The European Union’s gas storage facilities have been filled to 80 percent, the bloc’s Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said in a tweet.
The EU had set itself a deadline in October to have its gas storage caverns 80 percent full ahead of the start of the heating season amid greatly weakened energy supply security and reduced Russian gas flows via the Nord Stream 1.
Simson’s announcement follows a similar one made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week, celebrating the achievement.
However, it has come at a price and it will not ensure a sufficient supply for the European Union throughout the winter.
U.S. liquefied natural gas imports were instrumental for the EU’s ability to fill up its storage earlier than its deadline but it has pushed the bloc’s gas bill ten times higher than what the EU normally pays for gas.
Demand reduction is also on the agenda. Earlier this week, the head of Germany’s energy regulator Klaus Mueller said the European Union’s largest economy would need to reduce its gas consumption by at least a fifth in order to have a chance of getting through winter. Even if its gas storage caverns reach a fill level of 95 percent, it would not be enough for three months of consumption, Mueller said.
According to the Bloomberg report about von der Leyen celebrating the early filling of gas storage caverns, the amount in them could only cover between 25 and 30 percent of gas consumption during the winter.
“We will meet the goal before the heating season despite very difficult situation on the energy market, Gazprom’s dirty games around Nord Stream 1 and several member states being already completely cut off from Russian supplies,” Jerzy Buzek, a member of the European Parliament, told Bloomberg.
“Full gas storages will certainly not solve all our current problems, but they do allow European citizens to feel more secure and confident before the coming winter.”
Source:Oilprice.com
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has deployed about 9,000 prepaid meters in the Manya and Yilo Krobo Municipalities in the Eastern Region despite a series of protests by some residents of the area.
The figure is less than the 20,000 prepaid meters the power distribution company has targeted to achieve, and this is a result of legions of skirmishes in the two areas.
The ECG commenced a prepayment meter replacement exercise in the Krobo enclave in May 2022 as part of measures to curtail the continuous accumulation of over five years of unpaid electricity bills by the residents.
The exercise was, however, met with some residents prompting ECG to seek the assistance of engineers from the 49 Engineering Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces (GFA).
Addressing a section of Ghanaian journalists in Somanya on Thursday, 1st September 2022, Managing Director of ECG, Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, observed that despite the challenges that confronted the exercise, a good number of residents have welcomed the prepaid meters.
“We can say that quite a good number have welcomed our efforts and we are well within the 9000 mark of pre-payment meters installation,” Mr. Samuel Mahama said.
Asked which specific towns in the area account for the 9000 meters, Mr. Samuel Mahama said he could not provide the data immediately but said his outfit would make the data available to the press.
Mr. Samuel Mahama, Managing Director of ECG
Asked what steps ECG is going to adopt to achieve its target, Mr. Samuel Mahama said,
“ECG staff are going back to work and more towns are joining the bandwagon. We see us completing this exercise in a very good time and it will help us increase our revenue.”
Mr. Samuel Mahama commended the traditional leaders, opinion leaders in the area, the Municipal Chief Executives and the National Security for their efforts that have contributed to restoring calm in the area.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday departed Abuja for the United States of America to seek global partnerships and support for Nigeria’s recently launched Energy Transition Plan.
Prof. Osinbajo is leading Nigeria’s Energy Transition Implementation Working Group (ETWG) on the US mission with meetings starting from tomorrow-the 1st of September to promote the plan and secure global support from the US government, the private sector, and other development partners.
The ETWG which is chaired by the VP comprises relevant ministers and other top government officials.
Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan officially launched last week at a global virtual event is a homegrown, data-backed and multi-pronged strategy developed for the attainment of 2060 net-zero emissions commitment in 5 critical sectors : Power, Cooking, Oil & Gas, Transport & Industry. Nigeria needs $410 billion to deliver the Transition Plan by 2060.
Among other highlights, the plan needs at least $10 billion per annum above business as usual spending for effective implementation.
At the launch, the World Bank and a renewable energy organization – Sun Africa, pledged a sum of $1.5 billion each totaling an initial $3 billion investment to support the implementation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
While in the United States, Prof. Osinbajo will meet US Vice President, Kamala Harris; US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm; Secretary of Treasury, Janet Yellen, and President of World Bank Group, David Malpass, among others.
The Vice President is also scheduled to speak on Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan at the Centre for Global Development in Washington DC.
The Vice President’s delegation to the U.S. include Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Works and Housing, Raji Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General/CEO for Sustainable Energy for All, Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi. Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Uzoma Emenike will also join the delegation.
The Vice President will return to Abuja early next week.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has officially approved the inclusion of nuclear power technology into the country’s power generation mix.
The move, according to him, is in consonance with the global collective commitment to the sustainable availability of power, and the peaceful exploitation of nuclear energy for the benefit of citizens, to enhance rapid industrialization, and to propel economic growth.
The West African nation’s electricity generation is mainly from hydroelectric, thermal, waste to energy and solar energy sources.
It will be recalled that in 2008, cabinet took a decision to include nuclear energy into the country’s energy generation mix and paved the way for its inclusion into the National Energy Policy and Strategy.
“This led to the establishment of the Ghana Nuclear Power Programme Organisation (GNPPO) to oversee the implementation and coordination of the nuclear power programme. Ghana subsequently declared its intention to pursue a Nuclear Power Programme (NPP) for peaceful purposes in August, 2013, through a letter submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”
A statement issued and signed by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said, “two other key institutions, namely Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) Ghana, an independent nuclear regulatory body, and Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), a project company to take up the role and responsibility as owner-operator, have been established by government.”
“To satisfy all the relevant obligatory technical issues related to the introduction of nuclear power, the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), through its Technical Institute (the Nuclear Power Institute, NPI-GAEC), and with the support from other national bodies, has met all the Phase-1 nuclear infrastructure requirements as recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Milestone’s approach,” it added.
The statement continued that, “ in 2017 and 2019, the IAEA International Peer Review Mission, on the invitation of the country, undertook a review of the status of Ghana’s Phase 1 nuclear infrastructure development, and concluded that Ghana has satisfied all the prescribed studies for government to make a knowledgeable commitment to a Nuclear Power Programme.
Furthermore, the numerous studies and progress of activities undertaken in Phase 1 of the nuclear power programme had been consolidated into the Programme Comprehensive Report (PCR).”
He said, “I, hereby, announce and instruct the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Minister for Energy (MoE), in collaboration with the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, to take all the necessary steps to move the Ghana Nuclear Power Programme Organisation (GNPPO) from the Ministry of Energy to the Office of the President, to enhance proper coordination among the key institutions already established.
Additionally, “GAEC and its technical Institute (NPI-GAEC) will continue to play its supportive role to the GNPPO at the Office of the President following its re-alignment, he added.
The declaration stated further that, the Government of Ghana has adopted the content of the PCR as a reflection of nuclear power infrastructure issues in the country, committed to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, as well as, continue their international cooperation and collaborations and participate in enhancing knowledge in all peaceful applications of nuclear technology.”
It also stated government’s commitment to “continue their transparency, adherence to the strict standards of safety, security, and accountability in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and continue with its efforts to implement the nuclear power programme in the subsequent phases of the programme by using nuclear technology to generate electricity to accelerate national development and industrialisation.”
The National Chairman of the Bulk Tanker Drivers Union in the Republic of Ghana, Clement Ampadu has been beaten to pulp by five police officers from the Mile 7 Police Station in Accra, capital of Ghana.
Mr. Ampadu sustained severe injuries and dislocation at his waist according to medical report.
The incident happened last Friday around John Teye School, a popular area near Achimota.
Narrating his ordeal to enerynewsafrica.com, Mr. Clement Ampadu said he was on his way to the house after close of work on Friday and spotted two tanker trucks packed at Rev. John Teye Memorial Institute Bus Stop.
He said he initially thought of going home but changed his mind and stopped to find out why the drivers had parked the trucks.
He stated that he called one of the drivers on phone only for the driver to say that police petrol team chased them and signaled them to stop for them to inspect their waybills, notably Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF) document and other documents covering the product.
According to Mr Ampadu, the driver indicated that the police officers seized the document in their possession.
This is the police vehicle the officers were using for patrol
He said on hearing the complaint of the driver, he proceeded to where the police officers were to check which Fuel Depot the drivers loaded the product from.
He said when he got to them one of the officers became infuriated and started raining insults on him and called him a foolish man for not greeting them and requesting to see the documents.
He stated that the police officer gave him a dirty slap making him lose control of his mobile phone.
The medical report
He said after picking his phone from the ground and asking him why he slapped him, the other police officers joined and beat him mercilessly.
“One of the officers slapped me six times and said they will kill me,” he claimed
Mr. Ampadu told energynewafrica.com that the officers after beating him mercilessly handcuffed him and sent him to Mile 7 Police station and locked him in the cells.
He said it took the intervention of DSP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Communications at the Ghana Police Service to secure his release.
After his release, Mr. Ampadu said he went to the police station and lodged complaint and was given medical form to go for treatment.
He proceeded to the Amasaman Government hospital where he was admitted for three days.
The medical report issued by the Amasaman Government hospital revealed that Mr Ampadu suffered multiple injuries.
The development has angered the Tanker Driver Unions who have petitioned the Inspector General of Police to act on the excesses of his officers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Electricity Company of Ghana ECG says it will from Thursday commence the implementation of the PURC’s approve tariff announced recently.
The PURC on Monday 15th August 2022 announced a 27.15 % increase in electricity tariff while that of water went up by 21.55%.
In a statement ECG said it has catalogued all unit consumption and the expected cost in a Reckoner which clearly explains how the tariff is applied and billed.
This will be displayed at all ECG districts and customer service centers nationwide to guide customers on their electricity purchases.
ECG assured consumers and stakeholders that it is committed to ensuring the smooth implementation of the new tariff.
A popular hostel in South Odorkor, a suburb of Accra, capital of Ghana has been caught stealing power.
The hostel named Best Crystal Hostel, according to the southern power distribution company, ECG has connected power illegally and consuming electricity freely for the past three years.
In a statement posted on the company’s Facebook page it said the power consumed by the facility illegally for the past three years amounts to Gh¢400,000
It disclosed that its field officers detected the illegality after visiting the premises of the hostel to audit its meter installations.
“The Best Crystal Hostel located in the Greater Accra Region was on Friday, August 26, 2022, disconnected from the national grid for stealing power to the tune of ¢400,000 for three years.
The illegality was detected by the ECG’s field staff who were visiting the facilities to audit meter installations as part of efforts to clamp down on power theft and other illegal activities.”
Notice of surcharge has been issued to the hostel subsequently.
“The facility has been served with a notice by the ECG to be surcharged and sanctioned,” the power distributor said in a statement.
It has also cautioned the public to refrain from such illegal activities to avoid prosecution.
“Costumers and the general public are advised to desist from all forms of illegality to avoid prosecution,” the statement concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Globeleq, the leading independent power company in Africa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), the Sovereign Fund of Egypt for Investment and Development (TSFE), and the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), to jointly develop a large-scale green hydrogen facility within the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
Globeleq, as lead developer and investor, will develop, finance, build, own and operate the green hydrogen project.
It will be developed in 3 phases, totalling 3.6 GW of electrolysers and around 9 GW of solar PV and wind power generation.
The first phase will involve a pilot project using a 100 MW electrolyser, and will initially focus on green ammonia fertilisers, while considering other end-uses of green hydrogen in the medium and longer term, including green fuels.
Globeleq intends to enter into long-term off-take agreements with leading and creditworthy Egyptian and international companies, while supporting their decarbonisation plans.
Capitalising on Egypt’s best-in-class wind and solar PV resource, well-developed infrastructures, and the Egyptian Government’s investment-friendly regulatory framework, Globeleq aims to competitively produce hydrogen for exports and the local market.
Egypt’s unique geographical location, at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and Asia, with about 13% of the global trade flowing through the Suez Canal, puts the country in a position to become a global green energy hub.
Globeleq has been investing in Egypt since 2003 and currently owns the ARC for Renewable Energy S.A.E. 66 MWp solar PV plant located at the Benban Solar Park near Aswan.
Globeleq aims to support the country’s ambitious renewables strategy by developing new solar PV, wind, battery energy storage, seawater desalination and green hydrogen projects in Egypt.
The British Ambassador to Egypt, Gareth Bayley OBE, indicated: “Globeleq is a leading British investor, 70% owned by British International Investment and 30% Norfund, which are respectively the UK and Norway’s development finance institutions. The company has been investing in Egypt for nearly 20 years and we are delighted with the signing of this MOU, which underscores once again the strong relationship between the UK and Egypt. The project also supports both countries’ leadership and ambitions in renewable energy and combating climate change. We look forward to continue working with Globeleq and all the stakeholders involved.”
The Norwegian Ambassador to Egypt, Hilde Klemetsdal, added: “With Globeleq’s ambitious plans, Norway continues to strengthen our investments in green hydrogen in Egypt. This is an example of just the kind of industry solutions that are required for translating the green transition into action. We value our strong cooperation with the Government of Egypt towards the green shift and the fight against climate change.”
Mike Scholey, CEO of Globeleq, said: “Bold and rapid collective action is required to put the world on a sustainable pathway. Egypt is a key country for Globeleq, and we are excited to support the Government of Egypt’s ambitious green agenda and contribute to the fight against climate change.”
Waleid Gamal Eldien, Chairman of SCZONE, mentioned: “The new agreement with Globeleq is a continuation of our commitment to implement Egypt’s vision in the transformation for green economy. The Egyptian government has ambitious energy transition plans, in addition to hosting COP27, and active steps are being taken to make SCZONE a major hub for green hydrogen. We are pleased to partner with Globeleq, one of the major renewable energy companies in the UK and globally, and this partnership reflects the interest of the global entities specialised in investing in such projects as they choose SCZONE as a destination for investment in green fuel projects, to serve the African and international markets.”
Ayman Soliman, CEO of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, commented: “The partnerships we are witnessing are a translation to the state’s integrated strategy to diversify energy sources and localise green hydrogen production with all its components covering upstream and downstream stages, with the aim of transforming Egypt into a regional green energy hub. Our objective is to maximize the use of Egypt’s renewable energy resources in partnership with global specialised developers, whereby the goals and strategy of The Sovereign Fund of Egypt are realised. We are glad to partner with Globeleq as one of the largest British international companies working in the field of new and renewable energy and infrastructure, with a special focus on energy projects in Africa, and has vast experience in working in Egypt.”
France accused Moscow on Tuesday of using energy supply as “a weapon of war” as Russian gas giant Gazprom reduced deliveries to one of its main utilities and prepared to halt flows along a major pipeline to Germany.
European governments are scrambling to respond to soaring energy costs for businesses and households and to find alternatives to Russian supply to store for winter.
Western nations fear that Moscow is driving up gas prices to try to weaken their resolve in opposing its invasion of Ukraine, a tactic Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday dubbed economic terrorism. Moscow denies it is doing this.
“Very clearly Russia is using gas as a weapon of war and we must prepare for the worst case scenario of a complete interruption of supplies,” France’s Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told France Inter radio.
She was speaking after French utility Engie (ENGIE.PA) said it would receive less gas from Gazprom from Tuesday because of an unspecified contractual dispute.
Europe is already on notice that supplies will be squeezed as Gazprom shuts off the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany from Wednesday to Friday for maintenance.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday urged companies to draft energy savings plans by next month, warning they would be hit first if France is forced to ration supply of gas and electricity.
European energy ministers will hold an emergency meeting on Sept. 9 to discuss the crisis.
Germany is willing to consider a price cap on gas, several Italian newspapers reported on Tuesday, citing a text message sent by the German economy minister to energy ministers across Europe.
An Economy Ministry spokesperson said that Germany will discuss how to break the extreme spiral in gas prices at the energy ministers meeting but did not comment directly on the details of the report.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the former European Central Bank chief, has been pushing for such a price cap, and has also called for steps to decouple the cost of electricity from the gas price.
Such a move would allow European households to get the benefits from electricity produced from cheaper sources such as renewables.
There was some respite on Tuesday when benchmark Dutch wholesale gas prices eased as Europe almost reached its target of gas stores being 80% full and traders took profits following record high prices last week.
The front-month gas contract was down 3% at 259 euros/MWh on Tuesday morning, off all-time highs hit last week, and is trading at levels more than five times those seen a year ago.
The rising cost of the crisis was illustrated when EU member Austria said that it was preparing to pump billions of euros into the electricity company that supplies much of the capital Vienna after a price surge on power markets left it unable to afford the guarantees needed to cover market transactions.
Wien Energie, owned by the City of Vienna, asked the federal government for help at the weekend and the city has identified an “acute financing need” of 6 billion euros.
The Hague in the Netherlands, home to EU law enforcement agency Europol, last week said it would ask for a temporary exemption of EU sanctions against Russia, as it struggles to find a replacement for its contract with Gazprom.
Sanctions order governments and other public bodies to end existing contracts with Russian companies by October 10.
Source :Reuters
US oil and gas supermajor, ExxonMobil has posted a net income of $17.9bn for the second quarter of 2022, against $4.69bn in the same quarter a year ago, due to soaring oil and gas prices.
ExxonMobil’s total revenues soared to $115.68bn from $67.7bn in the corresponding quarter of 2021.
The firm reported a cash flow from operating activities of $20bn versus $9.65bn in the previous year, benefiting from higher realisations and margins, increased production, and tight cost control.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 29,2022, it said its capital and exploration expenditures were $4.6bn for the second quarter and, $9.5bn in this year.
ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods said: “Earnings and cash flow increased production, higher realizations, and tight cost control.”
“Strong second-quarter results reflect our focus on the fundamentals and the investments we put in motion several years ago and sustained through the depths of the pandemic.
“Key to our success is continued investment in our advantaged portfolio, including Guyana, the Permian, global LNG, and in our high-value performance products, along with efforts to reduce structural costs and improve efficiency,” he added.
Exxon announced shareholder distributions of $7.6bn for the second quarter.
This includes dividends of $3.7bn.
Woods added: “We’re also helping meet increased demand by expanding our refining capacity by about 250,000 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2023, representing the industry’s largest single capacity addition in the US since 2012.
“At the same time, we’re supporting the transition to a lower-emission future, growing our portfolio of opportunities in carbon capture and storage, biofuels, and hydrogen.”
Last month, ExxonMobil announced that it had made two new oil discoveries in the Seabob-1 and Kiru-Kiru-1 wells.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority has commenced investigations into the sale of fuel laced with water by Shell’s Service Station at Atimpoku in the Eastern Region.
According to the regulator, a sample of the fuel from the station has been sent to its head office laboratory for investigations while other segments are going to the Ghana Standards Authority.
This is contained in a statement issued by the NPA after a video shared by a customer of the station on social media went viral.
The Customer is heard saying that he filled his car tank with fuel from the station and tried to turn on the engine, but the ignition failed to start.
Curious to find out the cause of the problem, the customer brought an empty bottle and asked the attendant to fill the bottle only for them to discover that the petrol is laced with water.
In the video, the man claimed that while he was there and wondering about the issue a lady also came to the station to lodge a complaint that her car has stopped after buying fuel from the same station few minutes ago.
Shell on Sunday shut down the station after the incident came to the attention of Management.
In a statement on Monday, Shell said it has commenced investigations into the incident adding that all necessary remedial steps will be taken before the station is reopen.
“We remain committed to providing best quality fuels to our customers,” it said.
Meanwhile, NPA is demanding that Shell fixes the affected vehicles and compensate customers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria has entered into a partnership agreement with Israel and Japan to begin manufacturing of electric motorcycles.
This is the West African nation’s first step toward creating an eco-friendly environment by reducing carbon emissions in the transport industry.
The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman who disclosed this said the partnership would address the numerous issues impacting Nigeria’s transportation and environmental sectors.
The collaboration is expected to introduce the first car in 2023.
“The first attempt to domesticate certain technologies in this country, especially in the automobile industry, has not worked with continuous importation. NASENI has come into this now with the perfect partners, Japanese and Israeli companies whose technologies are proven and known,” a report by theelectricityhub.com quoted Prof. Mohammed Haruna, Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI saying.
Dr. Ayal Raz, a representative of the Israeli company Peramare Enterprise, observed that Nigeria is a safe place to invest.
Mr. Sasi Shilo, Chief Executive Officer, SIXAI, and Japanese Partner, stated that his business is eager to support Nigeria in developing a sustainable nation using clean and safe technology in addition to supporting the African continent as a whole.
According to Mr Madisca Haruna, Managing Director of LINKSMAN International LTD, the project aims to achieve Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, which aims to improve global cooperation and make access to sustainable energy research and technology more accessible.
British energy bills will jump 80% to an average of 3,549 pounds ($4,188) a year from October 2022, the regulator said on Friday, plunging millions of households into fuel poverty and businesses into jeopardy unless the government steps in.
Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley said the rise would have a massive impact on households across Britain, and another increase was likely in January as Russia’s move to throttle European supplies drives wholesale gas prices to record highs.
“This is a catastrophe,” Britain’s leading consumer rights champion Martin Lewis said, warning that people would die if they refused to cook food or heat their homes this winter.
Brearley said the government response needed to match the scale of the crisis with “urgent and decisive” action.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has less than two weeks left in office, said his successor would announce “extra cash” targeted at the most vulnerable next month.
“But what I don’t think we should be doing is trying to cap the whole thing for absolutely everybody, the richest households in the country,” he told reporters.
In May, when price forecasts were significantly lower, the government announced a 400-pound ($472) discount on consumer bills for this winter.
The opposition Labour Party said that if it were in power it would freeze prices, which could cost around 60 billion pounds a year – almost as much as the COVID pandemic furlough scheme.
The pressures are being felt across Europe but in Britain, which is particularly dependent on gas, the price rises are eye-watering.
An annual average bill of 1,277 pounds last year will hit 3,549 pounds this year and leading forecaster Cornwall Insight said prices were likely to rocket again in 2023.
It expects bills to peak in the second quarter at 6,616 pounds and households could pay around 500 pounds a month for energy in 2023, a higher sum than rent or mortgage for many.
The surge has ballooned inflation to a 40-year high and the Bank of England has warned of a lengthy recession. Despite the dismal outlook, Britain’s response has been hampered by the race to replace Johnson that runs until Sept. 5, focused on the votes of Conservative party members keen on tax and spending cuts.
The two candidates – Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former finance minister Rishi Sunak – have clashed over how to respond, with the front-runner Truss initially saying she would rather cut taxes than give “handouts”.
Both sides have acknowledged that the poorest in society will need support and the government went further on Friday in saying that households should look at how much energy they use – after previously saying people would know what to do.
The Labour party said the country could wait no longer for action. “This is a national emergency,” finance spokesperson Rachel Reeves said.
Truss and Sunak have suggested suspending environmental levies or cutting a sales tax – both ideas dismissed by analysts as far too little to blunt the big hit to household budgets.
Increases in wholesale prices are passed on to British consumers through a price cap, calculated every three months, that was designed to stop energy suppliers profiteering but is now the lowest price available for 24 million households.
Such is the volatility in the sector that almost 30 energy retailers have gone out of business and Ofgem said most domestic suppliers are not making a profit.
Supplier E.on said Britain should accelerate its move away from gas and better insulate its draughty Victorian-era housing stock, while rival Scottish Power urged the government to set up a deficit fund to keep bills down and spread the cost over a 10-15 year period.
Ofgem said customers who could not pay their bills would be offered affordable repayment plans by their supplier.
They would only be forced to move to prepayment meters, which charge above-average rates, as a “last resort”, it said.
The market is too unstable to forecast the next cap for January, Ofgem said, but conditions in the gas market in winter meant prices could get “significantly worse” through 2023.
Source: BBC
Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Energy, Dr. Mohammad Amin Adam, has touted the achievement of President Akufo-Addo’s administration in the renewable energy subsector of the West African nation’s energy industry.
He claimed that Ghana, under Nana Akufo-Addo, has seen the largest deployment of modern renewable energy.
He said this at the recent historic commissioning of a 13MW peak solar power plant in Kaleo in the Nadowli-Kaleo District of the Upper West Region.
“Out of the total installed 151MW capacity, 114MW, which is 75%, was installed by the Akufo-Addo government,” he noted.
This, he explained, makes Ghana West Africa’s leader in modern renewable energy deployment.
Some of the renewable energy projects executed by the Akufo-Addo administration include the Tsatsadu Mini Hydro in the Hohoe Municipality in the Volta Region, ongoing BPA’s 250MW peak solar power plant of which 50MW peak being the phase connected to the national grid, 6.5MW and 10MW peak solar power plant in Lawra and Kaleo, both undertaken by VRA, and three mini-grid solar projects in the East Ada District to serve Alokplem, Azizakpe and Aflive communities.
“Your government is implementing additional projects which will ensure that by the end of next year, renewable energy will reach about 300MW,” he said, pressing the President.
According to him, the project was in line with the Renewable Energy Master Plan, which was also developed by the ruling government and its goal for the power sector target of 1,350MW installed capacity of renewable energy by the year 2030 in Ghana.
The Deputy Minister also lauded the Akufo-Addo leadership for Ghana’s energy sector for its reposition as a key enabler for socio-economic development.
Adding that in this era of the energy transition, the policies of the NPP-led government were bearing fruits which were projecting Ghana as a leader in sustainable development.
Dr. Amin Adam further opined that this achievement in renewable energy had given true meaning to President Akufo-Addo Co-chair position of the Eminent Group of the United Nations Sustainable Goals Advocates.
Installation of renewable energy projects typified by the Kaleo’s and other parts of Ghana, he explained, was strategic to deliver affordable and reliable electricity to all Ghanaians.Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
This is the police vehicle the officers were using for patrol
He said on hearing the complaint of the driver, he proceeded to where the police officers were to check which Fuel Depot the drivers loaded the product from.
He said when he got to them one of the officers became infuriated and started raining insults on him and called him a foolish man for not greeting them and requesting to see the documents.
He stated that the police officer gave him a dirty slap making him lose control of his mobile phone.
The medical report
He said after picking his phone from the ground and asking him why he slapped him, the other police officers joined and beat him mercilessly.
“One of the officers slapped me six times and said they will kill me,” he claimed
Mr. Ampadu told energynewafrica.com that the officers after beating him mercilessly handcuffed him and sent him to Mile 7 Police station and locked him in the cells.
He said it took the intervention of DSP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Communications at the Ghana Police Service to secure his release.
After his release, Mr. Ampadu said he went to the police station and lodged complaint and was given medical form to go for treatment.
He proceeded to the Amasaman Government hospital where he was admitted for three days.
The medical report issued by the Amasaman Government hospital revealed that Mr Ampadu suffered multiple injuries.
The development has angered the Tanker Driver Unions who have petitioned the Inspector General of Police to act on the excesses of his officers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
In a statement on Monday, Shell said it has commenced investigations into the incident adding that all necessary remedial steps will be taken before the station is reopen.
“We remain committed to providing best quality fuels to our customers,” it said.
Meanwhile, NPA is demanding that Shell fixes the affected vehicles and compensate customers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com