Bolts drivers in the Federal Republic of Nigeria have announced a three-day nationwide withdrawal of their services to demand an upward adjustment in both their bonus and fare.
Report by local online portal dailyigeria.com said the drivers are demanding for an increase in the fare and their bonus due to the recent increase in the pump price of petrol and the consequential rise in the price of spare parts.
According to the drivers, the terms and conditions given to them are unfavorable.
“Calabar remained the most adversely affected location as it concerns terms and conditions of driving and earnings compared to other places where the company is operating.
“Due to the increase in the price of fuel, we can no longer meet up, we want the management to increase the fare to at least N1,000 as a baseline,’’ Mike Neji, Treasurer of the Calabar branch of Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria said.
“They should also reduce the commission they collect from us drivers.
“Currently, they are collecting about 35 per cent when you add other components of the charges they deduct.
“We are being charged for a lot of things at a time the prices of fuel, engine oil and car maintenance generally has gone up.
“In spite of the situation, the management is only adding N1000 or thereabout to the fare, which is not in any way commensurate with the reality on the ground,” Nneji said.
He said that the group might be compelled to look for an alternative if the company did not meet its demand.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has commissioned an ultra-modern water laboratory at its head office annex at GNAT Heights, Ridge, a suburb of Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The facility will enable them to test the quality of water supply by Ghana Water Company Limited to consumers.
At a brief ceremony to commission the facility, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Ishmael Ackah emphasised that the health of the water consumers drink is very important, stating that it can cause trouble for consumers and, therefore, needed to be taken seriously.
Dr Ackah said the commission recognises this and, therefore, invested in the laboratory to assure consumers.
According to him, there are times the commission receives complaints from consumers about the poor quality of water supplied to them by GWCL.
He said in most cases, the Commission relied on the services of the Water Resources Commission but said “Because of the huge task at the Water Resources Commission, it takes time before we receive results of our test. Also, it comes with a cost.”
Dr Ackah said the establishment of the water laboratory would ensure that complaints from consumers are resolved expeditiously.
“We want to be responsive in terms of performing our mandate and ensuring that we balance the interest of consumers and utilities,” he said.
Unlike electricity which is regulated, Dr Ackah noted that the water sector is not, stating that his outfit is, therefore, collaborating with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to come out with a legal framework to regulate the sector.
He commended the commission’s water department and was hopeful that with the establishment of the laboratory, their work would be improved.
Commenting on the facility, the Director for Water Services & Performance Monitoring at PURC, Ing. Emmanuel Fiati, said the facility would enable them to do several tests including turbidity, colour content and PH of the water.
He added that the facility would help them speed up the resolution of complaints and guarantee the quality of water supply to consumers.
Ghana’s second-state largest power generation company, Bui Power Authority, is at the stage of completing the 5MW floating solar project on the reservoir of the Bui Generation Station.
The Authority which is the renewable energy leader in the West African nation completed the first 1MW in 2020 under the former CEO, Mr. Fred Oware.
The Authority planned to scale it up to 5MW, going forward.
Therefore, upon assumption of office in 2021, the current CEO, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi carried on from where his predecessor left off.
According to the Director for Renewable Energy at BPA, Wisdom Ahiataku -Togobo, installation works began on 6th March 2023 and within three months, they have completed the installation of 4MW to add to the existing 1MW to bring the total to 5MW.
BPA CEO Mr. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi (2nd right) inspecting the work done
Outstanding works left are the completion of the cabling for the interconnection of the PV plant to the main switchyard which is about 90 per cent complete.
The interesting aspect of the project is that the installation of the panels and electrical cabling is done by the engineers of the Authority and other workforce sourced within the project area.
The CEO of BPA, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, who is a mechanical engineer by profession, was on-site to support and encourage the team in the installation of the panels.
He was accompanied by all the Board members of BPA and the Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu -Banahene.
Upon completion, it will be the largest floating solar in Africa.
In 2022, Tunisia commissioned its first floating solar on the lake with a capacity of 200 kilowatts.
Ghana is currently making progress as far as its quest to increase the penetration of renewable energy sources in the energy mix is concerned.
Management Team of the Renewable Energy Department of BPABono Regional Minister and BPA CEO in a group photo on siteBPA board members on site to inspect progress of work
GOIL PLC, the leading indigenous oil and gas firm in the Republic of Ghana, improved its performance in 2022 by registering a net profit after tax of Gh¢123.89 million, despite the harsh economic conditions both internally and externally.
The figure represents a 26 per cent growth of the 2021 net profit after tax of Gh¢98.74 million.
Both local and international economies impacted the company’s operating expenses in 2022 when it registered Gh¢362.95 million, up by 55 per cent from last year.
Providing details of the company’s performance at the 54th Annual General Meeting in Accra, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, the Board Chairman of GOIL PLC, Reginald Daniel Laryea said GOIL increased its number of stations by four per cent.
The company’s fuel sales grew by 21.4 per cent during 2022 compared to the previous year.
Revenue for 2022 was Gh¢22,000,243,000 compared to Gh¢8,437,994,000 in 2021.
The company’s overall market share grew from 15.32 per cent in 2021 to 20.11 per cent in 2022.
The company continued to dominate the bunkering market in Ghana, increasing its market share from 60 per cent in 2021 to 73 per cent in 2022.
Mr Laryea noted that the company also made significant investments in the supply of quality products and services to the mines.
“GOIL increased its market share in the mining industry, expanding its sales volume from 49.2 million litres in 2021 to 59.2 million litres in 2022,” he revealed.
He added that the company rejuvenated the Non-Fuel business which is allowing other businesses to operate and the forecourt of the stations including GoCafes and Lubebays.
GOIL declared a dividend of Gh¢0.056 per share amounting to Gh¢21, 944,335.00 for shareholders.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Group CEO and Managing Director of GOIL PLC, Kwame Osei -Prempeh, has apologised to customers who went to their service stations in parts of the country but could not get petrol (Ron 95) to buy.
He rendered the apology at the company’s 54th Annual General Meeting held at Labadi in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The apology followed a question by one of the shareholders who wanted to know why there was a shortage of Ron 95 at some of GOIL’s stations.
Responding to the question, Mr. Osei Prempeh said they were in control of the situation, adding, “We have enough stock of Ron 95 (petrol) but due to challenges at the loading point, we couldn’t load much.”
According to him, the issues were resolved on Tuesday and “as of today (Wednesday), we have started loading to all our stations.
“Our normal supply to the market is about 2.4 million litres, but we’re increasing it to 2.5 million litres to the market,” he stated.
Describing the company’s Ron 95 as the best, Mr. Osei Prempeh said other companies are selling Ron 91 under different names but GOIL’s Ron 95 is the best and most affordable.
He, thus, urged Ghanaians to continue to patronise the services of GOIL.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
European leaders looking to tackle climate change should look to U.S. policy and “let the market work” to avoid driving companies away with prescriptive regulations, ExxonMobil Corp. Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods has said.
“I think it’s a huge mistake to be picking winners and losers and focusing on specific technologies,” Woods told the CEO Norway’s Wealth Fund, Nicolai Tangen, on his podcast.
“Instead, we should be looking more broadly at letting the markets figure out which solutions provide the most emissions reductions for the lowest cost.”
Europe has been working with a greater sense of urgency since the Biden administration last year passed its Inflation Reduction Act, with $370 billion in tax subsidies to cut carbon emissions.
The package is turbo-charging interest in carbon capture and storage technologies, which for years have been considered too expensive and prone to failure.
Exxon, which has pledged to spend $17 billion through 2027 on low-carbon initiatives, is among the companies ramping up plans to capture emissions.
“Carbon capture is going to play a really important role. It is a technology that exists today. It’s one that we have a lot of experience in,” Woods said. “Think carbon capture and storage, think hydrogen, think biofuels, all of those recognized by credible third parties are going to be needed as part of the solution.”
While other oil majors are looking to develop wind farms and solar parks, Exxon is focused on technologies that dovetail with the company’s strengths, Woods said.
“At the end of the day, we’re a molecule company, not an electron company.”
Even as it pursues carbon capture and storage technology, Exxon will keep pumping oil and gas, Woods said.
“If we stop producing diesel and gasoline, the world demand doesn’t change. Somebody else will meet that,” he said.
“I stop growing liquefied natural gas and the world burns more coal.”
Norway’s wealth fund will require the companies it invests in to reach net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
It recently voted in favor of a proposal calling for Exxon to adopt a medium-term target to reduce its customer’s emissions — known as Scope 3 — but the demand was rejected by a majority of shareholders.
Source:worldoil.com
The Board of Ghana National Gas Company has embarked on an inspection tour of various ongoing projects at Atuabo in the western part of Ghana.
The purpose of the tour was to assess the progress of these projects and ensure that they were on track.
The tour began with a visit to the chief of Atuabo, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, who is also a Board Member, and later proceeded to the gas lounge to inspect the progress of the project.
The delegation visited the cutting-edge Trauma Center.
The Centre, when completed, would boast advanced facilities including an operation theatre, 16 regular ward beds, eight VIP beds and four beds for the High Dependency Unit.
The facility is designed to provide comprehensive care for major traumatic injuries, not only for residents but also for referral cases from neighbouring countries.
The team also visited the ongoing soap-making factory in Atuabo, which is an innovative project aimed at empowering women in the communities of Asemda, Anokye and Atuabo.
The inspection concluded at the Gas Processing Plant (GPP) where the team assessed the operations of the plant after a temporary maintenance shutdown.
The board members, namely Stephen Sumani Nayina, Delphine Dogbegah, John Darko, and Nana Owusu Ansah Ababio were impressed with the GPP’s performance after the maintenance works.
They assured the engineers of their commitment to supporting all its operations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Nigerian National Industrial Court has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress from embarking on their planned protest scheduled today, Wednesday, June 7, 2023 over the removal of fuel subsidies.
According to local reports, the presiding judge, Justice Olufunke Anuwe ordered that there should not be a strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated June 5, 2023.
The court, in addition, ordered that the defendants be served immediately with the processes in the suit, the Motion on Notice and the order of the court.
The court further fixed the matter on June 19 for a hearing.
The Labour Unions are unhappy about the recent removal of the fuel subsidy.
They, therefore, set Wednesday, June 7, 2023, to protest the decision by the new administration.
However, the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, on Monday, sought an order from the court to restrain them from going ahead with the protest.
The applicants argued that the proposed strike action is capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector.
They claim that the strike may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large.
Counsel to FG, Maimuna Shiru also submitted that students of secondary schools nationwide, especially those writing WAEC exams would be affected and that the tertiary institutions that just resumed after their eight months ASUU strike would also be affected.
The application also stated that the strike would affect the health sector amongst other sectors; and above all, the economy of the nation.
Following the court order, the Union, with the Federal Government, reached an agreement to suspend the protest forthwith to enable further consultations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Absa Group has settled on a final position not to fund the controversial Karpowership projects in South Africa, it confirmed last Friday.
Speaking at the banking group’s annual general meeting, chairperson Sello Moloko cut short a question posed by an activist organisation to confirm that Absa would not be funding the Turkish company’s emergency gas-to-power projects.
“We are not involved in the funding of Karpowership,” Moloko said. “That is a simple and a straight answer from us.”
The bank has previously engaged in funding talks with Karpowership and has previously insisted that any potential financing arrangement with Karpowership would be subject to independent legal, technical, environmental, insurance and reputational due diligence processes.
Leanne Govindsamy, head of the corporate accountability and transparency programme at the Centre for Environmental Rights, said Absa had been noted in an unredacted version of a recent Karpowership application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.
“We understand that Absa, together with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, will finance Karpowership South Africa through debt and equity loans which have an 11-year term,” Govindsamy said.
In 2021, reports suggested that Absa, Investec and the Development Bank of SA had emerged as possible financiers.
Absa CEO Arrie Rautenbach would not be drawn on why the bank’s name appears in documents.
“We are not involved,” he said, adding: Of course, as part of the original processes, there were possibilities that we would have considered this funding of financing, but we’ve made the decision clearly not to get involved. So I think that’s the final position on this.
Karpowership was named a preferred bidder in government’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme in 2021. It was to provide over 1 200MW of power from floating gas-power vessels located at three of South Africa’s ports – Richards Bay, Saldanha and Coega.
However, the project has faced a number of challenges, including criticism of its expense over a 20-year period, and refusal of its environmental authorisation for the three vessels. Karpowership has been given a second opportunity to submit its Environmental Impact Assessment reports for authorisation. Government is now also in discussions about shortening the contract period to between five and 10 years.
Source: News24.com
Lower crude oil prices, Western sanctions and European push for energy independence combined to shave 36% off Russia’s oil and gas tax collection for last month, compared to a year ago, Bloomberg reports, citing the Russian Finance Ministry.
Crude oil and oil products, which accounted for some 75% of Moscow’s total hydrocarbon revenues in May, saw a 31% drop in budget proceeds for Moscow compared to a year ago based on calculations made by Bloomberg using Finance Ministry data. Bloomberg notes that Russian Urals crude was selling for an average of $53.34 per barrel in May.
Natural gas tax revenues also shed 46% last month, compared to a year ago, while tax income from the collection of tariffs on natural gas exports shed 81%.
In April, Reuters reported that Russia’s budget revenues from oil and gas had fallen by 64% year-on-year, and by 5.9% month-on-month due higher subsidies to oil refineries.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, in the wake of the implementation of the G7’s price cap policy on Russian crude, Moscow’s oil revenues fell “substantially” compared to pre-war levels.
From January to March this year, the Treasury Department said the Russian federal government’s oil revenues had dropped over 40%, falling to 23% of the budget–down from 30-35% of the budget prior to launching the war on Ukraine.
“Russian exports have continued to flow, contributing to global oil market stability. Even as global oil prices have remained stable, the price of Russian oil has fallen significantly—driving down the Kremlin’s revenue,” the Treasury Department said in a statement.
“Immediately after the invasion, Russia received windfall profits on an oil price spike created by its war in Ukraine. But today, the price cap policy is taking that windfall off the table, which allows for low- and middle- income countries to purchase oil while at the same time making it increasingly challenging for Russia to finance its aggression,” the statement continued.
Reuters noted on Monday that Moscow has recorded a budget deficit of around $42 billion in the first four months of this year amid soaring spending on the war in Ukraine, combined with falling energy revenues for war-time coffers.
Source: Oilprice.com
The Energy Commission, the technical regulator for electricity, natural gas and renewable energy, last Thursday, sensitised officers of Prisons Headquarters in Accra, Ghana’s capital, on Efficiency and Conservation of Energy at their offices and homes.
The presentations covered the use of energy-efficient lamps, identifying efficiency labels and appliances, the use of electronic lighting controls and best practices to help save energy.
In a presentation by Mr. Kennedy Amankwah, Deputy Director for Energy Efficiency and Regulations, he took the officers through some dos and don’ts.
He advised them not to leave fridges connected to power open, stating that when fridges are left open, they draw air from outside and convert it to heat, thereby, making the fridge use more power.
He also advised them not to put fridges in cabinets as well as placing them directly under the rays of the sun.
Mr. Samuel Frimpong, from the Public Affairs, Energy Commission, encouraged the officers to iron their dresses in bulk instead of ironing in bits.
Samuel Frimpong addressing the Prisons Officers
He also advised them not to combine ironing with other activities such as watching football.
He advised the officers to conserve energy by switching off gadgets they would not use to save money.
Mr. John Adjei, Manager of Energy Efficiency Regulations, in a presentation on energy audit, urged the officers to avoid leaving their fully-charged mobile phone and laptop chargers in the socket with the power still on.
The Chief Operations Officer at the Prisons Headquarters, DDP Francis Hargbe, in his closing remarks, expressed his profound gratitude to the delegation from the Energy Commission for the gesture and stated that the education on energy conservation and efficiency was timely.
DDP Francis Hargbe
He entreated officers to spread the word to colleagues and loved ones to help secure energy and save costs.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana has blocked Norwegian oil and gas firm, Aker Energy, from using an old FPSO it acquired for US$35 million over ten years ago for the Pecan Field development offshore the West African nation.
The oil firm wanted to charge Ghana US$1.7 billion for ten years.
This means annually, Ghana would pay US$170 million.
The figure was contained in the Plan of Development (PoD) submitted by Aker Energy to Ghana’s Ministry of Energy a few weeks ago.
However, the cost of the FPSO struck the Energy Ministry and rejected it.
According to sources within the Energy Ministry, the sector Minister indicated to Aker Energy’s CEO, Kadijah Amoah, that the country could not afford the expensive FPSO and directed them to rather go to the market and open a tender for FPSO that is more competitive.
Last week, the CEO of Aker Energy, Kadijah Amoah, and some officials were at the ministry to submit their revised PoD.
Checks from the ministry indicated that Aker Energy CEO told the Minister that they had addressed all the issues raised.
According to the source, the Ministry is currently studying the document to confirm if all the issues had been addressed as stated by the CEO.
The price of the FPSO had been the subject of concern by Civil Society Groups working in the extractive sector, anti-corruption and good governance.
In a post sighted on Facebook, Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh wrote: “Yesterday, Officials of Aker Energy were at the Ministry of Energy to submit an updated Plan of Development (PoD) in respect of the Pecan Field as a result of a review of the one submitted on 14th April 2023.
“The Ministry of Energy remains committed to the judicious exploitation of our hydrocarbon resources and will continue to ensure sound investor relations,” his post concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Stichting Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion for Africa (CEI Africa) announced its intention to award three results-based financing (RBF) grants for a total of up to USD 7.3M to Kenyan green mini grid (GMG) developers, Renewvia, Kudura and PowerHive, for the creation of approximately 21,110 green mini grid connections in underserved communities in northern and south-western Kenya.
Renewvia Energy Kenya Ltd (Renewvia) was awarded an RBF grant of up to USD 4.2M to unlock approximately 14,000 new connections, providing electricity access to a network of refugee camps in the area of Kakuma, a town in the far northern region of Turkana County.
The resulting project, an expansion of their existing generation plant and power lines, promises to be the largest solar mini grid for any community in East Africa, serving a total of 19,000 customers from a 2.4 MW solar power plant with 6 MWh of battery storage.
Renewvia has successfully deployed mini grids on islands in Lake Victoria, in the semi-arid northern areas of Kenya, and all over southern Nigeria, serving over 7,500 customers. They have also developed commercial sites in Kakuma, Kenya, for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Program. KUDURA Power East Africa Ltd (KUDURA), an energy utility company operating renewable mini grids serving rural off-grid communities in East Africa, was awarded an RBF grant of up to USD 2.8M to unlock 5,909 connections, also in Turkana County.
The company is operating 11 GMG sites in Busia County, serving over 4,000 customers across 16 communities and is currently constructing another 21 mini grids in Turkana. The expansion is co-funded by RVE.SOL S.A. (Portugal) and InfraCo Africa (UK).
PowerHive East Africa Limited was awarded an RBF grant of up to USD 300,000 to unlock approximately 1,202 connections in rural south-western Kenya. PowerHive, a technology venture that partners with utilities and independent power producers to provide access to mini grid electricity for rural homes and businesses, has already installed 20 mini grids with a generation capacity of 890 kW.
“I’m very proud of our Kenyan team’s achievements to date,” said KUDURA’s CEO Vivian Vendeirinho. “Despite a regulatory set-back for our planned scale up in Busia County, our team rallied to turn this set[1]back into a massive growth opportunity. With close cooperation of the Turkana County Government, we’ve identified a much larger pipeline of rural consumers with a significant social and commercial need for clean energy.”
“The advent of the CEI Africa Kenya funding window was perfect timing for us. The detailed technical support received from the GreenMax and Persistent teams has resulted in a compelling investment case for our next equity round and will push our mini grid business to profitability ahead of our 5-year plans,” added Vendeirinho.
“We are thrilled to partner with CEI Africa to make further progress towards meeting the massive demand for reliable and affordable energy in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement,” said Renewvia’s Director of African Project Development Douglas Cox. “We look forward to seeing what the highly innovative refugees and host community members in this area do with our electricity.”
“On behalf of CEI Africa, we are delighted to support expansion of energy access in the remote areas of northern and south-western Kenya,” said GreenMax CEO Clifford J. Aron. “Electricity is a cornerstone of economic development and companies like Renewvia, Kudura and PowerHive are on the front line of electrifying underserved counties in Kenya, thus supporting the government’s target of universal electrification.”
The three RBF grant awards are pursuant to fulfillment of certain conditions precedent agreed to between CEI Africa, Renewvia, Kudura and PowerHive, respectively, which includes, among others, the execution of a Grant Agreement. The RBF grant funding will be disbursed upon completion of new electricity connections.
Petrosol Ghana Limited, one of the indigenous Ghanaian Oil Marketing Companies (OMC), has adjusted its pump prices for both petrol and diesel across its service stations marginally, effective Saturday, June 3, 2023.
This follows the upward movement of the US currency dollar and the rising cost of finished products on the international market.
According to a release on Saturday, both petrol and diesel now sell at Gh¢12.19 per litre at their pumps.
During the first pricing window which ended on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Petrosol sold both petrol and diesel at Gh¢11.99 per litre.
This means that both petrol and diesel went up by 20 pesewas.
Prices of finished products for petrol had been between US$790.45 and US$828 per metric tonne while diesel prices had been between US$683 and US$691 per metric tonne for the past two weeks.
Crude oil prices had also been between US$70 and US$76 per barrel for the past two weeks.
He said in most cases, the Commission relied on the services of the Water Resources Commission but said “Because of the huge task at the Water Resources Commission, it takes time before we receive results of our test. Also, it comes with a cost.”
Dr Ackah said the establishment of the water laboratory would ensure that complaints from consumers are resolved expeditiously.
“We want to be responsive in terms of performing our mandate and ensuring that we balance the interest of consumers and utilities,” he said.
Unlike electricity which is regulated, Dr Ackah noted that the water sector is not, stating that his outfit is, therefore, collaborating with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to come out with a legal framework to regulate the sector.
He commended the commission’s water department and was hopeful that with the establishment of the laboratory, their work would be improved.
Commenting on the facility, the Director for Water Services & Performance Monitoring at PURC, Ing. Emmanuel Fiati, said the facility would enable them to do several tests including turbidity, colour content and PH of the water.
He added that the facility would help them speed up the resolution of complaints and guarantee the quality of water supply to consumers.
BPA board members on site to inspect progress of work
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
