South Africa’s state-owned power utility, Eskom, has suspended power cuts after managing to return more units in service.
“The power system has recovered to a point where rotational blackouts can be stopped after generation units at Matla, Majuba, Grootvlei and Kendal power stations, as well as the non-commercial Kusile unit which has returned to service,” Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd said in a statement on Saturday.
A further unit each at Matimba and Arnot power stations are expected to return to service during the day.
Eskom started cutting 2,000 megawatts from the national grid on May 3, saying it would have to persist until 5 a.m. on May 9.
The cuts were reduced to 1,000 megawatts Friday evening.
The utility is struggling to generate enough power to meet demand with aging infrastructure that regularly breaks down.
Libya’s Zueitina port has received its first oil tanker after temporarily lifting force majeure last week to free up storage space.
While Libya’s National Oil Company (NOC) did not issue a statement, NOC sources told Libyan media that the Melos 21 oil tanker had docked at Zueitina for loading, after which it will sail to China.
Libya’ declared force majeure on Zueitina, along with its largest oil field, Al-Sharara, and the El Feel oilfield in mid-April amid anti-government protests over the way oil revenues are distributed.
On April 30th, the NOC issued an urgent statement warning that the situation at the Zueitina terminal was critical, calling for force majeure to be lifted for safety and to prevent excessive damage to storage system, which can leak when crude oil levels reach a certain level, noting that bottom of the tanks cannot bear the weight.
A day later, the NOC was given permission to temporarily resume operations at Zueitina, with two vessels reportedly allowed to load.
Libya is now losing some $60 million per day due to the production shutdowns, according to the country’s oil minister.
“Production has fallen by about 600,000 barrels a day,” half of the prior level, Oil Minister Mohammed Aoun told AFP last week. “Calculating the sale price at $100 a barrel, losses are at least $60m daily,” he said.
Since last week, things have been quiet on the political front in Libya, as the leaders and backers of two rival governments jockey for position behind the scenes both internally and with external power brokers.
Russia’s war on Ukraine has further muddied the waters.
Until recently, prime minister-designate Fathi Bashagha from the east seemed confident that he, backed by General Hafter of the Libya National Army (LNA), would be able to march into Tripoli and take over the government peacefully. Lately, however, he has been silent, as Haftar loses favor due to the support Russia affords him, along with the Wagner mercenary force fighting in both Libya and Ukraine.
The price of diesel has shot up at the pumps in the Republic of Ghana.
As of Friday, almost all the major oil marketing companies have adjusted the price of diesel at their various fuel outlets across the West African nation.
GOIL, the market leader, adjusted its pump price to Gh¢11.20 per litre while TotalEnergies adjusted its pump price to Gh¢11.30.
Star Oil Company adjusted its pump price to Gh¢11.45 per litre while Shell adjusted their pump price to Gh¢11.20.
Meanwhile, Benab is selling a litre of diesel at Gh¢10.80
The upward review of diesel prices is in response to the rising cost of the commodity on the global market.
Diesel price has been soaring as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As of 5th May 2022, the price of diesel was sold at US$1,167 per metric tonne.
It was sold at US$1,212.63 previously.
Meanwhile, the petrol price remains the same at Gh¢9.35 pesewas per litre at most fuel stations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Kwame Agyeman-Budu is expected to step down by Tuesday, May 17, 2022, energynewsafrica.com can confirm.
Sources within the energy industry told this portal that the Board of ECG decided to let him step down because he has reached 60 years, the retirement age.
When reached via the telephone, Mr Agyeman-Budu confirmed he is exiting the power distribution company on May 17.
Mr Agyeman-Budu was appointed the Managing Director of ECG in November 2019 to replace Ing Samuel Boakye Appiah, who served three years as the MD.
Before his appointment, Mr Agyeman-Budu was Deputy Managing Director in charge of Corporate Services.
He brought on board over 28 years of experience in the energy industry.
Under his tenure, ECG constructed several substations and expanded its distribution network.
Also under his tenure, ECG ICT staff designed ‘ECG Power’ which makes it possible for 2.8 million out of the company’s 3.8 million customers to make payment for power purchased and services rendered by the company.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s southern power distribution company, ECG, in Tema Region has commenced the installation of smart meters (Pre-Payment Meters) in the Kroboland in the Eastern Region.
The smart meters installation exercise has started in Kpong and is expected to be rolled out in Odumase, Somanya and other towns in the Kroboland.
As of Wednesday, May 4, 2022, only 25 smart meters had been installed in both residential and non-residential areas.
The Tema Regional Manager of ECG, Ing Emmanuel Akinie, who revealed this during an engagement with stakeholders in Odumase-Krobo on Thursday, said they were doing the installation slowly so that “if there are problems, we will be able to identify them and resolve them.”
That said, Ing. Emmanuel Akinie noted they had so far not encountered any challenge since the beginning of the exercise.
According to him, the exercise went on smoothly.
“Some customers have purchased credit successfully,” he said.
Ing Akinie told the gathering that management had decided to wave the internal protocols whereby postpaid meter customers who are migrated onto the prepaid meters pay part of their outstanding debt anytime they purchase credit.
He said those who have purchased credit onto their prepaid in Kpong could attest to the fact that there were no deductions made to settle their outstanding debt when they purchased credit.
“ECG will not use the prepaid meters to manage the payment of a debt,” he assured the customers.
Touching on the four years of outstanding bills owed by residents, Ing Akinie said upon further engagement with stakeholders and the national security, management had extended the two years duration to five years to make it more flexible for them to pay.
The ECG also took advantage to educate the gathering about the importance of using prepaid meters.
Madam Puumaaiya Ruhiya Fuseini, Marketing Officer, Tema Region said with smart meters or prepaid meters, consumers could manage their electricity consumption.
According to her, with the use of prepaid meters, consumers would no more suffer disconnection as compared to the postpaid meters where consumers are disconnected from the grid for non-payment of bills.
“When you realise you’re consuming more power, you can decide to put some of your appliances like refrigerator and other things off for some hours or days to save cost,” she stated.
Nene Asada Author, PRO of Manya Krobo Traditional Council, who was the chairman of the occasion, urged residents of Kroboland to allow ECG to carry out the installation of the prepaid meters since it would be of help to them.
He, however, urged ECG to resolve any issue the residents may raise.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s petroleum fiscal regime is investor-friendly and offers higher returns to investors, a Deputy Minister for Energy in the Republic of Ghana has told investors in the United States of America.
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, therefore, wooed them to take advantage of the favourable petroleum market environment in Ghana.
“Our petroleum fiscal regime is investor-friendly offering higher returns to investors. The licensing regime is transparent and provides investor certainty and flexibility,” Dr Amin said on the sidelines at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) investor forum in Texas, USA.
He mentioned that Ghana was aspiring to become a hub for refined petroleum products and petrochemicals in the West African sub-region and that there were numerous petroleum downstream opportunities available for grab.
“Government has, therefore, designated a free zone area for the development of petroleum and petrochemical refineries, storage and transportation facilities for the export of products to largely African markets. This requires collaboration with the private sector to achieve the objectives of the Hub,” he emphasised.
The Deputy Minister for Energy stated that the government established the Ghana Petroleum Hub Corporation which was necessitated by investors’ demands for the removal of ‘regulatory fatigue, red tapes and long lead times in project development’.
That, he said, was to facilitate the issuance of permits and licences to potential investors “and to play a rapid response role in addressing the challenges investors encounter in delivering on projects.”
In a related development, the Deputy Minister for Energy, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, in a brief ceremony, officially opened Ghana’s pavilion at the OTC at the NRG Park in Houston Texas.
The OTC, an annual event, provides energy professionals with the opportunity to meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters and has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Technology Conference, OTC Brasil and OTC Asia.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Tanzania has set an ambitious goal of generating 6000Megawatts of power from renewable energy sources by 2025.
Among the renewable energy sources, Tanzania has considered include hydropower, solar and wind.
President of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan disclosed this in the US on Monday during a discussion themed: ‘A New Day for US-Tanzania Relations’, which was hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wilson Centre, Ambassador Mark Green.
President Hassan mentioned some of the projects as Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) which is expected to produce 2,100MW upon its completion, as well as the envisaged Ruhudji and Rumakali hydropower projects anticipated to produce 358MW and 222MW, respectively.
She told the audience during the discussion that Tanzania also has a target to produce between 600MW and 700MW of electricity from solar.
“Tanzania currently produces electricity from natural gas and also plans to tap energy from wind. There are also studies being undertaken to generate electricity from geothermal sources,” President Hassan stated.
Amid the shortage of natural gas due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, she is confident that Tanzania can be among suppliers of the energy resource as many countries are now looking to diversify their energy mix.
“Tanzania is ready to take off. We are open to anyone in the world willing to invest with us and are embracing the private sector. I believe the private sector can cause growth within the country,” she remarked.
She added: “Economic growth is about working closely with the private sector since it has a significant role in attracting FDI’s (Foreign Direct Investments).”
President Hassan pointed out that the reforms have enabled Tanzania to significantly boost the value of investments from just $1 billion during the fiscal year 2019/2020 to a staggering $8 billion during the financial year 2020/2021.
She noted further that the government of Tanzania is changing its model of cooperation with the US from being dependent on aid and instead focusing on aid to trade.
“We are now charting a new model on trading for mutual benefits of the two countries rather than depending solely on aid as it has been the case in the past,” she declared.
President Hassan told the audience at the meeting that she had fruitful discussions with the Vice-President of the US, Kamala Harris, in which they agreed on cooperation toward socio-economic development.
The Wilson Centre Africa Programme Director, Monde Muyangwa, said the organisation works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and enhance relations between the continent and the US.
She explained further that the organisation works to build mutually beneficial relations between Africa and US.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Group Chief Executive & MD of GOIL Company Limted, Kwame Osei-Prempeh, has been honoured as the CEO OF THE Year- Energy Sector at the Maiden Ghana CEO Vision Awards Gala.
The Awards Gala, organised by Globe Productions, saw over 30 captains of industry and organisations celebrated for their vision and excellence in the sector they head.
The award was received on behalf of Osei-Prempeh by the Head of IT & Planning, Anthony Twumasi.
Some staff of GOIL at the awards ceremonySource: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has been adjudged CEO of the year (petroleum downstream) and Corporate Social Responsibility Visionary CEO of the year 2022 at a colourful event at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, capital of Ghana.
The event which was organised by Globe Productions also saw several CEOs of both private and public sector institutions in the financial, banking, agriculture, IT, health etc awarded.
Part of the citation which was read by the MC for the event indicated that NPA had constructed 30 boreholes in seven regions as part of efforts in making clean water accessible to the beneficiary towns.
The Authority had also constructed several basic schools to expand access to education as well as constructing health centres in North Tano, Gushegu, Afia, Talensi, Nsawam and other places.
The NPA, according to the citation, had also made substantial donations to several hospitals including the oncology centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Commenting on the award on his Facebook page and sighted by energynewsafrica.com, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid wrote: “Kudos to past Chief Executives, Management and Staff of the National Petroleum Authority. Ayekoo for making this possible!”
The award was received for him by some staff of the Authority.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Board of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Plc has appointed Engr Yusuf Usman Yahaya as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
His appointment follows the resignation of Engr Garba Haruna, who has led the Company since 2014 and is moving on to pursue other professional and personal endeavours.
Yahaya assumes leadership of Kaduna Electric with diverse public and private sector experiences and educational background in Petroleum and Gas Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, a Master of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland, and is currently a fellow of Doctor of Philosophy.
He has received training in policy design and evaluation at Oxford University and Harvard University.
Until his appointment, Yahaya was an Expert Consultant with the USAID Nigerian Power Sector Programme and Senior Advisor to the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency.
Before this time, he led an energy advisory and projects company on investments and the development of proprietary and third-party frontrunner on-and off-grid thermal greenfield renewable projects.
In this role, he has been the lead consultant and advisor on industry agreements and corporate turnaround strategies in the Nigerian electricity distribution sector.
Previously, he was at various times a strategic analyst and specialist at the General Electric Company, working within the Global Growth Organisation on flag-planting and market development strategies on portfolio across Transportation, Power and Water, Healthcare, and Oil and Gas.
He left the company as Country Manager for GE Water & Process Technologies.
Yahaya is a member of several professional associations including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Project Management Institute and the Corporate Governance Society of Nigeria.
He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Institution of Power Engineers, a Fellow, a Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants.
The Board thanked Haruna for his leadership of the Company and his devotion to the organisation.
As a pioneer Managing Director, he has provided a foundation for the Company.
The Board extends its best wishes to Engr Yahaya in his new posting at Kaduna Electric.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo has told labour unions in the West African country that calls for the removal of taxes on petroleum products are not workable.
According to the Ghanaian leader, part of the revenues from the taxes on petroleum products is what is used to pay the salaries of some of the seven hundred thousand public sector workers on the government’s payroll.
President Akufo-Addo, who was speaking to Ghanaian workers on May Day, noted that “removing taxes on petroleum products will reduce government revenues by some four billion Cedis (GH¢4 billion).
“At this time, when we are determined to expand government revenues to increase our capacity to finance our development, can we afford to reduce tax revenues by GH¢4 billion?” he asked.
Ghanaian workers, through their umbrella body the Trades Union Congress (TUC), recently, demanded that the government removes taxes on petroleum products to cushion consumers from the rising cost of fuel.
Responding to their demand, President Akufo-Addo said the government is implementing measures that would help stabilise fuel prices.
“We are addressing the issue of fuel price increases by implementing measures that are succeeding in stabilising the exchange rate, a key determinant of fuel prices.
“Government is also working hard to ensure reliable supply and availability of petroleum products, thereby, preventing shortages, a phenomenon which is being experienced in some other neighbouring countries. By the same token, we are keeping the lights on in Ghana,” he emphasised.
Additionally, President Akufo-Addo said intense efforts are being made to rehabilitate the Tema Oil Refinery to enable it to contribute to stabilising petroleum prices, which should see the light of the day very soon.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Government of The Gambia has announced a reduction in prices of petrol (PMS) and diesel (AGO) at the pumps for May.
Consumers will now buy petrol at 69.52 dalasis (equivalent to $1.29) and diesel at 64.78 dalasis (equivalent to $1.20).
Previously, a litre of petrol was sold at 70.52 dalasis (equivalent to $1.30) dalasi while diesel was sold at 75.78 dalasis (the equivalent to $1.40).
A statement issued by the West African nation’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy said the reduction is geared towards easing the effects of the price hikes on the general public, especially during this extended holiday period.
The statement said the Government of The Gambia would continue to mitigate these external pressures on the pump prices by absorbing some of the shocks.
“With no certainty of the normalisation of geopolitical, the Government would like to assure the public and businesses that various measures will still be in place to ensure energy security, sustainable retail price and long term price stability,” the statement said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
“Government has, therefore, designated a free zone area for the development of petroleum and petrochemical refineries, storage and transportation facilities for the export of products to largely African markets. This requires collaboration with the private sector to achieve the objectives of the Hub,” he emphasised.
The Deputy Minister for Energy stated that the government established the Ghana Petroleum Hub Corporation which was necessitated by investors’ demands for the removal of ‘regulatory fatigue, red tapes and long lead times in project development’.
That, he said, was to facilitate the issuance of permits and licences to potential investors “and to play a rapid response role in addressing the challenges investors encounter in delivering on projects.”
In a related development, the Deputy Minister for Energy, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, in a brief ceremony, officially opened Ghana’s pavilion at the OTC at the NRG Park in Houston Texas.
The OTC, an annual event, provides energy professionals with the opportunity to meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters and has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Technology Conference, OTC Brasil and OTC Asia.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com