material information, obstruction or interference with investigation and selling unmarked fuel.
Some of the crimes would attract sentences between five and 10 years.
Ms. Ali-Musah said the NPA had started stakeholder consultations to pave the way for the start of the prosecution process.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
On his part, the Executive Secretary of Energy Commission, Ing Oscar Amonoo -Neizer said the Challenge has come a long way since its modest inception in 2019 when it was first introduced as a pilot programme involving 29 schools in the Greater Accra Region.
Since then, he said the Challenge has evolved into a national programme, capturing the attention and enthusiasm of both academic and non-academic institutions.
He said the prizes for this year would even be much better than the previous ones.
He expressed the Commission’s gratitude to the partners- German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Ashesi University, Bui Power Authority and Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited for their invaluable support.
The facility is equipped with a control building,a main transformer platform hosting three 125MVA transformers,a Gas Insulated Switchgear platform with 170kV gas-insulated switchgear and platforms for 161kV cable terminations and indoor 33kV switchgear systems.
Commissioning the project, the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo noted that the sub-station “is a technological innovation applied in areas where spaces are significant and limited, where large capacity switch care and transformers which are compact can be installed.
“The benefits of this Accra bulk supply point, amongst others, are to reduce transmission and distribution losses, ensure high reliability of electricity supply and ensure a high level of personnel safety,” the President remarked.
“Now with the operationalisation of the Accra bulk supply point, power voltages have become stable, protecting valuable equipment, power supply reliability has improved and with this, reducing system losses as required by the regulator, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC),” he added.
President Akufo-Addo registered the appreciation of the government and the people of Ghana to the government and people of the Kingdom of Japan for their kind gesture.
“This project could not have become a reality without the generous grant from the Japanese government and its external agency, the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA), with Japanese technology and technological assistance. This project is an excellent illustration of the strong cooperation between the Republic of Ghana and the Kingdom of Japan which we cherish,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ghana, I extend deep appreciation to the Japanese government and the Japanese consultants, the joint venture of Yachiyo Engineering Company Limited and West Japan Engineering Consultancy Incorporated, the main contractor, the main contractor, the Japanese joint venture of Mitsubishi Corporation, Hitachi Plant Construction Limited Yurtec Corporation for the efforts and continues corporation and contribution to Ghana’s development and growth,” Akufo-Addo added.
The Minister for Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and Board Chairman of GRIDCo, Ambassador Kabal Blay-Amihere, in their brief statements, both took turns to register their appreciation to the Japanese Government for making the project a reality.
They added that overall, the project would relieve the existing substations of overloads and, thereby, allowing for planned maintenance works to be carried out without power supply interruptions to customers, a significant reduction in power losses especially at the medium voltage level, among others.
Country Representative of JICA, Ms Suzuku Momoko, and the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mochizuki Hisanobu, in their statements, also indicated that the Japanese Government is delighted to offer her support to Ghana in the power sector.
It is the vision of the Government of Japan to continue in their efforts aimed at ensuring that Ghana enjoys a constant power supply across the entire land space of the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
He further stated that in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Ghana is enjoined in Target 15.2 to “promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.”
He continued that BPA was committed to relentlessly establishing forests cover through its flagship ‘Forest Resource Enhancement Programme (FREP)’ to implementing climate mitigating actions through tree planting within all BPA’s operational areas among others with the needed resources to achieve their desired objectives.
He indicated that the FREP initiative commenced in 2012 on a pilot scheme and has, over the years, received a tremendous boost with an expansion from a coverage area of 423.67 acres as of 2021 to 1,423.67 in 2023 under his leadership.
On bushfire management, he paid special tribute to the Ghana National Fire Service deployed to Bui and PAPs Contractors in complementing the OHSE Team’s efforts to achieve this.
The Deputy Director of OHS&E, Mr Chrisentus B. Kuunifaa indicated that the forests are serving as the “lungs of the earth that support our very existence and survival on this planet.”
He, therefore, underscored the critical role forests play in BPA business continuity and operational excellence, in line with the theme for the 2023 Green Ghana Day; ‘OUR FORESTS, OUR HEALTH’.
He catalogued some of the benefits of the established forests which included the provision of clean air, carbon capture, food, medicine, water (hydrological cycle) and support the life of all forms and well-being.
On his part, the Director of the Power Operations Department, Mr Samuel Nimako Boateng reiterated that energy was key to human development such as providing basic needs, increasing productivity and improving effective health care delivery.
He stated that being conscious of the imminent threats of climate change and global warming, BPA would continue to position itself to contribute zero carbon emissions in its operations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
