Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Power has made a passionate appeal to the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) to suspend its planned strike action scheduled Wednesday, 17th August 2022 and allow them two weeks to address their grievances.
A letter signed by Goddy Jedy-Agba, Minister of State for Power and addressed to the General Secretary of NUEE said, “The Ministry of Power takes cognisance of your complaints therein and is committed to offering solutions that will be acceptable to all parties concerned.
“May we appeal to your great Union to allow us two weeks from the date of this letter to address the issues and come up with proposals towards acceptable resolution of all issues.”
Ahead of the planned protest, Members of NUEE, on Tuesday morning, picketed at the headquarters of Transmission Company of Nigeria in Abuja.
A statement issued by the General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero said, “You are hereby enjoined to mobilise immediately for serious picketing of TCN Headquarters and Stations nationwide over the directive by the TCN Board that all PMs in acting capacity going to AGM must appear for a promotion interview,” the letter said.
“This directive is in contravention of our Conditions of Service and Career Progression Paths and was unilaterally done without the relevant Stakeholders.”
The group also complained about the failure of the authorities to pay the entitlement of former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in December 2019.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Burundi has began the implementation of its section of the proposed Rwanda-Burundi electricity interconnection project.
This was disclosed by Selemani Khamis, the Permanent Secretary of the Burundian Ministry of Hydraulics, Energy, and Mines.
The Rwanda-Burundi electricity interconnection project comprises the construction of a 220-kV transmission line.
The line will cut across Kigoma and Butare in Rwanda and Ngozi and Gitega in Burundi.
As part of the project, corresponding sub-stations will also be constructed and extended.
In Burundi, the project will entail the construction of a 79.2 km 220 kV, single-circuit transmission line at the Rwanda/Burundi border at Ngozi and then from Ngozi to Gitega.
In addition, a 220/30 kV sub-station will be built at Ngozi with a connection to the existing 30kV distribution network.
Moreover, the 110 kV substation at Gitega will be transformed into a 110/30 kV one by installing a set of 110 kV bars and two additional 110 kV busbar connections at Ngozi.
Lastly, the Rwanda-Burundi electricity interconnection project in Burundi will involve the connection of the line to the Bujumbura central control centre.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Crude throughput at Chinese refineries slumped in July to the lowest level since the height of the pandemic in March 2020, amid unplanned facility outages and lower processing rates at independent refiners due to declining refining margins.
Chinese refiners processed 53.21 million tons of crude oil last month, equal to 12.53 million barrels per day (bpd), per Reuters calculations based on official data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics. The refinery throughput was down by 8.8 percent compared to July 2021 and down from the June 2022 processing rate of 13.37 million bpd.
In June, Chinese refiners’ processing rates were higher than in May, but some 10 percent lower than the all-time high reached last year in June, data showed last month. Chinese refineries’ throughput fell for the first time in more than a decade during the first half of the year, by 6 percent to 13.4 million bpd.
Now when July is included in the year-to-date refinery throughput, it turns out Chinese crude processing dropped by 6.3 percent to 13.09 million bpd compared to the period January-July 2021.
Crude processing was down in July due to unplanned shutdowns at refineries owned by state giants Sinopec and PetroChina, industry sources told Reuters.
Moreover, China’s independent refiners also cut production because refining margins are coming off recent highs. Subdued refining at the world’s top crude oil importer, China, could continue to weigh on oil prices along with renewed fears of economic slowdown, including lower economic growth in China than previously expected.
In addition, Chinese authorities plan to launch a new round of tax probes on private refiners, the so-called teapots, sources in the refining industry told Reuters last week, in what could slow down further the crude processing rates at the world’s top crude oil importer.
The independent refiners in China, mostly located in the eastern province of Shandong, account for around a fifth of all Chinese crude imports.
Source: Oilprice.com
Ghana’s Minority Parliamentarians have rejected the electricity and water tariffs announced by the country’s utility regulator, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
The Commission, on Monday, announced a 27.15 per cent increment in end-user tariff for electricity and a 21.55 per cent increment for water tariff effective 1st September, 2022.
However, a statement issued by the Ranking Member of Mines and Energy Committee in Parliament and the Minority’s Spokesperson on Energy debunked the 27.15 per cent being announced as the tariff for electricity.
“A critical look at the tariff structure as announced reveals that all residential consumers who fall between 0-300 kWh bracket have witnessed a price increase from GHp/kWh 65.4161 to GHp/kWh89.0422, representing an increment of almost 34 per cent.
“It should be noted that the bulk of residential consumers fall within the 0-300 kWh bracket and will, therefore, be adversely affected by the 34 per cent adjustment,” the statement said.
The Minority noted that the country is already reeling under galloping inflation estimated at 32 per cent, saying “this utility tariff increment will only exacerbate the current high cost of living and will thus worsen the plight of the already impoverished Ghanaian.”
Before this electricity tariff increment, the Minority observed that petroleum products at the pumps have witnessed a colossal increment of about 100 per cent.
“So far, the Energy Debt Recovery Levy has seen an increase of 20 per cent; the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy is up by 40 per cent. The Unified Petroleum Pricing Formula has been increased by 164 per cent, whilst the BOST margin has been increased from 3 pesewas to 9 pesewas, representing a 200 per cent increase.
“As if this is not enough, the fuel marking margin levy has also been increased by another 233 per cent,” the Minority fumed.
According to the Minority, they are of the strongest conviction that the government can and must do something to cushion Ghanaians who are going through unimaginable hardships with ever-worsening poverty levels under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led government.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced a 27.95 per cent increase in electricity and a 21.55% increase in water tariffs.
This will be effective come 1st September, 2022.
The announcement follows extensive stakeholders’ consultations over the last three months.
The Commission made the announcement at a press conference in Accra on Monday, 15th August, 2022.
In a proposal submitted to PURC, the ECG, which is responsible for power distribution in the southern part of Ghana, demanded a 148 per cent increment for their distribution service charge from Ghp16.109/kWh to Ghp39.95 /kWh while NEDCo, which is responsible for the northern part, was also demanding a 113 per cent increment in their distribution service charge from Ghp31.503/kWh to Ghp35.63/kWh.
State power producer, VRA, demanded 37 per cent from Ghp28.227/kWh to Ghp38.687/kWh while GRIDCo is demanded 48 per cent.
Enclave Power Company also demanded 38 per cent from Ghp31.530 /kWh to Ghp43.30/kWh.
Meanwhile, Ghana Water Company asked for 300 per cent in tariffs from Ghs7.2/M3 to Ghs28.2/M3.
Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Dr. Ishmael Ackah said the Commission believes the new rate is sensitive to the plight of consumers.
“In balancing the interests of service providers and consumers, the PURC acknowledged that the very economic variables that have occasioned the steep increases proposed by the service providers also affect consumers. The commission admitted, however, that some level of increases in utility tariffs were inevitable if the nation was to avoid another ‘dumsor’ and its attendant effects including job losses.
“The Commission therefore decided to increase the average end-user tariff for electricity by 27.15% and water by 21.55% effective 1st September, 2022. These rates, in view of the Commission, are sensitive and responsive to the positions of all stakeholders in the utility space in line with sections 3(c) of PURC Act 1997 (Act 538).
“The PURC is grateful to all stakeholders for their participation and inputs into the tariff approval process. The Commission will continue to monitor the operations of the Utility Service Providers to ensure value for money and quality of service delivery,” Ackah said.
Ackah said the PURC will now implement its quarterly tariff review after the announcement of the new tariff.
“After this major Tariff Review, the Commission will implement its Quarterly Tariff Review in line with its Rate Setting Guidelines for Quarterly Review of Natural Gas, Electricity and Water Tariffs,” he added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana could be hit with severe fuel shortages in the coming days if the government fails to act quickly to ensure the availability of forex for bulk oil distribution companies for oil import.
This warning is coming from Mr. Alexander K. Mould, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority.
Some fuel retail outlets in the capital, Accra, were out of supply.
In a statement issued Friday, Alexander K Mould, a financial analyst and energy expert, noted that banks in the West African nation are reporting a shortage of FX to meet payments of maturing Letters of Credit (LCs) issued to international oil trading companies such as BP, Vitol and Trafigura.
This, he said, was due to the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG’s) inability to meet requirements at the various FX auctions.
“Some banks have even stopped quoting FX rates as there is simply no availability for the quantities required by the fuel importers (BDCs).
“This is causing BDCs to max out their credit-line limits with their banks, and the implication is that the banks will no longer have credit lines available for the BDCs to import fuel going forward.”
Mr. Alex Mould
Mr. Mould further noted that banks also are running the risk of maxing out their credit lines with their corresponding foreign banks that confirm (or guarantee) the local banks’ trade instruments such as Documentary LCs and Standby LCs (aka Guarantees).
He said the situation could prove very disastrous for the country as essential imports could come to a grinding halt.
“Government needs to act decisively and quickly before International Banks’ Credit and Country Risk teams start reviewing their limits to Ghana downwards, if they have not already done so (since S&Ps recent downgrade – the last of the three major rating agencies to do so); Such actions by the Corresponding International Banks will cause a Forex credit crunch resulting in an even faster depreciating Cedi.
“The Government of Ghana must accelerate its discussions with the IMF to allow a bridge-programme to be put in place before the main Take-Out Programme kicks in sometime in Q1 2023 as reported,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, a source within the bulk oil importers has told energynewsafrica.com that the forex is having a grave impact on them than they expected.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A Tamale Circuit Court in the Northern Region of Ghana, West Africa, has remanded a broadcaster and an electrician for allegedly stealing prepaid meters belonging to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
The accused persons are Hack Abubakari, 27, an electrician, and Abu Firdaus, a broadcaster.
The court presided over by his Honour Alexander Oworae charged the two accused persons with stealing and dishonesty and remanded them into police custody for further investigation to reappear in court on August 18, 2022.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
NEDCo has had about 400 prepaid meters stolen from the residence of their customers in the Tamale metropolis.
Speaking to energynewsafrica.com, the Corporate Communications Director for NEDCo, Maxwell Kotoka, explained that accused person Abdul-Hack Abubakri is on the wanted list of the company as part of a syndicate involved in several illegal connections and meter theft in the Tamale metropolis.
He said Abdul-Hack Abubakari was charged for stealing while the broadcaster was charged for dishonestly buying a meter that has ‘Not For Sale emblazoned on it.
He said suspect Hack Abubakari, and his accomplices went round and removed the meters on the blind side of the NEDCo customers.
Mr. Kotoka was hopeful that the prosecution of the accused persons would serve as a deterrent to others engaging in illegal activities in the Tamale metropolis.
“We appeal to the honourable judge to consider the fact that it is in the interest of the public that such persons are dealt with properly,” he said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is set to announce new tariffs for water and electricity utilities before the end of August 2022.
The new water and electricity utility tariffs were supposed to have been announced in July, but the PURC postponed it on two occasions with an explanation that it identified several issues during the analysis and examination of the tariff proposals, which necessitated further deliberations and engagements with the utilities to ensure that such pertinent issues were addressed.
It is not clear as to what percentage of increment the Commission will announce but some industry watchers have told energynewsafrica.com that the increment could be between 35 and 40 per cent.
The ECG, which is responsible for power distribution in the southern part of Ghana, is demanding a 148 per cent increment for their distribution service charge from Ghp16.109/kWh to Ghp39.95 /kWh while NEDCo, which is responsible for the northern part, is demanding a 113 per cent increment in their distribution service charge from Ghp31.503/kWh to Ghp35.63/kWh.
State power producer, VRA, is demanding 37 per cent from Ghp28.227/kWh to Ghp38.687/kWh while GRIDCo is demanding 48 per cent.
Enclave Power Company is also demanding 38 per cent from Ghp31.530 /kWh to Ghp43.30/kWh.
Meanwhile, Ghana Water Company is asking for 300 per cent in tariffs from Ghs7.2/M3 to Ghs28.2/M3.
Speaking to a section of journalists who report on energy in Accra, on Friday, the Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr. Ishmael Ackah, said: “Yes, the tariff will be announced this month,” in response to a question on when the new tariff would be announced.
According to him, the Commission acknowledges the economic challenges utility consumers face but “this must be juxtaposed with the need for the providers to stay in business.”
Dr. Ackah stated that in coming up with the new tariff, benchmark losses incurred by the utilities such as technical losses and illegal connections, are taken into consideration.
He said transparent processes have been used to arrive at the yet-to-be-announced tariffs.
He used the occasion to announce that the Commission would be celebrating its 25th anniversary in October.
“The celebration will be characterised by consumer clinics to educate the public about our mandate,” he said
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) Limited, through its 2021/2022 batch of the National Service Personnel (NSP), has provided a 7000-litre water reservoir, foodstuffs and toiletries to Rising Star Orphanage in Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region to address the challenges of the inmates.
The gesture forms part of GRIDCo’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility strategy in which service personnel posted to the power transmitter contribute to meeting a need in GRIDCo’s operational area.
With support from GRIDCo’s Management, a needs assessment showed that the Rising Star Orphanage has been without adequate water storage facilities and potable water for some time now, hence, the decision by the 2021/22 Service Personnel to support to resolve that challenge.
Through self-imposed levies, the GRIDCo 2021/22 Service Personnel procured the reservoir and foodstuffs estimated at over GHS28, 000.
Established in 2006 and became operational on August 1, 2008, GRIDCo operates the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS) in Ghana and currently transmits electricity to thirty-one Bulk Customers and Distribution Utilities from eleven wholesale suppliers, including the Volta River Authority (VRA).
Speaking at a brief ceremony at the Rising Star Orphanage, the President of 2021/2022 National Service Personnel Group, Ms Akua Eduako Nkansah said: “GRIDCo has, indeed, touched many lives, and through its policy which emphasises the spirit of community, our colleagues and I want to give back following the completion of our tenure.
“We believe our contribution will go a long way to improve the conditions of the children,” she added.
It is the fifth year in succession that National Service Personnel assigned to GRIDCo have supported communities in some of its operational areas.
Richard Mensah, the National Service Personnel Coordinator at GRIDCo, noted that “GRIDCo, as a company, has care at the heart of our core values, which means we care for our employees and not just our employees but the community in which we operate.”
He said the company has instilled this care in the National Service Personnel posted to the company adding that each year they carry out project to assist society.
He commended the NSP for supporting the inmates and was hopeful that the items would go a long way to alleviate the challenges of the home.
The Communications Manager of GRIDCo, Dzifa Bampoh, who praised the service personnel for their effort, also charged them to continue to provide care for the needy in the communities where they find themselves.
Secretary of the Rising Star Orphanage, George Apperkon, expressed the gratitude of the orphanage to GRIDCo for the gesture.
Victoria Namo Sampson, founder of Rising Star Orphanage, Dodowa
According to him, the water reservoir, for instance, would help to ease the pressure the children go through daily to get water.
The Rising Star Orphanage was founded in 1982 by Madam Victoria Namo Sampson.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has reversed his authorisation of Seplat Energy Plc’s acquisition of ExxonMobil Corporation assets in the United States of America.
President Buhari authorised the transaction in a statement issued by his press aide, Garba Shehu, on Monday, August 8, 2022.
However, the President made a U-turn on Wednesday, barely two days after, by revoking his earlier decision.
Presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu told Nigeria-based Premium Times that the President’s U-turn was to support the position of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) which has objected to the deal.
According to him, previous confusion was because “various agencies involved in the decision had not coordinated well among themselves.”
In May, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) declined to approve the proposed acquisition due to “overriding national interest.”
In a corporate filing on Wednesday, Seplat Energy said it followed due process in the acquisition of the assets.
“Seplat Energy has become aware of news and social media reports alleging impropriety in the process of securing ministerial consent to the acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited,” the statement reads.
“Such reports are wholly untrue, and the company will pursue legal action against any parties involved in disseminating false information related to its business.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
French nuclear giant EDF, forced to sell power to competitors below market value, is now suing the French government for over $8 billion in compensation.
EDF says it has lost 8.3 billion euros (nearly $8.6 billion at today’s exchange rate) as of the date of filing the claim against the government, and anticipates losing more than 15 billion euros for the full year.
The French power company, which is already 84% owned by the government and is in the process of being fully nationalized, is forced to sell electricity it produces to rival power plants to increase competition as EDF holds a monopoly.
The initial government decree states that suppliers can purchase up to 25% of EDF’s annual nuclear output between July 2011 and December 2025 at a fixed, discounted price of about $47 per MWh. However, in January this year, the government implemented a larger cap at one-fifth in order to reduce consumer energy bills for this year. Then, in March, the government issued additional decrees, further increasing the volume and reducing the price for EDF.
The losses cited by EDF stem from this time period.
In June, EDF reported earnings showing its largest ever half-year loss. EDF lost 5.3 billion euros in the first half of this year, compared to 4.2 billion euros in profit for the same period of 2021.
EDF’s power stations account for 70-75% of France’s power consumption, and the government is keen on nationalizing the giant in order to ensure energy supplies amid a looming crisis that began when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Losses are mounting for EDF in other areas, as well.
Last week, EDF was forced to slash output at nuclear power stations on two rivers as a heatwave spreading across Europe has rendered the rivers too hot to cool the units.
Source: Oilprice.com
The Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority (BPA), Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, has been adjudged the outstanding Public Sector CEO 2022 at the recent National Governance & Business Leadership Awards held in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Mr Dzamesi was also named among the topmost influential Leadership Personality of the Year.
Apart from his award, the Bui Power Authority, which he leads, was adjudged the Outstanding Public Sector Enterprise of the Year.
The National Governance & Business Leadership Awards is high-impact economic empowerment and leadership award aimed at encouraging good governance, economic empowerment and the creation of jobs in Ghana.
This year’s event recognised and honoured companies, organisations and individuals who excelled in Leadership, Business, and Governance across the country.
The event also honoured the top 100 Most Influential Business Leadership Personalities in the country.
The Board Chairman of BPA, Ameyaw Cheremeh, together with Dr Rebecca Arhin and Mr Saeed Salifu (Board members), accompanied the CEO to pick up the awards on behalf of the Authority.
The Director (Finance), Deputy Director (HR) and the Manger (Corporate Affairs) were also in attendance.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Members of parliament in Uganda have called on the government to adopt cheaper, clean energy sources.
Parliament has questioned the government’s continued investment in thermal energy instead of other cheaper and cleaner energy sources.
During the Tuesday, 9 August 2022 plenary sitting, members of parliament urged government to adopt sustainable renewable sources of energy which are environmentally friendly, efficient and less costly as compared to thermal energy, which is expensive and more pollutive.
This was during the debate on the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) report on the Auditor General’s special audit report on the Namanve Thermal Power Plant.
“In terms of fuel and maintenance, these thermal plants are very expensive. I would implore government to shift and invest in wind energy. We have lots of wasted wind in Elgon, Kapchorwa etc.,” opposition whip, Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe said.
Nambeshe said government should explore other cheaper energy sources such as solar and natural gas.
“We need to go for cleaner energy which is environmentally friendly and efficient. We have a global challenge of climate change and as we grapple with it, we should minimize greenhouse gas emissions through such clean energies,” he said.
In October 2021, Parliament directed PAC to investigate the anomalies and inadequacies surrounding the 2007 implementation agreement between government and a local firm, Jacobsen Uganda Power Plan Company Limited (JUPPCL), where the latter was supposed to build, operate and maintain a 50MW heavy fuel oil thermal plant in Namanve for 13 years and later transfer the same to government.
Whereas the Namanve thermal plant estimated at $27.95 million was eventually handed over to government through the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) in February 2022 after a long dispute, MPs believe that the project is likely to become a white elephant.
“This House passed a budget for a solar project in Kololo which they have said is working effectively and supplies a lot of energy that will complement hydro energy…Why don’t we use solar power that is free in terms of using the sunlight so that we don’t spend money on thermal power that is extremely expensive?” Hon. Rosemary Nyakikongoro (Sheema District) said.
The State Minister for Energy, Hon. Sidronius Opolot Okasai was quick to say that whereas thermal power is very expensive and devastating to the environment in terms of gas emissions, it is still a necessary source of energy for the country.
“This thermal plant was put in place at a time when the country was literally running dark and government had to make a decision to have a thermal plant to meet our energy needs, he said adding that, ’over time, we have built capacity to generate power through sustainable energy like hydro power. It is a backup energy which is operating at a minimum just to keep the engines running.’
The committee report that was presented by Hon. Fredrick Angura (Tororo South County) also emphasised that government adopts new investments on more environmentally efficient energy solutions such as wind, solar and natural gas which are comparatively cheaper in the long run.
“As a country, we should work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We should have a significant investment in the development of renewable energy infrastructure and technologies,” Angura said.
Source:Esi-Africa
Security personnel are currently in the Krobo area in the Eastern Region of Ghana to gather intelligence ahead of plans by ECG to restore power supply to the area.
While the security officers will be gathering intelligence, some staff of ECG have also been deployed there to monitor power installations to ascertain their integrity.
The power distribution company, ECG, has cut the power supply to the area for about two weeks, plunging the area into darkness.
The action of ECG followed attacks on its staff who were installing prepayment meters and residents’ confrontation with military personnel who were helping to install the meters.
Residents of Manya and Yilo Krobo owe ECG unpaid electricity bills to the tune of Gh¢168 million for about five years.
The power distribution company has given them up to five years to settle their indebtedness, but the residents seem not to be in favour of the proposal.
Speaking on the development in the Krobo area, the Managing Director of ECG, Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, justified ECG’s decision to seek the assistance of personnel from the 48 Engineering Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“I didn’t have the requisite numbers. They are not just soldiers…the army has an engineering regiment that has electrical engineers. I picked them up and took them to the training school, with the blessing of the National Security, and then, deployed them there to do the exercise,” he told the Host of ‘Hard Truth’ on Joy News Channel.
“We have not had the best of relationships in Manya/Yilo Krobo, so my staff needed support from the National Security.
“All they keep saying is to pardon their debt, withdraw the soldiers and remove the prepaid meters. The prepaid meters are not negotiable. They should not, for a second, believe that the prepaid meters will be negotiated. The soldiers are also not going anywhere…my people need to be protected. They equally have families as anyone.
“We can’t keep giving them electricity if they are not ready to pay. They have not been paying since 2014. Electricity is a privilege and not a right. It’s only a right to enjoy electricity when we pay,” Mr. Mahama said.
The ECG boss added that “ECG is losing a lot of money because the residents refuse to pay bills.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
This year’s event recognised and honoured companies, organisations and individuals who excelled in Leadership, Business, and Governance across the country.
The event also honoured the top 100 Most Influential Business Leadership Personalities in the country.
The Board Chairman of BPA, Ameyaw Cheremeh, together with Dr Rebecca Arhin and Mr Saeed Salifu (Board members), accompanied the CEO to pick up the awards on behalf of the Authority.
The Director (Finance), Deputy Director (HR) and the Manger (Corporate Affairs) were also in attendance.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com