Some armed robbers, on Monday, April 11, this year, attacked the Bance Gas filling station in Koforidua in the Eastern Regional capital of Ghana and robbed it of GHc40,000 sales, according to a report by 3news.com.
The report further said that the robbers assaulted one pump attendant and the security officer on duty at the time of the robbery.
The matter had been reported to the Koforidua Regional Police Command, who have commenced investigations into the robbery.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc has assured its customers of quality delivery of service during this Easter season.
While wishing all its customers and Nigerians a safe and memorable Easter celebration, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Engr. John Ayodele, in a message, assured customers across its network of quality service delivery during the Easter break.
“We recognise the fact that the electricity demand always increases during the festive season. We have, therefore, positioned our technical crew to ensure that the allocation we get from the national grid is equitably distributed and that faults are cleared as fast as possible so our customers enjoy an energy hitch-free holiday.”
He also used the opportunity to caution and appeal against harassment of the company’s employees on duty, noting that IBEDC has provided multiple channels and customer care centres through which customers may seek redress.
He, however, advised customers to ensure that their homes and business premises are properly wired and earthed only by licensed technicians to ensure the safety of lives and property.
“It is illegal and dangerous for anyone to trade, live or work near electricity installations or even tamper with them. Motorists are also admonished to avoid drinking under the influence of alcohol and observe traffic rules to prevent collision with electric poles and other accidents,’’ he explained.
The COO encouraged customers to take advantage of IBEDC’s hassle-free channels of payment to pay bills and vend such as Quick teller, transact, Payarena, Jumia, Watu, Buypower and ATM to avoid disconnection during the holiday period.
“Our offices will also remain open during the public holidays from 9 am-3 pm. You can also call our customer care line-0700123999 or email us at [email protected], “he added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused European countries that continue to buy Russian oil of “earning their money in other people’s blood”.
In an interview with the BBC, President Zelensky singled out Germany and Hungary, accusing them of blocking efforts to embargo energy sales, from which Russia stands to make up to £250bn ($326bn) this year.
There has been a growing frustration among Ukraine’s leadership with Berlin, which has backed some sanctions against Russia but so far resisted calls to back tougher action on oil sales.
“Some of our friends and partners understand that it is a different time now, that it is no longer an issue of business and money,” Mr Zelensky told the BBC from his situation room in Kyiv on Thursday. “That it is an issue of survival.”
The president also reiterated calls for more weapons to be supplied to Ukraine, saying they were not getting supplies fast enough to fend off Russia’s assault.
“The United States, the United Kingdom, some European countries – they are trying to help and are helping,” he said. “But still we need it sooner, sooner and faster. The key word is now.”
The Ukrainian leader (R) said his country still desperately needed weapons from the West
Russian troops have in recent weeks pulled back from around Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other central and northern parts of the country – apparently abandoning an attempt to seize all of Ukraine by force.
But there are fears now of a bloody and protracted conflict in the east and south of the country, as Russian President Vladimir Putin refocuses his military campaign there in an effort to seize more territory.
The southern port city of Mariupol – a strategic goal for President Putin – has already been devastated by weeks of Russian artillery bombardment.
President Zelensky told the BBC he thought tens of thousands may have been killed in the city.
“We also have information that as well as those tens of thousands of dead, many have disappeared,” he said.
“We know their documents have been replaced, they were given Russian passports and taken deep into Russia – some to camps, some to other cities. No one knows what is happening to those people. No one knows how many have been killed.”
President Zelensky said 95% of buildings had been destroyed in Mariupol, one of Ukraine’s biggest cities.
Mr Zelensky said the atrocities apparently committed by Russian troops in Mariupol, and in the Kyiv suburbs of Bucha and Borodyanka, had further narrowed the possibility of peace talks with the Russians.
Hundreds of dead have been found in Bucha since it was taken back by Ukrainian forces a little over a week ago, including civilians who were found shot in the head with their hands tied behind their backs, as well as widespread reports of sexual violence.
“Bucha is in the process of closing [the possibilities of peace talks],” President Zelensky said. “It’s not about me – it’s about Russia. They will not have many more chances to speak with us.”
He said he had “experienced the entire spectrum of emotions” when he visited Bucha last week, but ended the day with “nothing but hatred towards the Russian military”.
He accused President Putin and the rest of the Russian army “from top to bottom” of being “war criminals”.
Mr Zelensky defended his leadership in the run-up to the Russian invasion that began in February, when his government urged the Ukrainian people to remain calm.
He said the government had been working in the background to agree deals for weapons and supplies, as well as focusing on avoiding panic that could trigger a run on the banks and destabilise Ukraine’s economy.
“That was what Russia – and not just Russia – wanted, but we didn’t let that happen,” he said. “But we did not expect the full-scale invasion when it happened.”
Ukraine is now facing a renewed attack in the east and south as Russia attempts to carve off more territory, following its 2014 annexation of Crimea.
President Zelensky said the east now represented the “most difficult situation” for Ukraine’s armed forces, “but this is where our most powerful units are concentrated”.
“They can destroy us, but we will answer; they can kill but they will also die,” he said. “I can’t understand for what – I can’t understand why they came.”
Source:BBC
Ghana’s southern power distribution company, ECG, has recorded Gh¢ 8.99 billion ($1,186,142,507.55)cumulatively for both technical and commercial losses for a period of five years under the current administration.
Over the same period, ECG also recorded a collection losses of Gh¢4,125,100,000.
This could best be described as monies ECG collected but was unaccounted for rather than consumer thefts.
In 2017, ECG recorded system losses of 24.25 per cent of the total power distributed to consumers. This translated into Gh¢1,311,942,569.99 in monetary terms.
In 2018, it recorded 24.30 per cent system losses, which translates into Gh¢1,498,361,624.01. The trend of system losses increased from 24.30 per cent in 2018 to 24.68 per cent which translates to Gh¢1,706,179,285.33 in monetary value.
Similarly, in 2020 and 2021, ECG recorded systems losses of 26.20 per cent and 30.31 per cent. This translates to Gh¢2,041,046,339.19 and Gh¢2,438,109,470.47 respectively.
The above figures cumulatively amount to Gh¢8,995,639,288.99.
These figures were contained in a document presented by the Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, during a press briefing on Wednesday, April 13, 2021.
This trend of losses has become a source of concern to many industry players especially power generation companies.
“It has negatively affected the sector’s revenue requirement. As a result, ECG is unable to meet the agreed credit days to pay full invoices on due dates leading to debt compilation,” an industry expert told energynewsafrica.com.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa’s power utilities company, Eskom, has begun tendering processes to lease some of its lands for the development of renewable energy projects.
In December 2021, Eskom first announced plans to lease portions of its land in Mpumalanga to independent power producers of renewable energy.
The tenders were issued last Friday, according to report filed by news24.com.
The land is close to existing power stations in Mpumalanga and, therefore, is close to transmission lines.
This means Eskom will be able to provide a connection to the grid. The lease period is expected to be a minimum of 20 years. The land remains Eskom’s property for the duration of the lease.
During a briefing on stage ‘2’ load shedding, which has returned amid breakdowns at coal-fired power stations, Chief Executive André De Ruyter said the initiative is a “trial,” and there is scope for the initiative to be expanded.
Eskom is targeting 1000 MW of power, but ultimately it could go as high as 4000MW to 5000MW of renewable energy capacity from the country’s coal belt, where coal-fired power stations will eventually be retired, explained De Ruyter.
“This initiative is intended to allow investors accelerated access to our existing grid, and to enable investment in renewable energy next to our coal-fired power stations, to demonstrate our commitment to being part of the just energy transition,” De Ruyter said.
Eskom said that the leasing of the land would assist in providing relief to the constrained electricity system by getting additional generation capacity from independent power producers online.
Potential bidders have until 29 April at 10:00 to make submissions. Bidding documents are available, for free, on Eskom’s website.
Last week, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) launched Bid Window ‘6’ of the renewable energy independent power producer programme to add 2600MW of generation capacity to the grid.
Accessing the documents requires a fee of R25 000. Bid submissions close on 11 August.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has restored power supply to Abeokuta and other communities affected by Tuesday’s tower collapse.
According to Lagos Regional General Manager of TCN, Engr. Gbenga Ajiboye, power was restored to the communities at 5:20 am today, Thursday.
He said though the collapse towers still under repair, the company was able to restore power by enroute the power through another redundant line.
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company had earlier on Wednesday announced collapsed of three towers on the Papalanto Ojere 132kv double-circuit lines.
The incident, according to a series of tweets by the electricity firm on Wednesday, adversely affected Abeokuta transmission sub-station, Ojere and new Abeokuta transmission station at Kobape.
“All 33kv feeders from these two sub-stations will be out until the towers are reconstructed. As such, the entire city of Abeokuta and environs, Ayetoro, Imeko, Owode Egba and Mowe will be experiencing power outage. Power supply will be restored to the affected communities as soon as the towers are reconstructed”, it stated.
However, General Manager, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Engr. Gbenga Ajiboye, revealed that the towers collapsed due to heavy rain of Tuesday.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Kenyan authorities have reportedly cancelled the work permit of a French chief executive of one of the biggest oil marketers in Kenya amid a fuel shortage crisis.
The government is said to have ordered the deportation of Christian Bergeron, the chief executive of Rubis Energy Kenya – a subsidiary of France-based Rubis Group.
The energy regulator had on Tuesday accused some oil marketers of withholding the supply of fuel to the local market and prioritising exports to neighbouring countries.
The regulator said these companies would be punished by restricting the volumes of fuel they will be allowed to import for the next three months.
Kenya fuel companies sell about 65% of their imports to the local market and the rest to neighbouring landlocked Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There has been a major shortage of the commodity in recent weeks across the country, with long queues forming in pump stations.
Kenyan authorities say there is enough stock in the storage facilities.
There is speculation that some marketers have been hoarding fuel in anticipation of a price increase on Thursday when the regulator reviews prices for the next month.
Experts say the current crisis in Kenya has been caused by a delay in disbursing fuel subsidies owed to oil marketers.
Kenya subsidises fuel prices to cushion consumers from higher fuel pump prices.
But oil marketers have been complaining of delays by government to compensate them for the government-subsidised prices they charge consumers.
The government released some of the delayed payments last week.
Source:BBC
As the world debates climate change and whether we should be utilizing/monetizing gas and other natural resources, we must not lose sight that by 2050 nearly quarter of the world’s population (two and half billion people) will be living on the continent of Africa. In particular, the population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2050 (that constitutes a 99% increase) with 60% of the population being under the age of 25.
The statistics are worrying and suggest a war raging between energy access and population growth – the solutions however lie in advanced technology adoption and the proliferation of free Wi-Fi to bolster learning and access to already available resources – but critically in the framework with which projects are developed. This is not beyond the capabilities of the current market players, however the number of IPPs reaching financial close is woefully low and painfully slow and runs the risk of being outpaced by population growth within ten years – yes, Africa’s energy sector is at war against population growth and if the investment community cannot compete, it runs the risk of becoming obsolete.
As always the Africa Energy Forum will focus on project development, bringing stakeholders together to have explicit private sector anchored discussions. However, the framework in which the private sector operates needs to evolve to promote greater stability from the perspective of governmental elections and further changes as political climates evolve and ministerial roles change. Egypt’s sectoral framework has liberated 28GW in only 8yrs and is a model which can be replicated across the continent at varying scales. South Africa’s IPP Office model was widely agreed to be the most successful (and aggressive) renewable energy programme anywhere in the world and again can be replicated across the continent…
Yes, there are many examples that decision makers and stakeholders can draw from and time is running out, but the battle is not yet lost.
Joining us at AEF to make your voice heard and with less 11 weeks to go and nearly 60% of the agenda already closed, over 150 speakers including 8 Ministers of Energy, 10 utilities, 21 development financial institution and over 70 private sector investors, the stage is set for another impactful #aef22 like never before.
Sign up and take part in, Interactive discussions that will focus on crucial topics such as:
Project preparation – How can stakeholders work better together to increase the number of projects coming to a financial close? What are recent successful and failed examples?
Implementing practical solutions for Africa’s utilities – What are the realistic solutions to tackle the financing and modernisation challenges?
COP26 to COP27 – how is the conversation changing – Africa’s voice in the global fight against climate change, and what does Africa want from COP27?
How are commitments made by the development finance community at COP26 being channelled through -what does energy transition funding mean and how is it being deployed?
Gas – Africa’s fuel here to stay – Is there a disconnect between policy and reality? Where will financing come from? Building
Africa as a green hydrogen power house – How much will African countries actually score economically from investing in hydrogen
Integrating Solar and Wind into the Grid – Putting in place distribution infrastructure needed to soak up generation
Industrial and Corporate De-Carbonisation – How are industries and mining sector playing their part in de-carbonising?
Country Spotlights will also bring Ministers and Heads of Utilities from, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Tanzania, Botswana, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique and more to announce real time projects and opportunities for stakeholders to get involved.
“After the Country Project Spotlight: Ghana session we were inundated with investors wanting to meet with us for further discussions. I want to say a big thank you for giving us the opportunity. Since the meeting, six investors have travelled to Ghana for further discussions on development opportunities in RE development,” Anthony Boye Osafo-Kissi, Deputy CEO, Engineering, Bui Power Authority, Ghana
Recent leading experts confirmed for the event include:
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (MP), Minister of Energy, Ghana
E. Honourable Fafa Sanyang, Minister of Petroleum & Energy, The Gambia
Christopher Kirigua, Director General, Public Private Partnerships, The National Treasury, Government of Kenya
Ngozi Beckley-Lines, Director of Projects, Ministry of Energy, Sierra Leone
Mandy Rambharos, General Manager: Just Energy Transition, Eskom, South Africa
Daniel Bargoria, Director General, Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya
Hizkyas Dufera, Special Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Energy (MoWIE), Ethiopia
Make sure you join us at this year’s 24th annual Africa Energy Forum on 21-24 June at Tour & Taxis in Brussels, as we return to our full scale event, catering for all your business development needs.
PSU major Oil India Limited‘s registered headquarter at Duliajan in Assam’s Dibrugarh district is purportedly under a cyber attack which has lead to the company shutting down all its computers and IT systems at the office, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.
The systems have been on shut down since Monday and efforts are on to resolve the issue, OIL spokesperson Tridiv Hazarika said.
“We have been forced to withdraw all our computer system from LAN connection after it came to our knowledge that three to four computers were hit by a virus Monday.”
”No computer at the headquarter now has access to internet connectivity, he said.
“The IT department is yet to ascertain the extent of damage. OIL is working on solving the issue. Previously too OIL faced such problems, but this time it seems to be a major IT-related crisis which will take time to resolve,” Hazarika added.
Nigeria has lost one of their finest energy personalities, Engr. Joe Makoju.
Energy Joe Makoju died on Monday.
Until his death, Engr Joe Makoju held positions such as the Managing Director of NITEL, CEO of PHCN, Managing Director, National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), Group Managing Director Dangote Cement Group, President of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Special Advisor to President Goodluck Jonathan on Electric Power, Board Member of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Member of Presidential Ad-hoc Committee on Review of Electricity Tariff.
He was an active participant in the power sector pre & post-privatisation.
He was also a director at Geregu Power Plc.
He was a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE).
In a tribute, the Association of Power Generation Companies said: “We remember him as a man who had in-depth knowledge of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and contributed his bit to ensure its development.
“He was the MD/CEO at a very crucial & critical time in the life of the sector. He worked tirelessly with men of candour and zeal.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends and pray for the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Dr Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies, said.
On their part, the Board and Management of Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL) noted that the late Engr. Makoju was an icon whose professional life is worthy of celebration even posthumously, because of his noteworthy contributions to the Engineering Society, Nigeria’s Power Sector, other walks of commercial endeavour, and Nigeria as a whole.
“May the Almighty God have mercy on his soul and grant him eternal peace.
“We hope that you accept our assurances of prayers that you and your family would have the fortitude to bear the loss,” Eng. Kola Balogun Chairman, MEMMCOL, said.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
A former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah says he was not perturbed when some staff of the company started protesting and issuing petition letters, demanding the President of Ghana to say goodbye to him after his four years’ contract.
According to him, he made up his mind not to seek an extension of his contract when it ended.
Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah was appointed CEO of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) in 2017.
When he assumed the post in 2017, the company had a transmission network of about 5,207.7km but managed to expand it to 6414km.
Under his leadership, GRIDCo also established a subsidiary called GRIDTel to offer services to telecommunication companies.
Besides these, Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah and his team spearheaded the construction of both the Pokuase and Kasoa Bulk Supply Points which have helped in stabilising the power supply in Accra.
Despite these and other projects executed under his tenure, some staff of the company, in their series of petitions, described him as a non-performer.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with energynewsafrica.com, which delved into his career and public life, Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah said: “They (about the agitations by the workers) didn’t break me.”
He said throughout his public life, he never stayed at a place for long and so when his contract was at its dying embers, he had decided not to seek an extension as he wanted to pursue other interests.
“I’m always looking for new challenges even in my primary school days.
“When the names of the new Board of GRIDCo were released, my name was among but I decided to leave, ” he revealed.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
A former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah, says he was not the type of CEO who sat in the office and always enjoyed the breeze from the air conditioner.
Speaking to energynewsafrica.com in an over an hour’s exclusive, Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah said when he received his appointment in 2017 and started working, there were problems and, therefore, put a team together to tackle the issues.
“When I was at GRIDCo, whenever there was a problem and journalist called me to find out what was happening, I would tell them there were problems but, then, we were on top of the issues and that we’re going to solve the problems because we had not come to give excuses. We came to work to solve problems. And the people who put us there knew that we were capable of solving those problems that was why they put us there,” he stated.
Amoako-Baah, who praised the resilience and zeal of his team, said: “My team members were willing to do everything for us to have solutions to the problems and I raise my heart for them.”
He recalled how he and his team visited the Atiwa forest a couple of times to inspire the engineers who were working to fix a problem with the transmission line.
“I was not the CEO who sat in the office every day. I was visiting the transmission lines that were built from Kumasi. I visited the whole transmission line route. I went to Nayania substation which was built in Bolgatanga, Adubiyile in Tamale and Awomaso,” he said.
GRIDCo has a total transmission network of about 6,414kilometres
Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah with some officials of GRIDCo during a visit to Atiwa Forest to inspect repair works on the transmission line
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s southern Electricity Distribution Company (ECG) has served notice to government institutions and private entities that are owing the company to settle their indebtedness or face disconnection.
“All ECG customers and government institutions including state-owned enterprises will be disconnected by the task force so long as their bills are in arrears as stipulated by PURC regulations. ECG reserves the right to publish the names of customers whose bills are in arrears. Please pay your bills promptly to avoid any embarrassment,” a notice issued by ECG said.
The power distributor encouraged the public to report any act of illegal connection to the nearest ECG office or call the task force via the telephone number 0551444011 for an informant reward of six per cent of the surcharged amount upon confirmation of the crime.
The ECG formed a National Taskforce under its revenue mobilisation unit last year to retrieve monies owed by consumers.
Since then, the Taskforce has been visiting institutions and disconnected power supply to those owing arrears including the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Africa Oil Week has entered into a partnership with the African Energy Commission(AFREC), a part of African Union (AU).
AFREC’s responsibility is to develop the African energy sector for all AU Member states and as part of the Africa Oil Week partnership, AFREC will facilitate a ministerial dialogue at this year’s event, hosted from 3-7 October in Cape Town, South Africa.
“We are pleased to work with Africa Oil Week to facilitate dialogues with all energy players and we look forward to the important conversations’’, says African Energy Commission’s Executive Director, Rashid Ali Abdallah.
“For more than 25 years, Africa Oil Week has brought together governments, oil companies, investors, the exploration community, and service providers. Hence, this partnership is a major breakthrough for Africa Oil Week. Working with African Energy Commission will unlock many possibilities to shape a better future for Africa through impactful engagements on energy and in turn will help to realise our vision of enhancing Africa’s energy development”, says Africa Oil Week’s Vice-President of Energy and Director of Government Relations, Paul Sinclair.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
Source: energynewsafrica.com 
Source: energynewsafrica.com