Nigeria: TCN To Deploy Software To Check Frequent Grid Collapse
Nigeria’s power transmission company, TCN, has hinted at plans to acquire a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to check the frequent collapse of its grid and energy rejection by power distribution companies.
The West African nation has been experiencing blackouts for some time now as a result of the constant collapse of the country’s grid.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of TCN, Ekere Nsima gave the hint during a visit by the board to the TCN warehouse and some substations in Lagos.
SCADA system is software used to monitor and control an electrical grid system based on information collected from substations within the system.
Mr. Nsima said when grid collapse became rampant, the board set up an Ad-hoc Committee to look into the matter.
“I am the Co-chair of the committee, and we went round. We understood that the issue of grid collapse and liability is complex.
“I can tell you the fault is not from TCN. We have seen what the issues are; a lot from Generation Companies (GENCOs) and DISCOs,” he said.
According to him, most times, when energy is transmitted to them, much of the power will not be used and this affects the frequency which ultimately impacts negatively the grid.
“When the DISCOs were given to the private sector if you recollect, there were some investments they were supposed to make within a certain period to enhance their operation, unfortunately, they didn’t.
“Also, right now, because they didn’t make the investments, they are not able to distribute the power they get today from generation and transmission.
“The SCADA will help to ascertain how much is being generated and transmitted. They will stop blaming us and Nigerians will see it themselves.
“So, TCN is in the process of installing a SCADA system and we know that once this is in place and deployed, it will help to get substance with grid collapse and liability,” he said.
During the visit, the chairman expressed happiness with the condition of equipment at the Ojo warehouse and its Lagos-West substations in Ayobo and Alagbon.
“With what we have seen here and what TCN is doing, our wheeling capacity is gradually improving.
“But we have to make sure that the generating companies are generating enough, and we also have to make sure that the DISCOs can distribute.
“So, even if TCN carries enough power and wheels enough power if the distribution companies are not in a position to receive this power and distribute it to consumers, we still have problems.
“We are appealing to DISCOs and GENCOs to step up their game, work on their infrastructure and improve on their capacities to take power so that they can distribute and let Nigerians enjoy some level of stability,” he said.
At the Ojo warehouse, Mr Chris Okonkwo, the General Manager, Equipment Maintenance, took the Board of Trustees of the company to inspect newly purchased equipment that had not been distributed to substations.
Okonkwo said after auditing, the TCN had about N89 billion worth of equipment in the warehouse in 2021.
He said with the procurement of more equipment in 2022, the value of the equipment would be more than that.
At the Lagos-West substation in Ayobo, Mojeed Akintola, the General Manager, of Transmission, TCN, said the substation could wheel out 1,050 megawatts.
Mr Akintola said the substation was supplying three distribution companies which included Eko Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric and some parts of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya Leading In Use Of Renewable And Clean Energy In Horn Of Africa
Kenya has been ranked top in the use of renewable and clean energy in the Horn of Africa, helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) dubbed ‘Clean Energy Transitions in the Greater Horn of Africa,’ says Kenya has made massive investments in renewable and clean energy among the eight countries surveyed.
In the process, it has helped to reduce the emission of carbon and other harmful gasses.
“The main goal has been to ensure it produces clean energy that is affordable to all,” says the report released last month.
Renewable energy means energy from sources that are not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power. Clean energy refers to energy generated from recyclable sources without emitting greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases are those in earth’s atmosphere and are known for trapping heat. They let sunlight pass through the atmosphere, but they prevent the heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere.
The IEA is supporting evidence-based energy policy-making in Africa with the aim of achieving affordable and clean energy, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.
IEA is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organisation established in 1974 that provides policy recommendations, analysis, and data on the global energy sector.
Its recent focus has been on curbing carbon emissions and reaching global climate targets, including the Paris Agreement. The 31 member countries and 11 association countries of the IEA represent 75 per cent of global energy demand.
These include ensuring universal access for all, promoting increased energy security and affordability, and accelerating the development of clean energy systems across Africa, through a sustainable and accelerated regional energy system transformation.
The report says energy consumption in the region has grown at the rate of three per cent annually over the last decade. Even then, the report says, the region has continued to remain energy-deprived.
“Half the region’s population lacks access to electricity and only one in six people have access to modern cooking fuels,” says the report.
Syrine El Abed, the IEA Africa programme officer, said: “Kenya has one of the highest access rates in sub-Saharan Africa, while other countries lack centralised grid infrastructure altogether.”
Energy consumption
“Total energy demand in the region was 120 Mtoe (million or mega tonnes of oil equivalent) in 2020, less than the combined energy consumption of Belgium and the Netherlands but with 10 times the number of people,” Abed said.
The study was carried out in eight countries of the greater Horn of Africa region – Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
The report said most of Kenya’s electricity (more than 80 per cent) is generated from renewable energy sources.
Kenya has increased access to power from 32 per cent of households in 2013 to 75 per cent in 2022. The access rate in urban areas is 100 per cent and 65 per cent in rural areas under the project that was started by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013.
Kenya is ranked the eighth largest geothermal power producer in the world and is home to the single largest geothermal power plant, the 280MW Olkaria (IV) plant.
The country also has a wind power potential of about 3,000MW with Lake Turkana wind power being the largest wind power generating plant in the continent, producing over 310MW to the grid. Another 172MW of solar energy has been added to the grid.
Most modern energy demand is met through oil products, largely for transport, and electricity, largely in households and industry.
The region’s power sector has doubled its output over the past decade, and is one of the world’s most renewable systems today, with over 85 per cent of the generation coming from renewables.
“Large hydropower projects in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya dominate the power mix in the region today. The region has massive, under-utilised potential for solar, wind, and geothermal as well,” states the report.
Source: standardmedia.co.ke
UK Unveils Europe’s Largest Energy Storage System
Europe’s largest battery energy storage system by megawatts per hour was on Monday officially brought online on, marking a new era in power diversification in the UK.
Harmony Energy Income Trust, which invests in battery energy storage assets in Britain, unveiled its first portfolio project of 196 MWh in Pillswood, East Yorkshire – which uses Tesla technology to store energy.
The Pillswood project employs Tesla 2-hour Megapack technology systems and has the capacity to store up to 196 MWh of electricity in a single cycle – the equivalent capacity to power around 300,000 UK homes for two hours.
The project developed by Harmony Energy Limited and managed by Tesla, is set to boost the UK in replacing coal and gas power stations with renewable power sources.
The facility, which has been delivered ahead of schedule, was initially intended to become fully operational by March 2023.
London-listed Harmony, based in Yorkshire, has also been given the green light to build New Zealand’s largest solar farm in Waikato on the upper North island, which will generate enough energy to power 30,000 homes.
“Battery energy storage systems are essential to unlocking the full potential of renewable energy in the UK,” director of Harmony Energy Advisors, Peter Kavanagh, said in a statement.
“These projects are not supported by taxpayer subsidy yet can offer shareholders attractive returns in a variety of market conditions.”
Harmony Energy Income Trust has five battery energy storage systems currently under construction, which are all expected to be up and running by October next year.
By: CityAM
Qatar And China Make History With 27-Year LNG Supply Deal
Qatar’s state firm QatarEnergy signed on Monday the longest-term contract in the history of the LNG industry in a deal to supply LNG to Chinese state energy giant Sinopec for 27 years.
QatarEnergy will supply China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) with 4 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG to China from the North Filed East (NFE) expansion project, just as global competition for LNG intensifies amid a European rush to secure non-Russian gas supply.
“This is the first long-term SPA from the NFE project to be announced, and marks the longest gas supply agreement in the history of the LNG industry,” said Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy.
Qatar has traditionally preferred long-term supply deals with customers, at which Europe balked earlier this year. But more recently, even European companies have started negotiations for longer-term supply with LNG providers.
China, for its part, is looking to secure LNG to avoid more spot buying amid uncertainties over the Asian spot prices in the coming years.
The sale and purchase agreement (SPA) also represents the first long-term LNG offtake agreement from the NFE Expansion project. Qatar’s North Field East and North Field South (NFS) projects are expected to come online in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Qatar announced last year the world’s largest LNG project, which is set to raise its LNG production capacity from 77 million tons per annum (mmtpa) to 110 mmtpa.
The Gulf gas and oil producer also plans another expansion phase at the North Field, the world’s largest natural gas field, which it shares with Iran. The second expansion phase will be the North Field South Project (NFS), set to further increase Qatar’s LNG production capacity from 110 mmtpa to 126 mmtpa, with an expected production start date in 2027.
Source: Oilprice.com
Russia: ATOMEXPO2022…Experts Discuss Green Energy Transition
Rusatom Service and NovaWind have held a roundtable discussion on ‘Diversification of Solutions for the ‘Green’ Energy Transition’ as part of the ATOMEXPO 2022 International Forum in Sochi, Russia.
The speakers included E. Salkov, General Director, Rusatom Service; G. Nazarov, General Director, NovaWind; as well as D. Klyapovsky, Acting Director, Department of Machine Building and Investment Engineering, Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade; D. Klyapovsky, Acting Director of the Fuel and Energy Machinery Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; M. Gubanov, Head of the Energy, Housing and Public Utilities Sector, Department of Industry Evaluation, Corporation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic; A. Zhikharev, Director of the Association for the Development of Renewable Energy; A. Konyukhov, General Director, Power Machines; J. Nutt, Managing Director, Delph Engineering Consulting (South Africa); Hoang Nguyen, Energy Investment Director, Saigon Asset Management (Vietnam) and others.
Irina Gaida, an expert at the Center for Energy Transition and ESG, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, was the moderator of the roundtable discussion.
The participants discussed prominent issues of the green energy transition such as the rapid development of renewable energy and the growth of its proportion in the energy mix of countries in the light of combating climate change; the future of renewable energy against a backdrop of a shortage of generation capacities; transition risks in a time of green energy stagnation; and opportunities for evading the energy crisis altogether.
“We are viewing manufacturers of hydropower generators for small hydropower plants, power electronics, and software as a window of opportunity: for instance, we have our competencies in small HPP equipment, which opens horizons for filling a new niche,” said Evgeny Salkov, General Director of Rusatom Service, in his address.
“Redistribution of export-import traffic unlocks major opportunities for the export of Russian technology. Markets, where RES potential is not yet utilized to the fullest, can view NovaWind as a reliable partner with strong competencies in project development, which has in-house manufacturing and operation capacities,” said Grigory Nazarov, General Director of NovaWind.
“We are making progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving a reasonably balanced power mix.
“However, work in this area must be adjusted to achieve greater import substitution of equipment and look for new partners in markets outside Europe,” noted Alexey Zhikharev, Director of the Association for the Development of Renewable Energy.
“Development of RES-based distributed generation in remote and isolated regions in the Far East and the Arctic can become a key area of diversification for green energy transition solutions in our country.
“This vector is laid down in all industry and macro-regional documents on strategic planning, and it sparked vivid interest in the business community.
“FEDC aids in implementing investment projects in the local energy sector and is actively involved in developing additional government incentives for this industry,” commented Maksim Gubanov, Head of the Energy, Housing and Public Utilities Sector, Department of Industry Evaluation, Corporation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic.
John Nutt, Managing Director of Delph Engineering Consulting, noted: “Many African countries, including South Africa, face power shortages, and power supply is often unstable due to system faults (power failures) and scheduled rolling blackouts.
“A transition to RES may become a vector of power system development.”
Aleksandr Konyukhov, General Director of Power Machines, said: “Power Machines are ready to fill the niche of a technologically independent manufacturer of wind turbines with up to 5 MW capacity, which was left empty after pseudo-localised European manufacturers left the market.
“This is a complementary product for Power Machines, a power machinery company, and we can rapidly launch its production. We are currently evaluating demand and considering possible partners for implementing this project.”
Roundtable participants evaluated the proportion of low-carbon power by 2030-2035 and discussed current barriers to the development of green power.
Based on this discussion, key factors limiting the development of green power include long payback periods, fierce competition and “expensive” money for investors.
An online survey showed that in the audience’s opinion, the share of RES in the global energy mix will experience substantial growth in the next 10-15 years.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Russia And Burundi Look Forward To developing Nuclear Energy Projects
Russia and Burundi have signed a roadmap for establishing a dialogue in the sphere of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The document was signed on the sidelines of the XII ATOMEXPO-2022 International Forum by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of ROSATOM, and Ibrahim Uwizeye, Minister for Water Resources, Energy and Mines of the Republic of Burundi.
The roadmap defines concrete steps by the sides in 2022-2024 for the assessments of the prospects for nuclear generation in Burundi and the implementation of projects in the field of non-energy applications of nuclear energy in the country.
The parties plan to organise technical tours and seminars, develop plans for education and personnel training, as well as joint activities for shaping public opinion in the field of nuclear energy.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Rosatom, Zimbabwe Sign Agreement To Develop Human Resources For Peaceful Uses Of Nuclear Energy
Russia and Zimbabwe, on Monday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in training and skills development in the field of nuclear energy in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the XII ATOMEXPO-2022 International Forum currently ongoing in Sochi, Russia.
Mr. Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM, initialed on behalf of Russia while Honourable Amon Murwira, Minister for Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe, signed on behalf of his country.
The documents are creating solid framework conditions for cooperation in this key area for the development of the Zimbabwean programme of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
In particular, specific steps are envisaged to train human resources for the Zimbabwean nuclear industry.
Efforts would be made to develop interaction between specialised educational institutions, including the organisation of joint short-term programmes, teacher training, the development of educational and scientific literature and student exchange
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
ROSATOM Director General Opens ATOMEXPO2022 In Sochi (Photos)
The Director General of Rosatom, Russian state atomic energy corporation Mr. Alexey Likhachev on Monday opened the twelve edition of the ATOMEXPO 2022 in Sochi.
The two days event which started on Monday is expected to end on Tuesday, 21st November 2022.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Director and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy at the International Atomic Energy Agency Mikhail Chudakov.
The ATOMEXPO 2022 International Forum is a major event in the international nuclear industry.
It is the largest exhibition and business platform for discussing the current state of the nuclear industry and setting future trends. The event has brought together executives from the key companies working in the global nuclear industry, government agencies, international and non-commercial organizations, and leading experts.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: Top Two Ghanaian Journalists Attend ATOMEXPO2022 In Russia
Russia’s leading atomic energy agency, Rosatom, invited two top Ghanaian energy reporters to attend the ATOMPEXPO2022 which is taking place in Sochi, from Monday, November 21 to Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
The invitation was issued by the Russian nuclear power agency, Rosatom’s office, in Africa to Michael Creg Afful, editor of energynewsafrica.com and Emmanuel Aboagye -Wiafe, host of Energy 101 on Accra-based Asaase Radio.
The two journalists are among a couple of journalists who were invited from Africa to attend this year’s programme.
Michael Creg Afful is a specialised energy reporter and two-time Energy Reporter of the Year at the Ghana Energy Awards organised by the Energy Media Group and endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and World Energy Council (WEC).
Michael Creg Afful is a Strategic Communication Specialist while Emmanuel Aboagye Wiafe, host of the Asaase Radio Energy 101 programme, holds a Master’s in Petroleum Management.
The two journalists have attended a capacity-building workshop on Nuclear Power organised by Nuclear Power Ghana, the agency spearheading the country’s first nuclear power.
The XII ATOMEXPO2022 is a gathering of nuclear experts and exhibitors from across the world.
The programme is organised biennially.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Algeria: Diesel Cars Banned In Bid To Push Electric Vehicle Models
Algeria has banned the importation of diesel cars or diesel cars made in the country for environmental and regulatory reasons.
Given this, local car manufacturers are required by law to start producing, at least, one range of electric vehicles if they have been trading for five years or more.
When the Algerian government banned imports of assembly line kits two years ago, several car businessmen were successfully prosecuted and jailed for fraud and money laundering.
Those strict importation measures caused a nationwide shortage of cars and led to an unprecedented surge in prices.
There are more than 6.5 million licensed vehicles in Algeria, according to the latest data from the office for national statistics.
At the last count in 2019, World Bank data listed Algeria’s carbon dioxide emissions per capita at 3.98 metric tons; almost half of South Africa’s 7.51 metric tons per capita, but both countries are eclipsed by the US whose carbon dioxide emissions are at an estimated 14.67 metric tons per capita.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Japan: IAEA Review Of Fukushima Water Discharge Progresses
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) task force has carried out a second mission to Japan to review the country’s updated technical plans for the discharge of treated water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.
At the Fukushima Daiichi site, contaminated water – in part used to cool melted nuclear fuel – is treated by the ALPS system, which removes most of the radioactive contamination, with the exception of tritium.
This treated water is currently stored in about 1000 tanks on site. The total tank storage capacity amounts to about 1.37 million cubic metres and all the tanks are expected to reach full capacity in mid to late-2023.
Japan announced in April 2021 it planned to discharge treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi plant into the sea over a period of about 30 years and asked the IAEA to review its plans against IAEA safety standards.
Last week the task force met with plant owner Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Tokyo as part of its second mission to assess safety-related elements of Tepco’s implementation plan.
The updates by Japan to the technical plans for the discharge – made in part due to the feedback provided during the ongoing IAEA safety review process – include changes to the radiological environmental impact assessment prior to the discharge and the associated monitoring programmes.
In the report of the first meeting with Tepco/METI in February this year, the task force, among other points, called for further clarification of Tepco’s characterisation of the treated water that will be discharged.
In reviewing the updated plans last week, the task force noted that Japan had addressed this issue in its amendments.
The IAEA said the task force will continue its consideration of these specific aspects.
“The task force’s findings from its first mission in February 2022 were considered in depth and have been reflected in Japan’s revisions to the plan,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.
“The IAEA will continue its impartial and science-based review of the proposed discharge plan.”
During its latest mission, the task force also visited the Fukushima Daiichi plant to review the progress made in the design and construction of equipment and facilities for the discharge, including the tunnel that is being built to transport the treated water one kilometre out to sea.
“It was vital that the task force saw for themselves the advances made in the construction of the water dilution facility and the undersea tunnel,” said Gustavo Caruso, director of the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Safety and Security and chair of the task force.
“Our visit to see the equipment and facilities to be used for the discharge is essential to further reinforce our understanding of the process as part of our safety review.”
The task force will release a report on its second mission within three months.
The IAEA said it will publish a comprehensive assessment on the safety of the discharge, including all components of the review – technical, regulatory and independent sampling and analysis – prior to the planned release in 2023.
The task force will conduct its next mission to meet with Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority to continue its direct discussions on the regulatory aspects of the discharge from 16 to 20 January 2023.
Source: worldnuclernews.org
Nuclear Energy Generation Will Double By 2050 – IEA Predicts
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that nuclear energy generation across the globe will double by 2050.
According to the latest World Energy Outlook report published by the IEA, at least 30 countries will increase their use of nuclear energy as a part of the “Net Zero Emissions by 2050” scenario.
The IEA claimed that the global energy crisis may become a turning point towards a cleaner and more secure future.
The global energy crisis triggered by Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine is causing profound and long-term changes that could accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and secure energy system, according to the IEA.
“Energy markets and policy have changed significantly because of the Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine not only for the time being, but also for decades to come”, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA said.
“Even with today’s policy settings, the energy world is dramatically changing before our eyes. Governments’ reactions around the world promise to make this a historic and definite turn towards a cleaner, more affordable and more secure energy system.”
The WEO scenario “The Net Zero Emissions by 2050” defines what needs to be done to achieve net-zero emissions worldwide by 2050.
In addition to this scenario, the WEO-2022 considers two others: STEPS and APS. The Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS) represents a path, based on the energy and climate measures taken by governments today, as well as specific policy initiatives that are under development.
The Announced Pledges Scenario (APS) charts the way in which the net zero emissions obligations, announced by governments nowadays, are implemented in time and in full.
The growth in nuclear power generation
The global nuclear output will increase from 2776 TWh in 2021 to 3351 TWh in 2030 and to 4260 TWh in 2050, according to the STEPS scenario.
At the same time, the share of NPPs in the total volume of energy production remains at the level of 10%.
This scenario requires the commissioning of 120 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2030, as well as the addition of another 300 GW worth of new reactors between 2030 and 2050 in more than 30 countries.
In the APS scenario, about 18 GW of new nuclear capacity is added per year over the outlook period, a quarter more than in STEPS.
However, the higher level of electricity demand in this scenario means that the share of nuclear power in the electricity supply mix remains about 10%. In the APS, nuclear generation increases to 3547 TWh in 2030 and to 5103 TWh in 2050.
In the NZE scenario, extension of the service life in the 2020s helps to limit global emissions, and an average annual addition of 24 GW of capacity between 2022 and 2050 more than doubles nuclear power capacity by 2050.
“Significant international efforts are still required to close the gap in levels of investment in clean energy between advanced economies and countries with developing economies,” the report said.
“The continued role of the atom in the electricity relies on decisions to extend the service life of existing reactors and the success of programs to build new ones.”
However, the IEA noted that investment in nuclear power is “returning in fashion” in some countries: “Announcements of lifetime extensions for existing reactors have been made, as part of the response to the current crisis, there is growing interest in the potential for small modular reactors to contribute to emission reductions and energy system reliability.”
Reduced CO2 Emissions
In its STEPS scenario, the IEA assumes that global CO2 emissions will reach a high point of 37 billion tons per year in 2025 and gradually decrease to 32 billion tons by 2050. Full implementation of all climate commitments will lead the world to a safer environment, but there is still a large gap between today’s commitments and the stabilization of global temperature rise at 1.5°C.
In APS, emission will peak in the mid-2020s and decline to 12 billion tons in 2050, resulting in a projected global median temperature rise in 2100 of 1.7 °C.
“Amid the major changes taking place, a new energy security paradigm is needed to ensure the reliability and affordability of energy while emission reduction,” said Fatih Birol.
“That is why, WEO 2022 presents 10 principles that can help the leaders through the period when declining fossil fuel and expanding clean energy systems co-exist, as both systems should function properly during energy transitions to deliver the energy services, which are necessary for consumers. And as the world recovers from the energy crisis, it is necessary to avoid new vulnerabilities arising from high and volatile mineral prices or high concentration of clean energy supply chains.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Energy Ministry Deputy Director ‘Detained’ In Cubicle In Casablanca By Royal Air Maroc For Two Days
A Deputy Director at Ghana’s Ministry of Energy, Dr. Robert Bobby Mawuko Sogbadji, has had the shock of his life travelling by Royal Air Maroc.
Dr. Sogbadji travelled to Egypt to participate in the just-ended Conference of Parties (COP27) and was supposed to return to Ghana on November 17, 2022.
Sadly, his wish to return on the scheduled date was shattered by the airline.
In a tweet sighted by energynewsafrica.com, Dr Sogbadji narrated how bad the airline treated him.
Describing his bad experience with the airline, Dr Robert Bobby M. Sogbadji wrote: “Royal Air Maroc asks me to pay for a flight to get me home, after they prevented me from going to Accra through delays. It’s a terrible service to passengers, especially from black Africa. No efforts to get me to Accra on time except for their airline which departs in 2 days.”
He continued: “Royal Air Maroc delays my flight to Accra from Cairo and has kept me in a cubicle in Casablanca with a new departure date in two days. I’ve no access to my luggage, no clothing and no items to freshen up. I’m living on burgers and fizzy drinks. The staff do not respect black Africans.
“Royal Air Maroc puts me on a flight to depart in two days after delays in Cairo, hence, miss my flight to Accra. Treatment with no respect because of my ECOWAS passport. Transit service attendant threatened me. Oasis counter kept me waiting for 3 hours, while he went home.”
Meanwhile, the attention of the Ghana Airport Company has been drawn to the unfortunate incident.
MY PREDICAMENT WITH ROYAL AIR MAROC
The return From COP27 through Casablanca was terrible as I’m still here not sure if my promised departure day will be fulfilled.
My flight from Cairo (AT271) to Casablanca delayed for two hours, upon arrival in Casablanca, the Accra bound flight had left. I found a flight itinerary on Royal Air France which could get me to Accra the same day but later in the day, but I was told the cost would have to be borne by me.
The Royal Air Maroc Transit desk attendants had a discussion about my passport, upon realizing that it was ECOWAS passport and from sub-sharan Africa, they immediately printed me a ticket which was to depart in two days. (I know this because they requested for my passport before taking a decision and also unknown to them, I could understand the language they spoke-French).
This meant I only get to arrive in Accra on Sunday 20th November, instead of Friday 18th November. Needless to say that I was checked into fly Hotel by Oasis Lounge of AirMaroc, a hotel with cubicles as rooms. It is such an uncomfortable space to stay for two days and two nights. There are two common bathrooms and toilets to be shared with 49 other occupants.
I had requested earlier to be checked into another hotel which could come with a bit of comfort and privacy but that was declined because I needed visa to enable me get put of the airport. I couldn’t have access to my luggage as same valid visa issue applied. For two days and two nights, I wouldn’t have any means of freshening up. I had to pay for my dinner on the first night since the hotel said it was past time to issue dinner voucher.
In my frustration I went back to the Oasis Lounge counter to reason with the attendant to secure a flight to Ghana through Air France. He asked to sit and wait whiles he checked from the transit office.
After three hours of waiting he never returned till a new attendant reported at the counter to start the morning shift. She told me the male staff I spoke to had closed and gone home. “For a moment I thought to myself, what will cause any human being to treat a fellow human being with such little or no respect.” I had not slept the whole night and fatigued.
The morning shift staff directed me to Service Transit Office still in pursuit of either the next available flight which was through Air France or at least access to my luggage, the officer refused, I tried to register my frustration by dropping my back pack on the floor. The staff of the transit office rushed from his desk to intimidate me and started issuing threats, standing with his forehead millimeters away from mine, questioning why I dropped my bag. He emphasised I had no right to be frustrated. I was dragged out from the office to a counter (nothing short of a criminal being hauled by an officer)and I was warned not to return to the office.
I have never been this traumatised my entire life.
So I resulted to serve my “Air Maroc prison sentence” without seeking any way out, with the fear that it might be nasty.
My little observations: the staff were very impolite to especially dark skinned people. They treated us with no respect no matter how polite and humble you came across.
Nothing you say mattered once you are black.
I’ve had to depend on one sandwich and fizzy drink for breakfast, lunch and supper. May I hasten to add that none of these meals served was and is accompanied with drinking water. You drink water at your own cost. The airport has no other healthy food alternatives even if you choose to spend from your pocket.
For two days now, I’ve not been able to take my medication, attend to my personal hygiene of any form nor changed clothes.
Both staff and service of Royal Air Maroc has treated me badly and with utmost disrespect and I can only conclude it’s as a result of my skin colour and the passport I possess. I can never recommend Royal Air Maroc to anyone. You book that flight at your own peril, if the old aircraft doesn’t kill you, the management will. I survived, you may not.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $13 Billion To Modernize And Expand America’s Power Grid
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $13 billion in new financing opportunities for the expansion and modernization of the nation’s electric grid.
Funded by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Grid Resilience Innovative Partnership (GRIP) program and the Transmission Facilitation Program together represent the largest single direct federal investment in critical transmission and distribution infrastructure and one of the first down payments on an over $20 billion investment under the Administration’s Building a Better Grid Initiative.
These federal investments will unlock billions of dollars of state and private sector capital to build transformative projects that increase the reliability of the power grid and modernize it so that more American communities and businesses have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity – helping deliver on the President’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035.
“We are moving swiftly to deliver cleaner, cheaper energy to every American community by building a modern and reliable electric grid,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.
“With nearly 70% of the nation’s grid more than 25 years old, the President’s agenda is making historic investments that will strengthen the nation’s transmission grid to drive down energy costs, generate good-paying jobs, and help keep the lights on during extreme weather events.”
Independent estimates indicate that the U.S. needs to expand electricity transmission systems by 60% by 2030 and may need to triple current capacity by 2050 to accommodate the country’s rapidly increasing supply of cheaper, cleaner energy and meet increasing power demand for electric vehicles and electric home heating and reduce power outages from severe weather.
The funding announced, along with a $2.3 billion program that funds grid resilience investments by States and Tribes to reduce impacts due to extreme weather and natural disasters, are programs under the Building a Better Grid Initiative.
Launched in January 2022, the Building a Better Grid Initiative brings together community and industry stakeholders to identify national transmission needs and is investing more than $20 billion to support the modernization and build out of long-distance, high-voltage transmission and distribution systems that are critical to reaching President Biden’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035 and a zero-emissions economy by 2050.
GRIP Program
The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $10.5 billion across three programs that make up the GRIP program to enhance grid flexibility and improve the resilience of the power system against growing threats of extreme weather and climate change.
The program will deliver projects centered on: Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants ($2.5 billion) fund comprehensive transmission and distribution technology solutions that will mitigate multiple hazards across a region or within a community, including wildfires, floods, hurricanes, extreme heat, extreme cold, storms, and any other event that can cause a disruption to the power system.
Eligible applicants include electric grid operators, storage operators, generators, transmission owners or operators, distribution providers, and fuel suppliers.
Smart Grid Grants ($3 billion) increase the flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the electric power system, with particular focus on increasing capacity of the transmission system, preventing faults that may lead to wildfires or other system disturbances, integrating renewable energy at the transmission and distribution levels, and facilitating the integration of increasing numbers of electric vehicles, buildings using electricity to heat and hot water, and other grid-edge devices. The program is open to domestic entities including institutions of higher education, for-profit entities, non-profit entities, state and local government entities, and tribal nations.
Grid Innovation Program ($5 billion) provides financial assistance to one or multiple states, Tribes, local governments, and public utility commissions to collaborate with electric grid owners and operators to deploy projects that use innovative approaches to transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure to enhance grid resilience and reliability.
The first round of funding announced for GRIP is $3.8 billion for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Concept papers are a required first step in the application process. Concept papers for the Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants and Smart Grid Grants are due December 16, 2022. Concept papers for the Grid Innovation Program are due January 13, 2023.
A public webinar will be held on November 29, 2022, to provide additional information.
Transmission Facilitation Program
The Transmission Facilitation Program establishes an innovative revolving fund to help overcome the financial hurdles facing large-scale new transmission lines, upgrades of existing transmission lines, and, in select states and territories, the establishment of micro grids.
The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorizes DOE, through the program, to borrow up to $2.5 billion to assist in the construction of high-capacity transmission lines with an innovative approach that can spur valuable new lines that otherwise would not get built or increase the capacity of already planned lines.
Under this first solicitation released today, DOE will use capacity contracts to commit to purchasing up to 50% of the maximum capacity of the transmission line. By initially offering capacity contracts to late-stage projects, DOE will increase the confidence of additional investors and customers and reduce the risk of project developers under-building or under-sizing needed transmission capacity projects.
The submission deadline for the first phase is February 1, 2023. A public webinar will be held on November 30, 2022, to provide additional information. Registration required.
Visit the Grid Deployment Office website for additional information and access to the Grid and Transmission Programs Conductor to help identify which financing program is most appropriate for individual projects.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com