Ghana: GRIDCo And ECG Report Power Outage In Western, Central, Northern Regions And Part Of Accra
Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have announced that the Central, Western, and Northern regions, as well as parts of Accra, the capital of Ghana, have been cut off from the power supply.
According to a statement jointly issued by ECG and GRIDCo, they attributed the power cut to a system disturbance that occurred at 1:42 pm on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
The statement said a tipper truck discharging stones at a private developer’s construction site near the Nkawkaw-Konongo Transmission Line lifted its bucket into the line conductor, damaging the line and causing the disturbance.
“This incident caused all power plants at Aboadze and Anwomaso to trip, taking off supply to the Western, Central, and Northern parts of the country, as well as some customers in Accra,” the statement said.
The statement informed that engineers have mobilized to the location to repair the damaged transmission line, assuring that work is ongoing to restore all affected areas by 6 pm today. GRIDCo and ECG apologized to electricity consumers for the inconvenience this incident has caused.
In view of this unfortunate development, the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has issued a statement informing its customers about the situation.
NEDCo assured its customers that power supply would be restored as soon as the issue is resolved by GRIDCo.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: TOR MD Reassigned To Energy Ministry As Technical Advisor
The Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery, Dr Yussif Sulemana, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition as a Technical Advisor, this portal can confirm.
Dr Sulemana was appointed in February 2025 and replaced Kofi Tagoe Mocumbi who served as the Managing Director in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.
During Akufo-Addo’s administration, TOR had four Managing Directors, including one Acting Managing Director and an Interim Management Committee (ICM).
Despite several attempts, attempts to revamp the refinery remained unsuccessful during the eight-year administration.
As one of the energy sector agencies frequently in the news, TOR attracted significant attention from industry watchers.
Dr Sulemana has over 15 years of experience in the energy industry, specialising in oil production, oil refinery process systems optimisation and systematic troubleshooting.
His credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, a Master of Science in Management (Oil & Gas), and a Doctor of Business Administration in Energy Management.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Mahama Appoints Charlotte Osei, Totobi Quakyi, 7 Others To Ghana Gas Board
Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has appointed eight members to the Board of Directors for the Ghana National Gas Company, the national gas aggregator of the Republic of Ghana. The new board includes a former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei.
The rest of the newly appointed board members are Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi (Chairman), Ms. Judith Adjobah Blay (Acting CEO), Mr. Emmanuel Vincent, Ms. Nasira Afrah Gyekye (MP), Mr. Samuel Kwame Borlu, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, Mr. Baba Abdul Jamal Adama, and Mr. Blay Nyameke Armah (MP).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 30, Ghana Gas said the appointments reflect the President’s confidence in the new board’s ability to lead the company effectively.
“We look forward to working with the new Board to enhance the company’s operations, address challenges, ensure quality standards, and foster peaceful coexistence,” the statement said.
The Ghana National Gas Company was established in July 2011 as a limited liability company with the responsibility to build, own, and operate natural gas infrastructure required for gathering, processing, transportation, and marketing of gas.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria Dismisses Managing Directors Of Three State-Owned Refineries
Nigeria has dismissed the managing directors of three state-owned refineries and replaced them, local reports suggest. The dismissed managing directors are Ibrahim Onoja, Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC); Efifia Chu, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited (WRPC); and Mustafa Sugungun, Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC).
According to reports, their dismissal is part of a broader organizational shake-up to bring efficiency to the operations of the refineries. However, the move has been viewed by many Nigerians as a deliberate attempt to oust loyalists of the dismissed Group CEO and Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Last month, President Bola Tinubu sacked the board of NNPC Ltd, including its GCEO, Mele Kyari, and board chairperson Pius Akinyelure. The president also approved Bayo Ojulari as the new GCEO of NNPC and Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman. NNPC Ltd announced the appointment of a new 8-member senior management team, stating that the appointments take immediate effect, following the recent appointment of Mr. Ojulari and the Board of Directors.
Although the company’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, did not respond to inquiries on the matter when contacted, multiple impeccable sources at the firm familiar with the development confirmed the shake-up by the new management team.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ukraine, US Sign Minerals Deal Sought By Trump
Ukraine and the U.S. on Wednesday signed a deal heavily promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump that will give the United States preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals deals and fund investment in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
According to a report by Reuters, the two countries signed the accord in Washington after months of sometimes fraught negotiations, with uncertainty persisting until the last moment with word of an eleventh-hour snag.
The accord establishes a joint investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction as Trump tries to secure a peace settlement in Russia’s three-year-old war in Ukraine.
The agreement is central to Kyiv’s efforts to mend ties with Trump and the White House, which frayed after he took office in January. Ukrainian officials have hoped that the deal would ensure continued U.S. support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko were shown signing the agreement in a photo posted on X by the Treasury, which said the deal “clearly signals the Trump Administration’s commitment to a free, sovereign, prosperous Ukraine.”
Svyrydenko wrote on X that the accord provides for Washington to contribute to the fund.
“In addition to direct financial contributions, it may also provide NEW assistance – for example air defense systems for Ukraine,” she said. Washington did not directly address that suggestion.
The U.S. has been Ukraine’s single largest military donor since Russia’s 2022 invasion with aid of more than 64 billion euros ($72 billion), according to the Kiel Institute in Germany.
Before the signing, Trump repeated on Wednesday that the U.S. should get something for its aid to Kyiv, thus the effort to secure a deal for Ukraine’s plentiful deposits of rare earth minerals.
In announcing the deal, the U.S. Treasury said the partnership recognized “the significant financial and material support that the people of the United States have provided to the defense of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion.”
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: NPA Boss Seeks Police Support To Combat Fuel Diversion Amid ‘Galamsey’ Fight
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Esq. has solicited the support of the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to curb fuel diversion amidst the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey in the Ghanaian parlance.
Edudzi made the appeal when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Friday, April 30, 2025.
The purpose of the visit was to officially congratulate the IGP on his appointment and to hold discussions that bothered on strengthening the long-held relationship between the NPA and the Ghana Police Service.
The IGP lauded his guests for the visit and assured the NPA of the Police Service’s readiness to assist them in the fight against fuel diversions and other crimes in the downstream petroleum sector.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that the relationship between the Ghana Police Service and the NPA continues to grow.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Nigeria: Power, Defence Ministers Not Sacked — Onanuga
Nigeria’s Presidency has called on security agencies to take stringent action against fake news websites and platforms, as well as purveyors who fail to check the authenticity of stories before disseminating them virally.
This follows a report suggesting that the Power and Defence Ministers have been sacked.
According to the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the report is completely false, misleading, and devoid of any factual basis.
“At no point has President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissed the Ministers of Defence or Power. This falsehood, presented as breaking news, is nothing but reckless propaganda designed to misinform the public,” he clarified.
To set the record straight, the most recent cabinet changes announced in October 2024 did not include the Ministers of Defence or Power.
Those affected were Ministers of Women’s Affairs, Tourism, Education, State for Housing and Urban Development, and Youth Development. Furthermore, ten ministers were reassigned, and seven new nominees were presented for Senate confirmation, all of which were officially documented and widely reported by credible media platforms.
Nigerians are strongly advised to ignore the concocted report by Phoenix Browser. It is fake news, plain and simple, sensationalist hogwash that should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
The Presidential aide, however, clarified that “press freedom and freedom of speech will not exist when some people can wake up and concoct their news and narratives without regard for truth.”
Tinubu’s spokesman described the report as simply “licentiousness and must be criminalized.”
He therefore urged the public to depend on official government channels and trusted news outlets for accurate and verified information.
Source://https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Embrace New Technologies, Ideas To Improve Services—Acting VRA Boss Tells Workers
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Edward Obeng-Kenzo, has urged the staff of the organisation to be ready to embrace new technologies and ideas to improve services and imbibe innovation to shape the future of this critical national power asset.
According to him, this is the new and innovative way to make the VRA a competitive and functional energy resort that will help Ghana fast-track her socioeconomic development agenda in this competitive world.
He said this at the 64th Anniversary celebrations of the VRA, under the theme: ‘Unite, Explore and Innovate’, which was held at Akuse on Friday, April 25, 2025, in the Eastern Region.
Mr Obeng-Kenzo asserted, “Digital transformation, customer-centric approaches, internal process optimisation and strategic planning would be our principal guide in pursuit of a sustainable future.”
The Acting VRA boss was of the view that the power environment has taken a new dimension due to increasing competition, with rapid changes in policy, regulations and the global energy transition drive having a telling effect on the energy business across the world.
“We, therefore, need to run our business with a different mindset for a better tomorrow. We need to operate in a way that provides value to our stakeholders. We need to continue to build on our quest to deliver reliable and affordable electricity and demonstrate with clear actions our strong belief in developing local talent,” he assured the staff.
To attain this, Mr Obeng-Kenzo expressed the firm belief that they should collectively remain innovative, disciplined and hardworking, trusting that their esteemed workforce, endowed with differentiated value, skills and competence, should be harnessed to provide superior service delivery, innovative solutions, and responsiveness to their adopted new strategy.
“As the Acting Chief Executive, I am committed to increasing the efficiency and reliability of our operations, increasing the capacity of our generation portfolio, reducing equipment downtime, and enhancing overall organizational performance,” he affirmed.
The Acting VRA CEO said the theme for the celebration underscored their commitment to fostering collaboration, driving continuous learning and cultivating innovative practices that position VRA for sustainable grand operational excellence.
To achieve this noble objective, he, therefore, called for renewed productivity and efficiency by making it habitual to find new ideas, fresh energy, and attract novel partnerships to help sustain the business.
“That is why the organisation will invest in talent development, attract, develop and retain talent while fostering a culture of innovation, safety and excellence that can shape the landscape of their productivity,” he said.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
He said this at the 64th Anniversary celebrations of the VRA, under the theme: ‘Unite, Explore and Innovate’, which was held at Akuse on Friday, April 25, 2025, in the Eastern Region.
Mr Obeng-Kenzo asserted, “Digital transformation, customer-centric approaches, internal process optimisation and strategic planning would be our principal guide in pursuit of a sustainable future.”
The Acting VRA boss was of the view that the power environment has taken a new dimension due to increasing competition, with rapid changes in policy, regulations and the global energy transition drive having a telling effect on the energy business across the world.
“We, therefore, need to run our business with a different mindset for a better tomorrow. We need to operate in a way that provides value to our stakeholders. We need to continue to build on our quest to deliver reliable and affordable electricity and demonstrate with clear actions our strong belief in developing local talent,” he assured the staff.
To attain this, Mr Obeng-Kenzo expressed the firm belief that they should collectively remain innovative, disciplined and hardworking, trusting that their esteemed workforce, endowed with differentiated value, skills and competence, should be harnessed to provide superior service delivery, innovative solutions, and responsiveness to their adopted new strategy.
“As the Acting Chief Executive, I am committed to increasing the efficiency and reliability of our operations, increasing the capacity of our generation portfolio, reducing equipment downtime, and enhancing overall organizational performance,” he affirmed.
The Acting VRA CEO said the theme for the celebration underscored their commitment to fostering collaboration, driving continuous learning and cultivating innovative practices that position VRA for sustainable grand operational excellence.
To achieve this noble objective, he, therefore, called for renewed productivity and efficiency by making it habitual to find new ideas, fresh energy, and attract novel partnerships to help sustain the business.
“That is why the organisation will invest in talent development, attract, develop and retain talent while fostering a culture of innovation, safety and excellence that can shape the landscape of their productivity,” he said.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com Nigeria: TCN Demolishes Illegal Structures Under Power Pylons
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Kano Region, has cleared illegal structures erected within parts of its Transmission Right of Way (RoW) in Kano Metropolis.
The exercise, carried out on April 23 and 24, 2025, was undertaken under the directive of the Encroachment and Anti-Vandalism Committee, reinforcing TCN’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the national transmission network.
A statement issued by Mdidi Mba, General Manager for Public Affairs at TCN, said the exercise targeted unauthorized developments along critical power lines, including the Kano-Zaria 330kV line, Kano-Zaria 132kV line, and Kano-Kankia 132kV line, in the Panshekara and Reka communities.
“These encroachments posed significant risks to the reliability of the lines and safety of individuals in structures under the transmission lines,” TCN said.
TCN had previously issued warnings against trading, buying, or constructing within designated Transmission Rights of Way, emphasizing the importance of adhering to prescribed clearance zones for the protection of lives and access during line and tower maintenance.
The company reiterated that the specified RoW measurements are 25 meters on either side of 330kV lines and 15 meters on both sides of 132kV lines.
It asserted that any infringement upon these areas not only negatively impacts TCN’s efforts but also endangers lives, posing severe risks to surrounding communities.
TCN emphasised that the committee will continue to work not only in the Kano Region of TCN but also in other transmission regions of TCN, as part of measures to safeguard the transmission lines and integrity of its towers for more stable and efficient bulk power transmission.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s Petroleum Proceeds Jumped By 27% To $1.357 Billion In 2024–PIAC Report
Ghana’s total petroleum proceeds soared by 27.8 per cent from US$1.062 billion in 2023 to US$1.357 billion in 2024.
This is the second-highest annual petroleum receipt since inception, with 2022 being the highest year (US$1.42 billion).
This was revealed by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) in its 2024 Performance Report, citing an increase in crude oil prices.
The report added that the total proceeds from GNPC Explorco’s liftings received in 2024, amounting to US$145 million, were not paid into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF).
This brings the cumulative proceeds of unpaid revenue into the PHF held by Jubilee Oil Holding Limited (JOHL) and, subsequently, GNPC Explorco to US$488,790,044 as of the end of 2024.
GNPC argued that proceeds from liftings by GNPC Explorco did not constitute payments into the Petroleum Holding Fund.
About the recommendation, the Committee reiterated its position that proceeds from liftings by GNPC Explorco constituted indirect participation of the State and, therefore, must be paid into the Petroleum Holding Fund.
Surface Rental Arrears
Meanwhile, the surface rental arrears owed by some International Oil Companies (IOCs) remained high at US$2,893,120 as of the end of 2024.
The report stated that about 60 per cent of the arrears were due to three companies whose Petroleum Agreements were terminated in 2021.
For recommendation, the report urged the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Petroleum Commission, the Bank of Ghana and the Ministry of Energy to collaborate to recover the Surface Rental arrears.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Egypt: Afreximbank Launches US$3 Billion Revolving Intra-African Oil Import Financing Programme
African Export-Import Bank has rolled out a $3 billion revolving credit line that will enable African and Caribbean buyers to source petrol, diesel, jet fuel and other products from refineries on the continent more easily.
The bank expects the facility to provide $10–14 billion of trade finance over its first three years and address Africa’s persistent reliance on imported refined petroleum products, which accounts for approximately $30 billion annually in petroleum import costs due to inadequate refining capacity.
Both oil export- and import-dependent economies have been whipsawed this year by a sharp fall in crude prices and a jump in freight costs.
Brent crude is down more than 20% since mid-January on supply dynamics and on fears that a global trade war will sap demand.
Meanwhile, insurance costs for ships using the Red Sea have climbed again after renewed Houthi attacks prompted U.S. airstrikes on Yemen in March, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to a typical fuel cargo.
By shifting purchases to nearby refineries and locking in bank credit up-front, governments can limit the budget shock from such external swings.
The Revolving Intra-African Oil Import Financing Programme is rooted in Afreximbank’s recent push to boost regional processing capacity.
The Cairo-based lender is the largest financier of Nigeria’s 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote refinery. It has also helped overhaul Nigeria’s Port Harcourt oil complex and is arranging funding for plants in Angola and Ivory Coast too.
These ventures could add around 1.3 million bpd of refining capacity.
Commeting Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank, said that the programme “would galvanise efforts towards making the Gulf of Guinea a key refining hub. Whilst the programme will have a direct impact on the volume of the refined petroleum products produced and consumed in Africa, it will also have a multiplier effect on the downstream petroleum value chain as it will catalyse critical investments in shipping and marine logistics for intra and extra African trade of crude oil and refined products.
The multiplier effect will also be seen in marine cargo insurance and other ancillary businesses within the sector. We want to see an increased proportion of the about 4 mbpd of crude oil produced in the Gulf of Guinea refined in Africa.”
Also commenting on the initiative, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, said: “This programme is a clear demonstration of Africa’s resolve to take charge of its own energy future. We commend Afreximbank for this timely intervention, which stands to benefit African countries like Malawi by reducing import dependency, strengthening regional supply chains, and keeping more value within the continent. Most importantly, it will deliver real impact to our citizens by ensuring more stable and affordable access to refined petroleum products, which are essential to Malawians’ daily life and economic productivity.”
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: UK Firm Seeks Deal To Deploy 5,000MW Renewable Energy In Six Months
United Kingdom (UK)-based Echo Eight Investments Limited is seeking a power deal with Zambia to deploy 5,000MW of renewable energy projects within six months of receiving the necessary approvals, according to a report by Zambia Mail.
David Green, the founder of Echo Eight, stated that the firm has access to immediate capital and is prepared to invest in solar, hybrid and advanced energy storage technologies.
The initiative will incorporate patented 3D solar panels and rooftop wind units designed to boost efficiency and reduce environmental impact, Mr Green added.
This announcement was made during a high-level meeting with a Zambian delegation led by Energy Minister Makozo Chikote at the Zambian mission in London.
Zambia’s Energy Minister welcomed Echo Eight’s proposal, highlighting the country’s need for investors capable of delivering swift and impactful solutions.
He invited Echo Eight Investments Limited to establish clean energy initiatives in Zambia as part of the government’s efforts to end load-shedding and strengthen national energy security.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Energy Minister Appeals To Ghanaians To Accept 14.75% Electricity Tariff Hike
Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has appealed to Ghanaians to bear with the government’s decision to increase electricity tariff by 14.75 per cent effective, May 3, 2025.
According to him, the hike is aimed at meeting the revenue requirement of utilities in order to address operational and financial challenges.
Addressing a section of journalists during the Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the West African Gas Pipeline in Accra, the capital of Ghana, Hon. Jinapor stressed the importance of the review in sustaining the nation’s power supply and advancing ongoing reforms in the sector.
“I want to appeal to Ghanaians and the general consuming public to bear with us even as we make some of these difficult, but unavoidable decisions to ensure that we have stable and reliable power sources for our own economic development,” he stated.
The hike in electricity and water utilities tariffs have been met with stiff opposition from a section of Ghanaians and consumer groups in the West African nation.
However, from the look of things, it appears there is no indication that the government is reversing its decision or reducing the percentage.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
London: Globeleq Confirms Jonathan Hoffman As Permanent CEO
The Board of Globeleq, the leading independent power company in Africa, and its shareholders have announced that Jonathan Hoffman, currently interim Chief Executive Officer, has been confirmed as the group’s permanent CEO.
The Board undertook a thorough and extensive search process that considered both internal and external candidates. Jonathan Hoffman joined Globeleq in 2010, was appointed Chief Development Officer in 2020, and took over as interim CEO in July 2024.
Jonathan has led the development and investment team as they have secured deals and new investments across Africa, including the recent award of Red Sands, the largest standalone battery storage project on the continent.
With over 20 years of experience in the power sector, having previously worked for ABB Energy Ventures and co-founded InfraCo, Jonathan is well-suited for the role.
Since 2015, Globeleq has nearly doubled its generating capacity in operation and under construction. In the 2020s, the group has been responsible for 43% of all utility-scale non-hydro renewable and gas IPP generation to reach financial close in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa).
Jonathan Hoffman will now lead Globeleq through its next phase of growth, focusing on the energy transition in Southern Africa and Kenya.
The group owns and operates 12 renewable power plants across South Africa, Mozambique, and Kenya, has 485 MW in construction, and has several landmark projects in its development pipeline.
Outside Southern Africa, Globeleq will focus on its existing plants, providing vital power to local communities and industry, and generating returns for its shareholders.
Laurence Mulliez, Globeleq Chair, commented, “I am very pleased to confirm that Jonathan Hoffman is now Globeleq’s permanent CEO. Jonathan has in-depth knowledge of our people and portfolio and is ideally placed to lead Globeleq through the next period of growth. Since becoming Interim CEO last year, Jonathan has impressed the board with his commitment to the business and knowledge of our industry and partners.”
Jonathan Hoffman, Globeleq’s CEO, added, “I am thrilled to lead Globeleq’s talented team to deliver on our mission and drive the energy transition in Southern Africa. My absolute commitment is to solve problems for our customers and deliver value to our shareholders.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com