Nigeria: IBEDC Decries Assaults Against Its Staff, Facitilies …Appeals For Caution
The Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc has appealed to the public to refrain from engaging in such acts of violence against its employees and facilities.
A statement signed by the Managing Director of the company, Engr Kinsley Achife said electricity distribution companies provide an essential service which is critical to the daily lives of citizens.
The attack on these offices not only causes damage to the property but also disrupts the provision of electricity, which affects the livelihoods of many and throws communities into darkness.
“We understand that these are trying times for us all, but attacking staff who are also Nigerians and destroying electrical installations will further exacerbate the challenges. We, therefore, urge the public to maintain law and order and refrain from engaging in any form of assault against electricity workers who are primarily there to support you, your homes and businesses.”
The Managing Director also assured customers that IBEDC is committed to providing quality services and improving its infrastructure and operations.
He explained that the company had strengthened its non-cash-based payment channels to reduce customer pressure.
“We are also open to feedback and suggestions from the public and will work to address any issues raised speedily” he further said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa: Eskom Appoints Calib Cassim As Interim CEO
South Africa’s power utility company, Eskom, has appointed Calib Cassim as the interim CEO of the struggling company after relieving André De Ruyter with immediate effect on Wednesday.
Calib Cassim was Eskom’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) until his new appointment on Friday.
The utility service said it was pleased to announce that Cassim would take the reigns with immediate effect.
Cassim would lead the Eskom management team until further notice, the utility service said.
Cassim was first appointed as Eskom’s CFO in November 2018 after serving as the acting CFO from July 2017.
He is a registered chartered accountant and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership.
“With over 20 years of service in Eskom, his qualifications and extensive experience have provided Mr. Cassim with a deep understanding and appreciation of the Eskom business and the electricity industry, especially regarding the challenges facing the financing of operations and future expansion of the industry,” Eskom said.
Eskom thanked Cassim’s family for permitting him to assume the additional responsibilities and said it was grateful that he was stepping up to group CEO.
Eskom announced the immediate termination of De Ruyter as CEO in a late-night statement on Wednesday, 22nd February 2023.
“Following the convening of a special board meeting on 22nd February 2023, the Eskom Board and Group Chief Executive, André de Ruyter, reached a mutual agreement to curtail his notice period to 28 February 2023,” the utility service said.
“The board further resolved that Mr de Ruyter will not be required to serve the balance of his notice period but that he will be released from his position with immediate effect.”
De Ruyter already announced his resignation in December 2022 but had agreed to stay on until the end of March 2023.
The statement from Eskom did not provide any reasons for De Ruyter’s early release from the role.
However, it came a day after an exclusive interview with De Ruyter on E-tv’s ‘My Guest Tonight’ with Annika Larsen, in which he made serious allegations about the involvement of politicians in crimes that damaged Eskom financially and operationally.
De Ruyter alleged that high-level members of the ANC, including a senior minister in the government, were complicit in criminal activities such as the Mpumalanga coal theft cartels and sabotage of power stations.
The former CEO also said he was leaving the country for a while to ensure his safety following the revelations.
This was after he was asked if he was concerned that he might be murdered for speaking out.
“I think that will be good for my health,” the former Eskom CEO said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Genevieve Sackey Appointed New Managing Director Of GCMCL
President Akufo-Addo has appointed Madam Genevieve Sackey as the Managing Director of state-owned Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company Limited (GCMCL).
Her appointment follows the resignation of Madam Frances Essiam.
A letter signed by Nana Bediatuo Asante, Secretary to the President, gave the announcement and copied the Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and urged the Minister to regularise the appointment by the relevant provisions of the Companies Act,2019(Act 992) and the regulations of the company.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana:Breaking News: CEO Of Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company Resigns
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company, Madam Frances Awurabena Essiam, has resigned with immediate effect, energynewsafrica.com can confirm.
A source close to Frances Essiam told this portal that Madam Frances Essiam resigned from her post because of the actions of the Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
The source said GCMCL signed an agreement with Ghana Gas Company and that has become a bone of contention between the CEO and Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh who wanted Genser Energy to establish a new gas processing plant instead of the state-owned Ghana National Gas Processing Company.
The interference by the Minister, according to sources, is making the work of Madam Frances Essiam very difficult.
Frances Essiam was appointed by President Akufo-Addo in 2017.
Oil Major Eni Books Highest Annual Earnings In Over A Decade
Italy’s Eni (NYSE: E) reported on Thursday its highest annual net profit in over a decade, joining other international oil majors in reporting high or record earnings for 2022 on the back of soaring oil and gas prices.
Eni’s adjusted net profit surged to $14.1 billion (13.3 billion euros) for 2022, up by $9.5 billion (9 billion euros) compared to 2021, due to a strong operating performance and higher results of equity-accounted entities, the Italian company said today.
However, the slide in prices in the fourth quarter resulted in fourth-quarter earnings slowing from the previous quarter and in line with analyst forecasts, although they were nearly 50% higher than in Q4 2021.
The slowdown in exploration and production in the fourth quarter sent Eni’s shares dipping by 3.6% in Milan mid-day and down by 4% in pre-market trade in New York.
Commenting on Eni’s gas deals last year, chief executive officer Claudio Descalzi said, “During the year, we were able to finalize agreements and activities to fully replace Russian gas by 2025, leveraging our strong relationships with producing states and fast-track development approach to ramp-up volumes from Algeria, Egypt, Mozambique, Congo and Qatar.”
Despite a weaker performance for the fourth quarter, Eni joins the other international majors in reporting bumper annual profits for 2022.
Each of the world’s biggest oil and gas majors reported record profits for 2022 earlier this month, doubling their combined net earnings from 2021 and booking the best-ever year for Big Oil.
Combined, the net profits of Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies surged to $219 billion for 2022, up from around $100 billion booked for 2021, as oil and gas prices surged following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the majors raised oil and gas production to meet growing demand for oil and limited gas supply from Russia to Europe.
Source :Oilprice.com
China: Four Killed, 49 Missing As Coal Mine Collapses
The search and rescue efforts in a collapsed coal mine in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region resumed after a halt caused by a massive landslide at the rescue site.
So far, four people have been confirmed dead, and 49 others remained missing.
Rescuers have brought out 10 people from the debris, including the deaths and six injured ones.
Those still alive were immediately sent to the hospital, according to the rescue headquarters.
Source:Xinhua
Ghana: GRIDCo CEO Pays Courtesy Visit To GNFS
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ing Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi and some top officials of the company have paid a working visit to the Management of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to foster collaboration between the two state institutions.
In a post on Facebook sighted by energynewsafrica.com, it said key among the issues discussed was the need for the GNFS to help prevent fires at GRIDCo’s substations and other power distribution infrastructures nationwide.
Ghana recently experienced a nationwide power outage as a result of a raging bushfire that touched GRIDCo’s high-voltage lines near Tarkwa in the Western Region.
The timely arrival of the fire tender from the Tarkwa Goldfields prevented the destruction of GRIDCo’s power installation in the area.
According to the post, Ing Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi thanked the Service for the audience and reception offered to him and his team.
The CEO’s entourage also included Ing Bernard Kwabena Asante Gyan, Director-Technical Services; Mr Samuel Kow Acquah, Manager of Strategy Risk and Compliance, and Ing Wofa Kojo Kwarteng, Special Assistant to the Chief Executive.
Present at the meeting on behalf of the Service were ACFO II George Wiafe, Deputy Director – Fire Safety Education; DO1 David Sam Afful, Assistant Director of Investigations; DO1 Michael Ato Korsah, Deputy Director-Fire Certification; DO II Ernest Ampene of Investigation Directorate; DO III Husbert Atobra Nyame-Boame of the Safety Directorate and DO III Ackah Desmond, Deputy National Public Relations Officer.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana recently experienced a nationwide power outage as a result of a raging bushfire that touched GRIDCo’s high-voltage lines near Tarkwa in the Western Region.
The timely arrival of the fire tender from the Tarkwa Goldfields prevented the destruction of GRIDCo’s power installation in the area.
According to the post, Ing Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi thanked the Service for the audience and reception offered to him and his team.
The CEO’s entourage also included Ing Bernard Kwabena Asante Gyan, Director-Technical Services; Mr Samuel Kow Acquah, Manager of Strategy Risk and Compliance, and Ing Wofa Kojo Kwarteng, Special Assistant to the Chief Executive.
Present at the meeting on behalf of the Service were ACFO II George Wiafe, Deputy Director – Fire Safety Education; DO1 David Sam Afful, Assistant Director of Investigations; DO1 Michael Ato Korsah, Deputy Director-Fire Certification; DO II Ernest Ampene of Investigation Directorate; DO III Husbert Atobra Nyame-Boame of the Safety Directorate and DO III Ackah Desmond, Deputy National Public Relations Officer.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com South Africa: Eskom CEO Leaves With Immediate Effect
South Africa’s power utility company, Eskom has announced that CEO André de Ruyter will leave the company with immediate effect.
This was contained in a statement released by the state-owned enterprise on Wednesday, 22 February 2023.
“Following the convening of a special board meeting on 22 February 2023, the Eskom Board and Group Chief Executive André de Ruyter have reached a mutual agreement to curtail his notice period to 28 February 2023,” it said.
“The board further resolved that Mr de Ruyter will not be required to serve the balance of his notice period but that he will be released from his position with immediate effect.”
Eskom said arrangements to appoint an acting group chief executive are being finalised and will be communicated in the near future.
De Ruyter was initially set to serve a notice period ending on 31 March 2023.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Petrol, Diesel Consumption Declined Drastically In 2022
The consumption of petroleum products declined significantly in the Republic of Ghana in 2022 as compared to the 2021 consumption, energynewsafrica.com can report.
According to data sourced from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), petrol consumption declined by 154,314,742 litres in 2022 while diesel consumption declined by 153,278,300 litres.
Kerosene consumption declined by 741,000 litres while premix fuel consumption fell by 64,516,500 litres.
The data showed that Residual Fuel Oil consumption went down by 26,857,700 while Heavy Fuel Oil consumption declined by 84,346,397 litres.
However, the consumption of AGO (diesel for mines) increased by 13,112,600 in 2022.
In 2021, petrol consumption was 2,226,994,900 litres while consumption in 2022 was 2,112,680,158 litres.
In the same year, diesel consumption was 2,074,134,000 litres while consumption in 2022 was 1,920,855,700 litres.
Kerosene consumption in 2021 was recorded at 5,688,000 litres while consumption in 2022 was 4,947,000 litres.
Premix consumption in 2021 stood at 104,098,500 litres while consumption in 2022 was pegged at 39,582,000 litres.
Fuel prices shot up astronomically in 2022 with diesel sold at Gh¢23.89 per litre while petrol sold at Gh¢18 per litre in October.
The high cost of fuel in 2022 forced many private car owners to park their cars and patronised public transport.
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Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Gold For Oil: Only OMCS With Not Less Than 45 Outlets Will Receive Products – NPA Boss
The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has said the NPA in consultation with the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) has come up with a criteria for the distribution of the next consignment of petroleum products that has been imported under the Gold for Oil (G4O) programme.
According to him, this is to ensure that the impact of the G4O programme is felt by consumers across the country, while addressing the concerns of the AOMCs regarding a lack of clarity regarding the allocation of products supplied under the programme to its members.
The criteria takes into consideration the top 25 OMCs who distributed petrol and diesel in 2022 with not less than 45 retail outlets across the country.
He touted the implementation of the G4O as it has slightly lowered prices of petroleum products and reduced forex risk.
Speaking at the meet-the-press in Accra on Wednesday, the NPA Boss said the country had received three cargoes so far, comprising 41,000 metric tonnes (MT) of diesel in January, and another 40,000MT of diesel and 35,000MT of petrol which have just arrived and being discharged.
He stressed that “better results are expected as more G4O cargoes arrive.”
The meet-the-press under the auspices of the Ministry of Information that featured the NPA, focused on developments in the downstream petroleum industry on the theme: “Petroleum Downstream: Retrospect and Prospect.”
Tracing the situation before the implementation of the G4O programme, Dr Abdul-Hamid said average monthly petroleum product import bill ranged from $350 million to $400 million.
He said the petroleum downstream dollar demand accounted for 20 percent of national demand.
The NPA Boss noted that Bank of Ghana (BoG) commenced a special exchange rate auction programme for the petroleum downstream in April 2022, and indicated that the special auction programme could not meet 100 percent of forex demand in the country.
“Inadequacy of BoG supply pushes BIDECs to speculate forex rates arbitrarily based on proposed rates from commercial banks”, he said, and explained that the gold payment was mooted as a solution to the pressure that petroleum downstream put on the cedi.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid said the NPA regulates G40 products prices on the interim (Ex-ref price and Ex-pump prices).
He stated that the Authority had intensified price monitoring activities with penalties for defaulting service providers.
Touching on activities undertaken to ensure product quality and integrity, the NPA Boss mentioned the supply of low sulphur fuels (cleaner fuels), a maximum of 50ppm for imports and a maximum of 1500ppm for domestic production.
The NPA also undertakes periodic petroleum product monitoring exercises, conducts fuel marker monitoring and quality monitoring of fuel standards (Quality Control) including checking of water in fuel and collaborates with security agencies to prevent illegal imports, exports and product dumping.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid said the Authority used technology (Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), National Fuel Monitoring System (NFMS) and the Automatic Tank Gauge system) to ensure intended delivery of petroleum products along the petroleum downstream value chain.
He mentioned the revocation of licenses and publication of the names of defaulting Petroleum Service Providers (PSPs) and Laycans allocation and monitoring to ensure adequate supply as some of the activities undertaken to ensure order in the downstream petroleum industry.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
He touted the implementation of the G4O as it has slightly lowered prices of petroleum products and reduced forex risk.
Speaking at the meet-the-press in Accra on Wednesday, the NPA Boss said the country had received three cargoes so far, comprising 41,000 metric tonnes (MT) of diesel in January, and another 40,000MT of diesel and 35,000MT of petrol which have just arrived and being discharged.
He stressed that “better results are expected as more G4O cargoes arrive.”
The meet-the-press under the auspices of the Ministry of Information that featured the NPA, focused on developments in the downstream petroleum industry on the theme: “Petroleum Downstream: Retrospect and Prospect.”
Tracing the situation before the implementation of the G4O programme, Dr Abdul-Hamid said average monthly petroleum product import bill ranged from $350 million to $400 million.
He said the petroleum downstream dollar demand accounted for 20 percent of national demand.
The NPA Boss noted that Bank of Ghana (BoG) commenced a special exchange rate auction programme for the petroleum downstream in April 2022, and indicated that the special auction programme could not meet 100 percent of forex demand in the country.
“Inadequacy of BoG supply pushes BIDECs to speculate forex rates arbitrarily based on proposed rates from commercial banks”, he said, and explained that the gold payment was mooted as a solution to the pressure that petroleum downstream put on the cedi.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid said the NPA regulates G40 products prices on the interim (Ex-ref price and Ex-pump prices).
He stated that the Authority had intensified price monitoring activities with penalties for defaulting service providers.
Touching on activities undertaken to ensure product quality and integrity, the NPA Boss mentioned the supply of low sulphur fuels (cleaner fuels), a maximum of 50ppm for imports and a maximum of 1500ppm for domestic production.
The NPA also undertakes periodic petroleum product monitoring exercises, conducts fuel marker monitoring and quality monitoring of fuel standards (Quality Control) including checking of water in fuel and collaborates with security agencies to prevent illegal imports, exports and product dumping.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid said the Authority used technology (Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), National Fuel Monitoring System (NFMS) and the Automatic Tank Gauge system) to ensure intended delivery of petroleum products along the petroleum downstream value chain.
He mentioned the revocation of licenses and publication of the names of defaulting Petroleum Service Providers (PSPs) and Laycans allocation and monitoring to ensure adequate supply as some of the activities undertaken to ensure order in the downstream petroleum industry.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Nigeria: Mainstream Energy Win Bid For Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant
Nigeria’s National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has approved Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) as the preferred bidder for the concession of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power plant (ZHPP) for a fee of US$70million per year for 30 years.
The Council, chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo (SAN), announced the approval of Mainstream Energy Solutions at its 2nd meeting for the year 2023, held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock in Abuja.
The Council directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to commence the negotiations and execution of the concession agreement with the preferred bidder.
MESL (the preferred bidder) scored 1,142 marks (94.3%) of the total 1,200 marks, thus, surpassing the minimum benchmark score of 75 per cent of 1,200 marks, having offered the highest concession fee of US$70million to beat Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited Consortium (APPNLC) which scored 742 points.
It would be recalled that the NCP, at its 7th meeting for the year 2020, held on December 21, 2020, approved the concession of the ZHPP, consequent which the Federal Ministry of Power (FMOP) donated an irrevocable Power of Attorney to the BPE on June 30, 2021, for the implementations of the NCP’s decision.
Based on this, the BPE published the Requests for Qualifications (RfQ) for the concession of the power plant in three national newspapers on October 27, 2022, when at the close of the deadline, 11 firms submitted bids.
Three of them, namely Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited Consortium (APPNLC), Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL and North-South Power Consortium (NSP) were prequalified.
In another development, the NCP has approved a scheme of External Restructuring proposed by KEPCO Energy Resources Nigeria Limited (KERNL), the core investor in the Egbin Power Plant.
The approval is to enable the entity to boost its capacity to raise the required capital to double the existing capacity of the plant to 2640MW.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Six Armed Robbers Attack Benab Filling Station At Gomoa Ojobi
Six suspected armed robbers invaded the Benab Filling Station at Gomoa Ojobi on the Accra-Cape Coast Highway at the weekend and robbed the station and customers who were at the station to buy fuel.
The masked wearing robbers invaded the station and started shooting indiscriminately, according to a report filed by Accra-based Adom FM.
The robbers made away with mobile phones, the station’s mobile money phones and an undisclosed amount of money.
Police sources said after the robbers succeeded with their operation, they attempted to snatch a Range Rover from a driver identified as Michael Kojo Afful who was heading towards Accra.
According to the police, the driver exhibited an act of bravery and knocked down one of them, killing him on the spot.
The deceased, believed to be a Fulani, according to information gathered, faced the driver violently with a gun.
The accomplices, however, managed to pull their colleague from the road and took all items on him and fled into a bush near Sakom Stone Quarry.
Meanwhile, some customers who were also robbed said they thought that was going to be the end of their lives due to the violent shooting.
Gomoa Dominase Police visited the scene and took the lifeless body to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for preservation.
No arrest has been made yet.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: TOR Workers Lace Their Boots For Massive Protest
Workers of Ghana’s premier refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), are lacing their boots for massive protests against the management of the refinery and the government for failing to ensure the availability of crude oil for the refinery to process.
At a meeting organised by Petroleum Workers Union, the workers resolved among other things that they would no longer stay quiet for the refinery to rot and, thus, would do everything possible to ensure that the refinery started operations.
According to them, they cannot continue to sit idle when the reason for being in the refinery is to work.
“Let’s send a strong message to the board. We are ready to work. Let’s put on a red armband to warn them. We will follow up with mass action,” one of the staff said.
Present at the meeting was the National Chairman of the General Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union, Mr. Bernard Owusu.
Addressing the workers, Mr. Owusu said it is baffling that the government is mobilising gold for refined petroleum products but cannot make similar arrangements for crude oil for TOR to refine.
“Some of us find it difficult to understand why the government is doing gold for the oil programme and going for finished products. Why can’t we do the same for TOR?” he quizzed.
Mr. Owusu, who responded to several pressing issues by the workers, assured the leadership of the union that their leadership is not resting and would do everything possible to ensure that TOR restarts operations.
Some of the workers also called on the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to ensure that government revamps TOR.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
UK Energy Consumers Brace For Hefty Hike Despite Falling Gas Prices
Households face a hefty hike to their energy bills in April, predicts Cornwall Insight, after it warned that the price cap would not fall below the reduced subsidy rate in time for Ofgem’s next update later.
Cornwall Insight expects the price cap to fall from its current record rate of £4,279 per year to £3,294 for the three-month window.
This would be a steep drop off from current levels, but would still be historically very high – with the price cap moving between £1,000-£1,200 per year prior to the industry crisis that saw 30 suppliers collapse and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which drove gas prices to record highs.
The energy specialist expects the price cap to drop heavily in the second half of the year, when the fall in gas prices will be reflected in season-ahead contracts and hedging – which is how suppliers typically buy energy for customers.
However, this will not be in felt in time for the second quarter update, meaning a challenging period awaits households this spring.
Ofgem is set to announce the cap for the second quarter of the year on February 27, establishing the maximum price for an average energy user on a standard variable tariff from April to June.
With the price cap expected to remain above the subsidy rate of £3,000 per year for the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) – with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hiking the protection levels for average bills from £2,500 per year for the next 12 months – many customers will have no choice but to swallow the £500 hike.
Households are also set to lose out on the £400 saving provided by the Energy Bill Support Scheme, meaning an average £900 per year hike in energy bills is on the way.
Dr Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight said: “Regrettably the forecast for April looks set to leave the price cap above the increased Energy Price Guarantee level, meaning average annual consumer bills will effectively jump 20 per cent.
“However, this is before we take into account the end of the £400 energy rebate scheme in March, meaning that the cost of energy for households will increase by even more. While tumbling cap projections are a positive, unfortunately, already stretched households will be seeing little benefit before July.”
Cornwall Insight calculates that the lessened support from the EPG will save the government £2.6bn across the entire scheme.
Based on projected gas prices, if the EPG were to increase to £3,000 per year as planned, the estimated package total would be £26.8bn while if it were to remain at £2,500 per year, the predicted cost for the energy support policies would be £29.4bn.
This is because when the EPG is lower than the price cap, the government has to pay suppliers the difference.
It is currently calculating the price cap will fall to £2,362 in the third quarter and remain lower at £2,389 per year in the winter.
Source: CityAM