South Africa has gazetted the Amended Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) 4 of 2006, which will do away with licensing needs for embedded electricity generation of up to 100 megawatts.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy gazetted the amended act on Thursday.
Under the newly gazetted Amended Schedule 2 of the ERA, applicants for 1 – 100MW embedded electricity generation projects will now be exempt from the obligation to apply for a licence but, will be required to register with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA.)
The amendment follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on 10 June 2021 that the Schedule 2 Amendment of the ERA would be published within 60 days.
Previously, the maximum allowed embedded power generation threshold was at one megawatt.
According to the department, the increase in the threshold is a positive move and an intervention, which will reform the energy sector.
The intervention to reform the electricity regulation regime has been hailed as a positive way forward by the energy sector and industry across the board.
“It is envisaged that this step will unlock significant investment in new generation capacity in the short-to-medium term, and make significant inroads towards achieving national energy security, as well as reduce the impact of load shedding across the country,” the department said in a statement.
It is expected that the amended act will also allow power generators to send their surplus energy onto the national
grid, subject to grid connection agreements with Eskom and local municipalities, in order to ensure compliance of regulations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority, Mr. Fred Oware, has called on the staff of the Authority to live together as one and demonstrate love to one another in order to create congenial environment for the growth of the company.
Mr. Oware gave the advice in an exclusive interview with energynewsafrica.com as his term of office ended on May 31st, 2021.
He has been replaced with Hon. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, a former Minister for Chieftaincy.
Bui Power Authority is the state’s second largest power generation company in the Republic of Ghana.
Click on the link below to listen to the interview:
The Winners of the 2020 Energy Personality of the Year awards have encouraged students of the Nungua Senior High School in Accra to have a clear vision for their future, be focused and ensure that whatever they set out to do would have a positive impact on society.
Interacting with over 500 students during the Energy Personalities Outreach Programme (EPOP) held in the school’s premises, Mrs. Mami Dufie Ofori, Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Female Energy Personality of the Year urged the students to wholly immerse themselves in whatever they do and display a high level of commitment.
“One thing all of you should have is that whatever you do, you should ensure it has a positive impact on yourself, family, the country and the world at large,” and added that in the beginning, she knew whatever she was going to do should have a change, and that change should be of positive value wherever she went.
On his part, Mr Fred Oware, the Chief Executive of the Bui Power Authority (BPA) and the Energy Personality of the Year (Male category) told the students that it is possible for any of them to become whatever they want to be in life, and that there is nothing wrong in being ambitious so long as it doesn’t hurt anybody.
“You need to believe in yourself, have an ambition” and remember that in life’s circumstances, “if you are diligent, hardworking and want to be noticed for good reasons, you will succeed.”
He also reiterated the need for them to adopt the attitude of using their resources to solve other people’s problems, which is a natural principle to success.
Mami Dufie Ofori, Executive Secretary of Public Utilities Regulatory Commission
Both personalities stressed the need for them to have the right mental attitude, be real to themselves on what they can do, imbibe honesty and sincerity coupled with hard work. But most of all, they should stick to their dreams and live life well.
Mr Fred Oware, former CEO of Bui Power AuthorityEnergy Personalities Outreach Programme
This outreach is a special feature of the Energy Awards scheme, organised for the winners of the coveted Energy Personality of the Year awards. The objective of the programme is for the personalities to share their rare experiences with the youth of the country, especially at the second cycle level to encourage them to reach their life goals and ambitions, which will help them to meaningfully contribute to the country in future.
Ing. Henry Teinor, Director of the awards said the programme is also to inspire the younger generation to aspire to become the best they can be, and especially develop an interest in the country’s energy sector, which is a key contributor to the growth of the economy.
Profiles
Fred Oware is the Chief Executive of the BPA with 40 years of service in several sectors of the economy: banking and finance, project management, broadcasting, hospitality, supply chain management and Renewable Energy management. From 1985 to 1995, he was one of the key persons to revolutionize the financial markets and served pioneering roles in leadership capacities at several institutions including the Ghana Stock Exchange, the leasing market, discount houses/money markets and the promotion of the non-bank financial industry. Due to his varied experiences and his involvement in the establishment of the Bui Dam, he was appointed as the first CEO of the Bui Power Authority until 2009. He was reappointed in 2017, an opportunity which he accepted with the purpose to utilize BPA’s resources to generate additional energy in Renewable Energy, especially solar.
Mami Dufie’s role as Executive Secretary of the PURC is one that is pivotal to core sectors of the economy, prominently energy and water. In her current capacity, she has caused operational efficiency in the Commission and has been responsible for record improvements and results-yielding projects at the PURC. Under her direction, there has been an expansion of pro-poor water projects. She facilitated the building of the new PURC Head Office, and enhanced the Commission’s operations by putting structures in place to boost compliance. One remarkable feat has been the setting up of a Formal Hearing department where a constituted panel holds Utilities accountable, hence pushing entities to adhere to set standards.
A section of the students of Nungua SHS at the outreah programmeGhana Energy Awards
The Ghana Energy Awards Scheme is an industry-owned initiative being executed in partnership with the various government regulating agencies within the sector, and seeks to recognise and appreciate the exemplary efforts of stakeholders in Ghana’s energy sector. It is organised by the Energy Media Group and CH-Business Consulting Ghana.
Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo has appointed Ing Ebenezer Essienyi as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the country’s power transmission company, GRIDCo.
Ing Essienyi’s appointment has been confirmed by the newly constituted Board of GRIDCo at its meeting on Thursday, August 12, 2021.
Ing Essienyi takes over from Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah, whose successful tenure as Chief Executive ended last month.
Prior to his appointment, Ing Essienyi was the Director of Technical Services of GRIDCo.
He has over 24 years’ experience in the public sector in diverse areas such as Engineering, Planning, Design and Project Management.
He joined the Ghana Grid Company in 2008 from the Volta River Authority (VRA), where he worked for twelve years.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
He is a member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) and a product of Mfantsipim School.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A former Minister for Chieftaincy in the first term of President Akufo-Addo’s administration has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s second largest power generation company, Bui Power Authority (BPA).
Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Diploma in Marketing.
In 2001, he was appointed Deputy Volta Regional Minister by President John Agyekum Kufuor and appointed as the substantive Regional Minister for the Volta Region.
In a statement issued by the Bui Power Authority, the outgoing CEO, Mr Oware described his successor as a man of integrity, a reliable person, a team player, and someone who sticks to his word.
He also described him as highly creative and innovative, urging management and staff of BPA to offer Mr Dzamesi the same support, enthusiasm and courtesies that he had received over the past four and half years.
Addressing management and staff of the authority, Mr Dzamesi thanked the outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Mr Fred Oware.
He said, “I am confident that the support given to my predecessor would be extended to me as Chief Executive Officer, to execute the vision of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to make BPA, the leader in Renewable Energy in the country.”
It would be recalled that in 2020, the BPA Act was amended (Bui Power Authority Amendment Act, 2020 (Act 1046)), giving BPA additional mandate to implement renewable and other clean energy options on behalf of the state.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A robbery incident at an LPG retail outlet in the Anloga District of the Volta Region of Republic of Ghana has left the security man at the facility dead.
According to a report filed by Daily Guide, a local newspaper, the robbery occured at the Royal Gas Filling station at Tegbi-Xekpa.
The report said the robbers invaded the facility on Sunday night, shot the 53-year-old security man, Edem Kpodogah, and took the safe containing an unspecified amount of money and fled.
The Manager of the gas filling station, Innocent Kwasi Havor told journalists that one of the staff who arrived at the facility on Monday morning at about 6:10 noticed a break-in.
He said the doors to the facility appeared to have been forced open.
“He quickly searched around for the security man. He could not find him; even in his room.
“Instead, he saw bloodstains on the floor of the room.
“He then went into the room that housed the safe of the company. The safe was gone. The staff then called the manager and informed him of the suspected robbery,” he said.
Mr Havor said he rushed to the facility and realised all their money was gone.
He then conducted another search for the security man. This time, he found the security guard lying motionless in blood behind the facility.
The police were alerted and they came to inspect the crime scene.
A preliminary assessment showed that the security guard might have been hit in the head.
The Keta Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Leonard Abakah called for calm and assured that a thorough investigation is being conducted to track down the perpetrators.
He said a team from the Regional Police Command would be working with those on the ground to get to the bottom of the case.
A bounty of Ghc30, 000.00 has been placed on the head of the perpetrators.
The public was urged to provide prompt information to assist in the investigation.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Keta Municipal Hospital morgue pending an autopsy.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
An Oil and Gas expert, Dr. Jide Agunbiade, has underscored the need for the state to minimise its role in the development of oil and gas projects and refineries in Africa.
In his view, the state should rather facilitate investment in the oil and gas sector by establishing clear regulatory and fiscal regimes.
Dr Agunbiade, who is a director at National Oil Varco, a Houston, Texas based leading provider of equipment not of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and production operations, noted that oil and gas project financing in Africa can be improved if the state clarifies the rules of the game and assures project sponsors and lenders of stability of relevant policies.
Dr. Agunbiade believes there must be active involvement of local partners in the exploration of Africa’s hydrocarbon resources.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, recently urged international banks to stop financing oil and gas projects in response to climate change agenda.
“I also ask all public development banks to commit to exit from coal, domestically and abroad, and urgently phase out fossil fuel finance, and call on all governments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, with clear time-bound targets and plans,” he said.
This call was seen as an opportunity by Simbe Wabote, Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s Content Development and Monitoring Board, who urged Africans to come together and establish bank to finance oil and gas projects in Africa.
Responding to a question posed by energynewsafrica.com on the proposal, Dr Agunbiade, who shared the view, noted that a consolidated African Bank and other multilateral institutions can offer valuable assistance based on their cross-country experience.
Painting a picture of the challenges financiers of oil and gas projects go through, he said, “Sponsors of oil and gas projects in developing countries often find themselves in a seemingly never -ending process while designing the ownership structure, security package, and financing plan.”
According to him, because of the risk associated with financing huge investment, “they try to achieve conflicting objectives—minimising the risk and financing costs while maximising the likelihood of successful and timely project implementation.
“To manage project risks, sponsors need to get more players involved,” he suggested.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A coalition of several community-based and civil society organizations, under the aegis of Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE) has demanded a reversal of the privatisation policy of the nation’s power sector.
Rather, the coalition demanded that the power sector should be under democratic control and the management of workers and consumers.
Addressing a press conference, on Tuesday, the coalition Convener, Shadrach Akinbodunshe and co-convener, Ayodeji Adigun said what was imperative was massive public investment in the power sector to guarantee uninterrupted power supply to all Nigerians.
The coalition asked for a reversal of the present electricity tariff to N21kwh with no further increment.
Speaking further, Akinbodunshe stressed the importance of all Nigerians getting prepaid meters and called for an end to the payment of estimated bills by electricity consumers.
Among others, the group called for an end to any form of compelling communities to procure electricity infrastructure, like poles, transformers, aluminum conductors, for them to be connected to power.
The coalition also demanded for life insurance for all electricity workers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Institute for Energy Policies and Research (INSTEPR), an energy think tank has questioned the silence of Ghana’s largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the GNPC’s plan to acquire stakes in Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum Ghana oil blocks.
The West African nation’s national oil company has submitted a memorandum to Parliament seeking approval for $1.65 billion to acquire 37 percent stake in Deep Water Cape Three Point (DWT/CTP) oil block operated by AKER Energy and 70 percent stake in South Deep Water Tano (SDWT) operated by AGM Petroleum Ghana.
The deal has generated public discussion with the alliance of CSOs in the extractive sector calling for Parliamentary probing into the deal.
Despite concerns being raised about the deal, the country’s largest opposition political party has been silent on the matter.
Reacting to the opposition party’s silence on the deal, Executive Director of INSTEPR, Kwakwo Poku observed that the opposition has held press conferences on almost everything in the last four years but, surprisingly, are silent on the GNPC Aker Energy transaction.
“I would like to call out the NDC to officially tell Ghanaians what their view on this transaction is. They have in the past held press conferences on almost everything in the last four years, so it’s surprising they are very silent on a USD$1.6 billion transaction which was laid in parliament over a week ago.”
“The CSOs and policy think tanks are not an opposition to government but on such issues, people make it seem the civil society is an opposition to government. We seek to deepen the conversation and point out the grey areas for the benefit of Ghana,” he explained.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A former CNN staff and Ghanaian Diplomat, Edward Boateng, who has been penciled for the position of Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Ghana’s premier refinery, is optimistic of dealing with the financial challenges of the refinery and making it a viable asset.
According to the former Ghana’s Ambassador to China, he has what it takes to deal with the challenges confronting TOR.
TOR is Ghana’s premier refinery established in 1963 by the first Ghanaian leader, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The 45,000 barrel per stream day (bpsd) capacity refinery has been struggling because of poor leadership under successive governments.
Staff of refinery have had beefs with almost every Managing Director of the refinery under the 4th Republic because of poor leadership.
During the first term of President Akufo-Addo, the refinery had three Managing Directors.
Mr. Edward Boateng is going to be the fourth person to manage the refinery under the second term of President Akufo-Addo.
Speaking in an interview on a privately owned- Kumasi-based Wuntumi TV, the former CNN senior journalist and communication strategist explained that one of the virtues taught him and his siblings by their parents was the gift of problem solving.
Mr. Boateng was of the view that, though he has not had the opportunity to work at TOR, he strongly believes that the problems facing the refinery is purely financial and hopes to acquaint himself with the workers and craft a lasting solution to the problem and make it profitable again.
“For me, one of the things I always thank my parents for is that they taught us how to solve problems. We have to solve the problem at TOR and I will solve it,” he stressed.
He also cited an instance when he decided to resign from Coca Cola to join the CNN and help build the company.
According him, a friend of his impugned that he was destined to fail for that decision, but he proved him wrong at the end of the day.
“Again, when Breakfast Show was being introduced at GBC, many workers opposed it but we devised a strategy and ran a shift system to make it workable and has now become an envy for many TV and radio stations today.
“The same way was how we used strong negotiating skills to convince many African nations to accept CNN programmes. I will use the same approach to solve the problems confronting TOR and would change the fortunes of this critical national assert,” he noted.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The leadership of Ghana’s Parliament on Sunday, 8th August, 2021, paid an official working visit to the facilities of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited at Atuabo, in the Western part of the West African nation.
The delegation included Osei Kyei-Mensah- Bonsu, Majority Leader, Joseph Osei-Owusu, 1st Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, 2nd Deputy Speaker, Frank Annoh- Dompreh, Majority Chief Whip, and Lydia Seyram Alhassan, 1st Dep. Majority Whip.
The rest are Ahmed Ibrahim, 1st Deputy Minority Whip, and Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, 2nd Deputy Minority Whip.
They were received by the Chief Executive officer of the facility, Dr Ben K.D Asante, who in his welcome address, expressed appreciation to the leadership for visiting the Ghana Gas Complex and processing plant at Atuabo.
In his welcome address, Dr Ben Asante expressed appreciation to Parliament for the support over the years and expressed the belief that the visit would further strengthen the relationship between the two institutions, taking note that Parliament has oversight over the executive and state-owned institutions.
On his part, the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, said the visit was an opportunity for Parliament to understand the activities, challenges and importance of the operations of Ghana Gas as a strategic asset.
Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader, also stated that oil and gas matters are dynamic and as such there was the need for the Parliamentary leadership to be well-positioned to understand issues within the sector.
He also stated that Ghana Gas has a tremendous potential to be a gas hub.
The Parliamentary leadership was taken to the Gas Processing Plant where they were briefed about the gas value chain, operations of the gas plant, the gas infrastructural plan, gas utilisation outlook, the CSR activities of Ghana gas, work programmes of the company and the plan for a Gas Act to regulate the activities of the gas industry.
The visit was facilitated by the Government Relations Department of the Ghana Gas company Limited.
The Medupi Power Station operated by South Africa’s power utility Eskom, on Sunday, exploded but no casualty was recorded.
The explosion occurred at the Unit 4 of the Medupi Power Station at about 22:50 hours.
Eskom in a statement said: “No injuries have been reported and all employees and contractors have been accounted for.
“Emergency services attended to seven colleagues requiring treatment for shock,” the statement added.
Eskom assured the public that it would continue to provide support to the employees who might have been affected by the incident through its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
Eskom explained that Unit 4 was on a short-term outage (since 6th August) when the incident occurred and all work on the plant was suspended with immediate effect.
The company said the incident is suspected to have resulted in Unit 5 tripping and that “preparation for the return to service of Medupi Unit 5 is currently in progress.”
The 4,764-megawatt Medupi coal station started commercial operation on the last of six units earlier this month, marking completion of all building activities.
The plant is part of Eskom’s new build program, which has been years behind schedule and run over budget.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
China has started construction work on a new US$17-billion nuclear power plant project, for which it will install Russian nuclear reactors at the Xudabao project in northeastern China, World Nuclear News reports.
The Xudabao 3 unit is the first of four units at the plant to see the beginning of construction. Russia’s Rosatom will design the nuclear island and will provide equipment.
The Russian firm will also provide commissioning services for the equipment it will have supplied.
The Russians will also provide the construction and equipment for the Xudabao 4 unit, whose construction is expected to begin in 2022.
The two units are currently expected to be commissioned in 2027 or 2028.
Construction for the Xudabao units 1 and 2 has yet to begin, according to World Nuclear News.
Last month, China had to close down a nuclear power plant in the province of Guangdong in the south because it was damaged.
The operator, however, insisted that the Taishan nuclear plant does not have any major safety issue.
A month before that, French company Framatome, a subsidiary of French energy giant EDF, issued a statement related to Taishan’s reactor number 1, saying that it “is supporting resolution of a performance issue with the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant.”
The Taishan nuclear plant could turn into an “imminent radiological threat,” the part owner of the facility, the French company has told the United States, CNN reported in the middle of June, citing U.S. officials and a letter of the French firm it had obtained.
A week before the Chinese operator of the plant announced it would shut down for maintenance, France’s EDF, which holds 30 percent in the TNPJVC joint venture operating Taishan, had said in a statement that it would have shut the plant if it were in France.
“EDF’s operating procedures for the French nuclear fleet would lead EDF, in France, to shut down the reactor in order to accurately assess the situation in progress and stop its development.
In Taishan, the corresponding decisions belong to TNPJVC,” the French company said.
Source: Oilprice.com
Zambia’s electricity company, ZESCO Limited, has commenced restoration of power supply following Sunday’s system failure that resulted in widespread power supply cuts.
In a statement, ZESCO said it has so far restored power in parts of Lusaka, Southern, Western, Central and Copperbelt provinces and will continue for other parts of the country.
ZESCO said it established that on Sunday, 8th August, 2021, at 14:20 hours, the Zambian Interconnected Power System experienced a disturbance.
This followed a sudden loss of significant power generation and subsequent separation of the entire Zambian power system from the rest of the Southern African Interconnected power system.
The company said investigations are still underway and would update the public about the progress being made until full restoration is achieved.
“The inconvenience this has caused is deeply regretted. We thank the public for their continued corporation,” the company said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ing. Henry Teinor, Director of the awards said the programme is also to inspire the younger generation to aspire to become the best they can be, and especially develop an interest in the country’s energy sector, which is a key contributor to the growth of the economy.
Profiles
Fred Oware is the Chief Executive of the BPA with 40 years of service in several sectors of the economy: banking and finance, project management, broadcasting, hospitality, supply chain management and Renewable Energy management. From 1985 to 1995, he was one of the key persons to revolutionize the financial markets and served pioneering roles in leadership capacities at several institutions including the Ghana Stock Exchange, the leasing market, discount houses/money markets and the promotion of the non-bank financial industry. Due to his varied experiences and his involvement in the establishment of the Bui Dam, he was appointed as the first CEO of the Bui Power Authority until 2009. He was reappointed in 2017, an opportunity which he accepted with the purpose to utilize BPA’s resources to generate additional energy in Renewable Energy, especially solar.
Mami Dufie’s role as Executive Secretary of the PURC is one that is pivotal to core sectors of the economy, prominently energy and water. In her current capacity, she has caused operational efficiency in the Commission and has been responsible for record improvements and results-yielding projects at the PURC. Under her direction, there has been an expansion of pro-poor water projects. She facilitated the building of the new PURC Head Office, and enhanced the Commission’s operations by putting structures in place to boost compliance. One remarkable feat has been the setting up of a Formal Hearing department where a constituted panel holds Utilities accountable, hence pushing entities to adhere to set standards.
On his part, the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, said the visit was an opportunity for Parliament to understand the activities, challenges and importance of the operations of Ghana Gas as a strategic asset.
Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader, also stated that oil and gas matters are dynamic and as such there was the need for the Parliamentary leadership to be well-positioned to understand issues within the sector.
He also stated that Ghana Gas has a tremendous potential to be a gas hub.
The Parliamentary leadership was taken to the Gas Processing Plant where they were briefed about the gas value chain, operations of the gas plant, the gas infrastructural plan, gas utilisation outlook, the CSR activities of Ghana gas, work programmes of the company and the plan for a Gas Act to regulate the activities of the gas industry.
The visit was facilitated by the Government Relations Department of the Ghana Gas company Limited.
