The Corporate Communications Manager at Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, Mr Ebenezer Amankwah has resigned.
According to sources, Mr Amankwah resigned from the company last week.
It is not clear why he resigned from the transmission company but sources say he resigned to pick up a new role in one of the top banks in the West African country.
He joined GRIDCo in 2019.
Before joining GRIDCo, Mr Amankwah worked with Vodafone Ghana where he was the Corporate Relations Manager responsible for all communications and stakeholder management.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a journalist with Citi FM and later as the Corporate Affairs Manager at Standard Chartered Bank.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged Nigeria will cut its carbon emissions and reach net-zero by 2060, underlining the key role of gas in the country’s energy transition roadmap.
While nations such as the UK, the United States, and the European Union have set targets to achieve net-zero by 2050, Nigeria has opted to join Saudi Arabia and Russia in vowing to reach net-zero by 2060.
This target is lagging 10 years behind the recommended deadline, which the UN along with many climate scientists would like to achieve to stop global warming.
President Buhari explained on Tuesday that Nigeria is aware of the danger presented by climate change: “I do not think anyone in Nigeria needs persuading of the need for urgent action on the environment. Desertification in the North, floods in the centre, pollution and erosion on the coast are enough evidence. For Nigeria, climate change is not about the perils of tomorrow but what is happening today. Nigeria is committed to net-zero by 2060.”
The Paris Agreement has set the transition expectations in motion, thus, the countries are supposed to move away from fossil fuel to clean energy to reach a net-zero target for greenhouse gas emissions.
The Nigerian leader outlined arguments for the gas-based energy transition in Nigeria, stating: “Nigeria is actually more of a gas than an oil-producing country. Consequently, I am requesting financing of projects using transition fuels, such as gas. Nigeria has energy challenges for which, we believe, gas can be used to balance a renewable energy-based system, be it wind or sun. This would enable us to launch the long-term renewable energy infrastructure procurements and investments needed to have a sustainable energy supply.”
Many have argued that energy transition could lead to economic transformation across all sectors and Buhari seems to agree with this. However, the Nigerian leader strongly believes the transition would require infrastructure, which would need to be established and put in place to move forward with the transformation of the energy sector.
During the COP26 Leaders’ Summit, the Nigerian president indicated that the country had already developed a detailed energy transition plan and roadmap: “Our transition plan also highlights the key role that gas will play in transitioning our economy across sectors, and the data and evidence show that Nigeria can continue to use gas until 2040 without detracting from the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Buhari emphasized that gas is the key for addressing the clean energy challenge in Nigeria and explained the country will have to incorporate an unprecedented 7GW additional renewable capacity on an annual basis to reach net-zero.
Furthermore, Buhari argued that Nigeria’s commitment to energy transition is clearly visible within the government’s project, which aims to electrify 5 million households and 25 million people with solar energy.
“In Nigeria, in the area of energy access, Nigeria’s commitment to a just transition is reflected in our initial energy compact which includes the government’s flagship project to electrify 5 million households and 25 million people using decentralised solar energy solution. This is a major step towards closing our energy access deficit by 2030,” explained Buhari.
The Nigerian leader mentioned climate change projects will now be a part of the country’s budget: “I am happy to state that the 2022 budget, which I recently submitted to our National Assembly, is the first cross-sectoral, gender and climate-responsive budget ever prepared in the annals of our history.”
According to its president, Nigeria will need financial assistance, technology transfer and capacity building from advanced international players on the energy transition scene.
“We are looking for partners in innovation, technology and finance to make cleaner and efficient use of all available resources to make a more sustainable transition in energy markets,” added Buhari.
According to Bloomberg, the Nigerian president already announced earlier this year that the country would need more than $400 billion for electricity generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure if its plans to reduce dependence on fossil fuels were to be successfully implemented.
Buhari concluded his speech by urging: ‘‘The outcome of this conference must result in quick resolution of all outstanding issues pertaining to the finalization of the Paris Agreement rulebook, adaptation, mitigation, finance, Article 6 and loss and damage.’’
The Bui Power Authority (BPA) has supplied 39 fishing ponds to 117 people whose livelihoods were earlier affected due to construction of the Bui Hydroelectric Project.
The 117 people were in 39 groups and opted for a Fish Raising module under the Authority’s Livelihood Enhancement Project II (LEP 2) initiative for Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
This initiative forms part of efforts to restore and further improve the livelihoods of PAPs after construction of the Bui Hydroelectric Project. The Resettlement Township Part B consists of the Bui, Dokokyina and Bator-Akanyakrom communities.
“The handing-over ceremony at the Bui Resettlement Township B in the Bono Region saw 117 PAPs 3 to each pond – the ponds stocked with each Group’s preferred fish species; i.e., either 1,000 catfish fingerlings or 500 tilapia fingerlings.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BPA, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, acknowledged the sacrifice of Resettlement Communities – who through a series of consultations and engagements, agreed to be resettled from their previous settlements to the pave way for what we now see and call the Bui Generating Station, which is producing electricity to the benefit of all Ghanaians.
He charged beneficiaries of the raised fishponds to grasp and run with the initiative to improve on their livelihoods which, he said, is part of government’s agenda of job creation.
Board Chairman of BPA Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh (MP, Sunyani East) said he is impressed with the livelihood enhancement modules initiated by BPA to help the PAPs, and believes they will give them sustainable livelihoods. He added that the Bui Power Authority will be doing more to help the PAPs.
For his part, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi lauded the automated mechanisation of the module’s operation, and remarked that it presents a modernised way of engaging with the age-old craft of fishing.
The Chief of Bui, Nana Kwadwo Wuo II, thanked the BPA Board of Directors for their continuous support to Bui Resettlement Township, and requested that the Authority do more to improve living conditions for the indigenes. The Authority has also constructed 30 more fishponds to cater for PAPs with a similar LEP interest at Resettlement Township A in the Savannah Region.
Modules under the LEP II for the Resettlement Communities were instituted to supplement existing professions of the beneficiaries, hence affording them the chance to make some extra income and become self -sufficient.
Aside from the Fish Raising Module, Artisans, Service Providers and Pottery have also been empowered and equipped under the LEP II to start businesses under these careers.
In addition, Event Management, Tractor Mechanisation, Fishing & Fishmongering modules have also been instituted for PAPs who expressed the desire to engage in such businesses to enhance their livelihoods.
Source: B&FT
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has engaged stakeholders in the petroleum industry in the Eastern Region of Ghana to familiarize themselves with the operation of the organization.
The engagement was to, among others, know the industry players and “understand their sentiments to be able to craft and execute a vision that resonates with the people within the organization.”
This is his first visit to the Eastern Region after assuming office about four months ago.
During his interaction with the media, Dr Hamid disclosed that the organization has already engaged some stakeholders including LPG marketers, Oil Marketing Companies, Tanker Drivers and Owners, Civil Society Organizations and others.
According to him, the industry is huge and contributes six per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He said it is as a result of that, that the leadership of the NPA has been embarking on stakeholders’ consultations in the past four months and has promised to do more.
Dr Abdul-Hamid added that, as part of knowing the various organizations, the NPA has already had management retreats as they go about executing their mandate.
He said in the bid to prevent people from violating the rules of the NPA, they will engage the various security agencies to help get rid of that.
He affirmed that they are determined to strengthen their stakeholder relations to help them to do the kinds of work they intend to do.
The visit also took the CEO to the Eastern Regional Police Command at the Regional Police headquarters at Galloway, where he discussed with the security capo issues of cooperation between the NPA and the Ghana Police Service in terms of providing security for industry players, and help in the fight against fuel diversion, smuggling and other related irregularities that may occur in the course of doing business.
Reacting to prices of fuel in the country, he said, “We have done what is within our remit per law, which is that, we appealed to the President and being the sensitive President that he is, he agreed that the price stabilization and recovering levy be suspended for two months. The intended purpose of that suspension was so we could stabilize prices.
“I’m sure you know what the world’s situation is as far as petroleum prices are concerned. Everything is going up on the international market and so to that extent, we thought that this price stabilization and recovery levy was put there specifically for this purpose.
“So, we have done our bit and we were hopeful that in the November window, we do not see astronomical jumps at the pumps.”
However, Dr Hamid insisted the strategy of the NPA is working, having been able to stabilize the prices of fuel.
After the media interactions, he toured some of the fuel stations in Koforidua to check the works being done on the field.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria has commenced reviewing of the operational licences of electricity generation (GenCos) and distribution companies (DisCos) due to poor service delivery in the sector.
Nigeria’s power sector was partially privatised in November 2013 with the government handing over the ownership of the DisCos and a large number of GenCos to the private sector.
Despite this, however, the power supply remains poor with the government having to bail out the sector with almost N2 trillion due to poor financial state.
In a statement to mark his 50 days in office, the country’s new power Minister, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu explained that the government was aware of the challenges facing the sector and was working to resolve them.
He stated that the government was “working tirelessly as we explore opportunities that will, in the short term, deliver the much-desired quick wins whilst still focusing on the long-term objectives of increasing the available power, improving the quality of services, attracting the much-needed investment, promoting efficiency, competition and growth and lastly ensuring transparency and accountability in the value chain of the power sector.
“The Ministry is intensifying performance monitoring of the licensees and the licensing regime, especially their revised Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) to have a better understanding of why some critical stakeholders are performing below expectation.
“We shall be taking a careful and detailed look at issues of policy, capacity and the technical requirement, amongst other things.
“One very critical concern that we must address in this performance monitoring process is to find out if the terms for granting of licenses were onerous,” he added.
A former Chairman of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies in the Republic Of Ghana, Henry Akwaboah, has cautioned that any move by Ghana to aggressively implement a local content law on the downstream sector could dwindle investor confidence in the country.
According to him, if the Government of Ghana fails to revise the intended plan, it may have adverse effects on efforts to attract foreign direct investment into the country.
“We have to remember that all these multinational companies came at a time when Ghanaians did not have the financial resources and the capacity to operate the sector and to me, if many years down the line, you’re now saying to these multinationals or foreign companies that Ghanaians have come of age, therefore, pack bag and baggage and leave the industry, we are setting a bad precedence,” Mr Akwaboah said in an interview with Accra-based Citi News and monitored by energynewsafrica.com.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) had earlier indicated a policy to exclusively reserve the importation, distribution and sale of refined petroleum products in Ghana for indigenous companies.
Even though no specific time has been stated for its implementation, the NPA says it would be implemented progressively to allow foreign-owned Bulk Distribution Companies and Oil Marketing Companies to recover the full value of their assets.
However, Mr Akwaboah, a former Manaing Director of Engen Ghana Limited believes that the move might trickle down and negatively impact other sectors of the economy if it isn’t properly managed.
“I think the government has to tread cautiously because this can have a serious backlash for all the foreign direct investment that we’ve been going out to campaign for, not just at the government level but even at our levels as there are discussions about having people invest in the oil sector and other sectors. So we don’t have to send the wrong signal to the rest of the world that when you come and invest in Ghana, some years down the line, you’re going to be asked to leave and give Ghanaians the chance.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Africa Oil Week (AOW) and Lean In Energy (LIEN) join forces to host AOW Accelerates Diversity & Inclusion at AOW 2021with the aim of driving greater equity practices at workplaces of the future, particularly for women, across the energy sector.
The initiative will explore the role of diversity and inclusion within Africa’s energy transition, host progressive dialogue and drive inclusive growth across the industry while welcoming male allies into discussions.
To empower the next generation of female leaders in the energy industry, AOW 2021 will facilitate vital discussions where women leaders will share their insights and experiences on their contribution to the sector, offering different perspectives from their male counterparts.
Stakeholders will stimulate progressive dialogue on equity issues across the African energy value chain. They will also engage in conversations to recommend the direction that should be taken to allow greater female participation in the industry.
Lamé Verre, Co-Chair for Europe & Sub-Saharan Africa at Lean In Energy (LIEN), said: “At LIEN, our mission is to empower women and allies in the energy sector and those interested in energy, to achieve their ambitions through peer-to-peer mentoring, community, public awareness, education and advocacy. Our alliance with AOW provides a collaborative platform for both organisations to reach a much wider audience. By joining forces, the two organisations can elevate the voices of women and make sure they are heard in key decision-making concerns whilst providing the vital conduit and pathway to achieving the global energy transition and the journey to a low carbon economy
Gender No Bar
As the world prepares to accelerate the energy transition and embarks on the journey to a low carbon economy, the role of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) cannot be overemphasised – the business case is clear, and the workforce gap is even more apparent. Similarly, as the continent of Africa undergoes a shift due to discoveries, changing industry trends, adoption of renewable solutions, technological innovations, it is imperative to have a diverse workforce. Thus, women will indeed have a fundamental role to play in the energy sector’s success.
Cynthia Lumor, Deputy Managing Director, Tullow Ghana, said, “As nations across the globe make diversity and inclusion part of their central agenda, it is heartening to see that we are also playing a role in integrating this very important feature into Africa, particularly in the energy sector. I am positive that AOW Accelerates will serve as a major platform to empower women, encouraging them to participate in decision making and the growth of the sector. This is also in line with the Gender Equality goal set by the United Nations as part of their 17 SDGs. Women have proved that they have tremendous potential and can contribute enormously to any sector, which is why it is important to engage them in crucial discussions that can reshape the industry.”
Paul Sinclair, Vice President of Energy & Director of Government Relations, Africa Oil Week & Future Energy Series Africa, commented, “The discussion of inclusion and diversity has always been key. The energy sector undoubtedly needs greater participation from women. Their unique, innate skill-set and perspectives can drive innovation and change in the sector. To facilitate this positive move, our collaboration with Lean In Energy is crucial. Our primary goal is to initiate progressive dialogue and ensure inclusive growth across the industry. We want more women to be seen at the table, we want their voices to be heard, and we want them to participate in helping us reinvent the future of the energy industry.”
Carefully curated by Africa Oil Week and Lean in Energy, the 2021 Power List comprises 50 inspiring women – from Morocco to Cape Town, from Manager to Minister – all of whom are working and motivating others across the African energy sector was also recently launched. As the traditional energy industry sits on the verge of a new transition, there has never been a more important time to drive diversity and inclusion awareness into our sector, to ensure that women continue to have a voice and opinion in shaping this transformation.
Scheduled to take place from 8-11 November 2021 in Dubai, Africa Oil Week 2021 will unite key decision-makers and ministers from several African nations and the UAE. The conference will serve as a platform for crucial dialogue, solutions and positive engagement over key challenges facing the energy sector in Africa. It will also facilitate partnerships with stakeholders in the Middle East and attract investments into the African oil and gas industry.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Libya has said it will work on cutting emissions and replacing oil with less polluting natural gas.
The Prime Minister of the North African country Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said this at the UN Climate Change Conference underway in Glasgow, in Scotland.
“We are committed to taking a new path. A path towards a low carbon economy and to put an end to greenhouse gas emissions. We are committed to use clean energy sources such as natural gas in electricity production.”
He urged developed nations to “honor promises they made during the previous COPs.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Ghana Energy Awards (GEA) has released the full list of nominees for the 5th edition of the Awards.
The list comes after a three-month-long nominations window, and features major personalities and companies in Ghana’s oil and gas space, the power sector and the renewable industry, who will be contesting for the win in various categories of the 2021 GEA.
The 5th Anniversary Edition of the annual energy awards scheme is under the theme: “Digitalised Energy Sector: The Key for A Resilient EconomicFuture.” The event is to recognise excellence and innovation of players in the energy sector through awards and acknowledge their accomplishments in the public and private sector, as well as the non-governmental space.
GEA’21 has nineteen (19) competitive award categories for the power petroleum and renewable subsectors; including the most coveted Energy Personality of the Year, Chief Executive of the Year-Power and Petroleum, Innovation Project of the Year, Energy Company of the Year, Energy Institution of the Year, Brand of the Year, as well as Energy Reporter of the Year, among others.
This year’s event is exceptional as it is dedicated to acknowledging the efforts of organisations and individuals in the sector toward complementing government’s exertions in the area of digitalisation. As such, exclusive to this year’s awards are categories such as the Excellence in Digital Service Delivery, Digitalisation Project of the Year, Digital Leadership Impact Award, Outstanding Contribution to Digitalisation and Exceptional Digital Management Award.
Also featured are non-competitive honorary awards, including the Lifetime Achievement, bestowed upon individuals and organisations for outstanding long-term impacts in various areas of the energy sector value chain.
The Ghana Energy Awards is organised by the Energy Media Group in partnership with GP Business Consulting. It is endorsed by the Ministry of Energy, its allied agencies and the World Energy Council Ghana, with validation by Mazars Ghana.
Industry partners include the Volta River Authority, Bui Power Authority, Ghana Gas, Energy Commission, Meinergy Technology, Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Sunon Asogli Power, COPEC Ghana, Association of Oil Marketing Companies.
The 5th anniversary of the Awards comes off Friday November 19, 2021 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra with strict adherence to all COVID-19 safety protocols.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The African Development Bank has approved a $57.67 million loan to Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd, South Africa’s public electricity utility—and Africa’s largest— to harness battery storage technology that will increase electricity generation from reliable and efficient renewable energy sources.
The Bank’s financing, a concessional loan, will come from the Clean Technology Fund, a multi-donor trust fund under the Climate Investment Funds.
The pioneering Battery Energy Storage Systems Project is being co-financed with the World Bank and the New Development Bank.
The project involves the development of 200MW of battery storage with four hours of energy storage capacity per day, or 800MW in total, at seven sites in South Africa’s Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
Once onstream, Eskom will be able to dispatch electricity sourced from variable renewable energy that would otherwise have been wasted, reducing reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity at peak times of the day.
The African Development Bank’s Acting Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Dr. Daniel Schroth, said: “The approval of the Climate Technology Fund facility reflects the African Development Bank’s strong commitment to support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition plans, prioritizing investment in new low-carbon generation capacity and new technologies such as battery storage. This comes at a critical moment as the world is gearing up for action at COP26.”
The large utility-scale battery storage project, the first of its kind in Africa, is expected to contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions of as much as 0.292 million tons. It will also inform the roll out of similar projects across the continent. Many African countries are implementing an energy transition as they strive to meet net zero emissions targets.
The project also contributes to South Africa’s ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution, part of compliance with the Paris climate agreement.
The $5.4 billion Clean Technology Fund promotes low-carbon technologies with significant potential to reduce long-term greenhouse gas emissions. The African Development Bank has been an implementing entity of the Climate Investment Funds since 2010.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Tullow Ghana Limited, operator of Jubilee and TEN oil fields, has constructed a 16-unit dormitory block for Nsutaman Catholic Senior High School in the Sekyere Central District in Ashanti Region of the Republic of Ghana.
The project formed part of Tullow’s US$10 million commitment towards the provision of educational infrastructure to support the Government of Ghana’s policy of providing free access to quality senior high school education.
The dormitory block is expected to accommodate about 416 boys out of the over 2,200 student population of the school.
Speaking at the commissioning of the dormitory block, the Deputy Managing Director of Tullow Ghana Limited, Cynthia Lumor said: ‘’This 16-unit dormitory block will add to the existing educational infrastructure in the region and benefit more than 500 students annually, who will ultimately add to the contributions this region is making towards the development of Ghana.”
She added: ‘’These students are the future of this country, and Tullow is happy to play a role in harnessing their creative, innovative skills and talent for maximum future impact.”
She was hopeful that the new dormitory block would enable the school to adequately accommodate the students with proper spacing to avoid the spread of any virus, especially the Covid-19.
Earlier this year, Tullow commissioned a similar 16-unit facility at the Nsein Senior High School in the Western Region.
It currently accommodates about 570 female students.
”This has reduced overcrowding in the dormitories. The school has further increased enrolment by 28 per cent as a result of the additional infrastructure,’’ Mrs Lumor said.
Mrs Cynthia Lumor, Deputy Managing Director of Tullow Ghana Limited speaking at the commissioning of the 16-unit Dormitory Block
Mrs Lumor reiterated Tullow’s commitment to high-ambition leadership in the area of capacity building through education and skills development in STEM; strengthening local and national economies and developing shared infrastructure in Ghana now and in the future.
She said Tullow remains committed to working with stakeholders to complete ongoing projects in identified schools to promote education in Ghana.
The Deputy Minister for Education, Hon. Gifty Twum Ampofo, who commended Tullow, said the gesture would go a long way to benefit not only the chiefs and people of the community but all other students in the country who would be attending the school to pursue various courses for their future.
Hon Gifty Twum Ampofo, Deputy Minister for Education
She noted that private sector actors like Tullow keep supporting the development of the country in all forms, thus leading to the holistic development of Ghana.
“This gesture by Tullow is to complement the infrastructure needs of people and help the government manage its budget.
“Until the introduction of the free SHS concept, only 800,000 students could go to SHS yearly due to the cut off points introduced by the GES and also due to the lack of accommodation space in the schools.
“The successful introduction of the free SHS initiative is substantively the tracking system that led to the current 1.2 million students in our second-cycle institutions. That is why we have seen the growth of 50 per cent in the intake to our second cycle institutions,” she observed.
According to her, the Government of Ghana is focusing on the development of STEM to ensure the training of critical minds for the industrial sector which holds the key to industrialization in the country.
She added that “the Government is also revamping TVET sectors to train skilled manpower for the future.
“I would like to encourage everyone to contribute to the development of education in the country as Tullow is doing since it is the most important asset for our children,” she advised.
Hussein Abdul Rashid, Deputy Director, Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council
On his part, the Ashanti Regional Minister, in a speech read for him by Hussein Abdul Rashid, Deputy Director, Regional Coordinating Council, also commended Tullow Ghana’s commitment to the progress of education and other sectors of the economy.
He suggested that a committee comprising of officials of the district assembly, the school and private sector be established to ensure that the facility is well-maintained to last long.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Volta Region, has commenced an exercise to clamp down illegal connections by visiting and surcharging customers who engaged in power theft across its operational areas in Volta and Oti Regions.
The exercise, which began on Friday, 29th October saw the ECG monitoring team, led by the General Manager, Mr Emmanuel Lumor visit households, hostels, hotels, cold stores, pubs, restaurants, institutions and surcharge customers caught using stealing power, thereby, depriving the company of the needed revenue.
Speaking to the media after the exercise, the General Manager of ECG in the Volta Region, Mr Emmanuel Lumor indicated that “following the inauguration of the national task force against illegal connection on 14th September 2021, by the Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the region has also commenced a special exercise to support the activities of the task force to help the company curb the menace of illegal connections.”
He added that the exercise, which was conducted in all the eleven districts of the region, was to audit the electricity connections and check the integrity of meters and service cables used by customers.
The General Manager further disclosed that “some of the illegalities uncovered during this exercise included meter bypass, unauthorized and direct connections and meter tampering.”
Mr Emmanuel Lumor bemoaned how illegal connections by some customers affected the financial strength of the company and prevents the company from undertaking projects that would inure to the benefits of customers.
“As a company, we have to pay our suppliers like GRIDCO, VRA and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) when we purchase power from them to distribute to our cherished customers, hence, consuming power illegally prevents the company from getting money to pay these key players on the electricity supply-chain,” he said.
According to Mr Lumor, illegal connections affect the distribution system by overloading transformers which eventually lead to the breakdown of transformers and outages.
“When people connect to the national grid illegally, it overloads our transformers and leads to low-voltage and interruption of power supply to our customers.”
He cautioned the general public to do the right thing through prompt payment of bills and desist from illegal acts such as meter bypass as it is a criminal and a dangerous act that can cause fire outbreaks and the loss of lives through electrocution.
Mr Lumor announced that the company has the authority to prosecute persons engaged in such illegal acts within the ECG’s network by an Executive Instrument (EI) 38 of the Appointment of Public Prosecution Instrument (2010).
He called on the general public to help the company in its fight against illegal connections by reporting people who engage in such an act to the nearest ECG office or call the national task force via the telephone number 0551444011.
The financial reward for the whistle-blower, he said “is six per cent commission of any amount we recoup. This is an incentive for anyone who gives us reliable information to unearth any illegality.”
The ECG Volta Regional Office has eleven districts namely: Jasikan, Nkwanta, Dambai, Kpando, Hohoe, Kpeve, Ho, Sogakope, Akatsi, Keta and Denu.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
ZEN Petroleum has participated in the 2021 edition of the Forecourttech Conference in Alicante, Spain, being the only Oil Marketing Company (OMC) operating in Ghana to have taken part in the conference.
ZEN’s participation is a crucial step towards bolstering the international standards that have defined its operations and set the company apart in Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector.
The annual technology-focused conference brings together a qualified audience of delegates representing major oil companies, large independent retail operators and global providers of technologies from around the world to discuss topics focused on technologies and solutions that optimize operations around the mobility hub, convenience stores and the enhancement of customer experience.
Among those in attendance at the conference were Tesla Europe, Sprint, Rydpay and BigBrother International.
Representing ZEN Petroleum at the conference, Retail Director, Prince Awuley intimated ZEN’s ongoing efforts to operate above international standards, while maintaining the highest standards of customer experience across its operations.
He said, “As part of our efforts to stay current with global advancements in the provision of quality fuels and customer service to the Ghanaian and to represent Ghanaian excellence on the global stage, it was important for us to ensure that the country had a presence at the prestigious Forecourttech Conference.”
He added, “The customer is the reason ZEN exists, and it is with them in mind that we continue to maintain growth and continued efforts to stay up-to-date with what is happening around the world.”
ZEN continues its expansion across the country with its newest station at Mallam Gbawe, in Accra, the capital of Ghana, which boasts of double-wall tanks, leak detection, overfill prevention, flame arrestors, oil separators and other key safety features, while providing priority access and parking for persons with disabilities.
ZEN Petroleum continues to maintain a holistic, compliant operations model in creating a world-class retail network, driven by a diverse local team of passionate experts.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Trina Solar Co., Ltd. has been awarded as bankable by all survey respondents in the 2021 PV Module and Inverter Bankability report issued by BloombergNEF.
With this report, Trina Solar is now the only module manufacturer to be rated as bankable for 6 consecutive years by 100% of the industry respondents participating in the annual BloombergNEF survey.
The BloombergNEF report says that a company’s financial health, record of its modules in the field and manufacturer warranties are important indicators for financial institutions in their evaluation of PV manufacturers’ bankability.
It contacts banks, EPCs, independent power providers and technical advisers worldwide and conducts in-depth interviews with quality inspectors and technology experts.
The survey coverage is thus wide and the evaluation is open and transparent. As one of the most credible third-party research institutions in the global new energy market, the report is seen as an invaluable reference for business credit at many financial institutions.
The BloombergNEF 2021 Module and Inverter Bankability Report also cited the annual photovoltaic module reliability scorecard report issued by the internationally authoritative certification body PV Evolution Labs.
The PVEL report affirmed the outstanding performance of Trina Solar’s modules in terms of reliability and power generation capacity. The company was once again named the world’s Top Performer module manufacturer.
Antonio Jimenez, Managing Director and Vice President, Trina Solar Middle East & Africa Region, commented: “The MEA region is experiencing strong growth in solar projects, thanks to the increasing adoption of renewable energy. Solar energy is now perceived as the most competitive form of power generation, helping countries move towards achieving their respective renewable energy targets.”
“Big projects require a reliable partner; Solar bankability represents how the PV system performs over time in association with financial risks. Their choice of a high-bankability manufacturer improves reliability of the PV systems, hence reducing the risks of solar system investment in the long run. As a Tier 1 manufacturer, Trina Solar is the provider of choice for PV and smart energy solutions.” added Antonio
From 2020 to 2021, Trina Solar has launched the Vertex 210mm 410W, 510W, 555W, 605W and 670W modules, leading the industry into the new era of 600W+. The Vertex series has been widely recognized by customers globally, opening a new channel to reduce the cost of electricity and guarantee the long-term stable returns of power plants.
As the world’s leading provider of PV smart energy and energy solutions, Trina Solar is committed to bringing its product advantages into working with global partners to accelerate the global application of smart energy and create a new world of carbon-free energy.
He charged beneficiaries of the raised fishponds to grasp and run with the initiative to improve on their livelihoods which, he said, is part of government’s agenda of job creation.
Board Chairman of BPA Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh (MP, Sunyani East) said he is impressed with the livelihood enhancement modules initiated by BPA to help the PAPs, and believes they will give them sustainable livelihoods. He added that the Bui Power Authority will be doing more to help the PAPs.
For his part, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi lauded the automated mechanisation of the module’s operation, and remarked that it presents a modernised way of engaging with the age-old craft of fishing.
The Chief of Bui, Nana Kwadwo Wuo II, thanked the BPA Board of Directors for their continuous support to Bui Resettlement Township, and requested that the Authority do more to improve living conditions for the indigenes. The Authority has also constructed 30 more fishponds to cater for PAPs with a similar LEP interest at Resettlement Township A in the Savannah Region.
Modules under the LEP II for the Resettlement Communities were instituted to supplement existing professions of the beneficiaries, hence affording them the chance to make some extra income and become self -sufficient.
Aside from the Fish Raising Module, Artisans, Service Providers and Pottery have also been empowered and equipped under the LEP II to start businesses under these careers.
In addition, Event Management, Tractor Mechanisation, Fishing & Fishmongering modules have also been instituted for PAPs who expressed the desire to engage in such businesses to enhance their livelihoods.
Source: B&FT 
He affirmed that they are determined to strengthen their stakeholder relations to help them to do the kinds of work they intend to do.
The visit also took the CEO to the Eastern Regional Police Command at the Regional Police headquarters at Galloway, where he discussed with the security capo issues of cooperation between the NPA and the Ghana Police Service in terms of providing security for industry players, and help in the fight against fuel diversion, smuggling and other related irregularities that may occur in the course of doing business.
Reacting to prices of fuel in the country, he said, “We have done what is within our remit per law, which is that, we appealed to the President and being the sensitive President that he is, he agreed that the price stabilization and recovering levy be suspended for two months. The intended purpose of that suspension was so we could stabilize prices.
“I’m sure you know what the world’s situation is as far as petroleum prices are concerned. Everything is going up on the international market and so to that extent, we thought that this price stabilization and recovery levy was put there specifically for this purpose.
“So, we have done our bit and we were hopeful that in the November window, we do not see astronomical jumps at the pumps.”
However, Dr Hamid insisted the strategy of the NPA is working, having been able to stabilize the prices of fuel.
After the media interactions, he toured some of the fuel stations in Koforidua to check the works being done on the field.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
GEA’21 has nineteen (19) competitive award categories for the power petroleum and renewable subsectors; including the most coveted Energy Personality of the Year, Chief Executive of the Year-Power and Petroleum, Innovation Project of the Year, Energy Company of the Year, Energy Institution of the Year, Brand of the Year, as well as Energy Reporter of the Year, among others.
This year’s event is exceptional as it is dedicated to acknowledging the efforts of organisations and individuals in the sector toward complementing government’s exertions in the area of digitalisation. As such, exclusive to this year’s awards are categories such as the Excellence in Digital Service Delivery, Digitalisation Project of the Year, Digital Leadership Impact Award, Outstanding Contribution to Digitalisation and Exceptional Digital Management Award.
Also featured are non-competitive honorary awards, including the Lifetime Achievement, bestowed upon individuals and organisations for outstanding long-term impacts in various areas of the energy sector value chain.
The Ghana Energy Awards is organised by the Energy Media Group in partnership with GP Business Consulting. It is endorsed by the Ministry of Energy, its allied agencies and the World Energy Council Ghana, with validation by Mazars Ghana.
Industry partners include the Volta River Authority, Bui Power Authority, Ghana Gas, Energy Commission, Meinergy Technology, Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Sunon Asogli Power, COPEC Ghana, Association of Oil Marketing Companies.
The 5th anniversary of the Awards comes off Friday November 19, 2021 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra with strict adherence to all COVID-19 safety protocols.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
According to her, the Government of Ghana is focusing on the development of STEM to ensure the training of critical minds for the industrial sector which holds the key to industrialization in the country.
She added that “the Government is also revamping TVET sectors to train skilled manpower for the future.
“I would like to encourage everyone to contribute to the development of education in the country as Tullow is doing since it is the most important asset for our children,” she advised.
He suggested that a committee comprising of officials of the district assembly, the school and private sector be established to ensure that the facility is well-maintained to last long.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
The General Manager further disclosed that “some of the illegalities uncovered during this exercise included meter bypass, unauthorized and direct connections and meter tampering.”
Mr Emmanuel Lumor bemoaned how illegal connections by some customers affected the financial strength of the company and prevents the company from undertaking projects that would inure to the benefits of customers.
“As a company, we have to pay our suppliers like GRIDCO, VRA and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) when we purchase power from them to distribute to our cherished customers, hence, consuming power illegally prevents the company from getting money to pay these key players on the electricity supply-chain,” he said.
According to Mr Lumor, illegal connections affect the distribution system by overloading transformers which eventually lead to the breakdown of transformers and outages.
“When people connect to the national grid illegally, it overloads our transformers and leads to low-voltage and interruption of power supply to our customers.”
He cautioned the general public to do the right thing through prompt payment of bills and desist from illegal acts such as meter bypass as it is a criminal and a dangerous act that can cause fire outbreaks and the loss of lives through electrocution.
Mr Lumor announced that the company has the authority to prosecute persons engaged in such illegal acts within the ECG’s network by an Executive Instrument (EI) 38 of the Appointment of Public Prosecution Instrument (2010).
He called on the general public to help the company in its fight against illegal connections by reporting people who engage in such an act to the nearest ECG office or call the national task force via the telephone number 0551444011.
The financial reward for the whistle-blower, he said “is six per cent commission of any amount we recoup. This is an incentive for anyone who gives us reliable information to unearth any illegality.”
The ECG Volta Regional Office has eleven districts namely: Jasikan, Nkwanta, Dambai, Kpando, Hohoe, Kpeve, Ho, Sogakope, Akatsi, Keta and Denu.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
He said, “As part of our efforts to stay current with global advancements in the provision of quality fuels and customer service to the Ghanaian and to represent Ghanaian excellence on the global stage, it was important for us to ensure that the country had a presence at the prestigious Forecourttech Conference.”
He added, “The customer is the reason ZEN exists, and it is with them in mind that we continue to maintain growth and continued efforts to stay up-to-date with what is happening around the world.”
ZEN continues its expansion across the country with its newest station at Mallam Gbawe, in Accra, the capital of Ghana, which boasts of double-wall tanks, leak detection, overfill prevention, flame arrestors, oil separators and other key safety features, while providing priority access and parking for persons with disabilities.
ZEN Petroleum continues to maintain a holistic, compliant operations model in creating a world-class retail network, driven by a diverse local team of passionate experts.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 