South Africa’s power utilities company, Eskom, has begun tendering processes to lease some of its lands for the development of renewable energy projects.
In December 2021, Eskom first announced plans to lease portions of its land in Mpumalanga to independent power producers of renewable energy.
The tenders were issued last Friday, according to report filed by news24.com.
The land is close to existing power stations in Mpumalanga and, therefore, is close to transmission lines.
This means Eskom will be able to provide a connection to the grid. The lease period is expected to be a minimum of 20 years. The land remains Eskom’s property for the duration of the lease.
During a briefing on stage ‘2’ load shedding, which has returned amid breakdowns at coal-fired power stations, Chief Executive André De Ruyter said the initiative is a “trial,” and there is scope for the initiative to be expanded.
Eskom is targeting 1000 MW of power, but ultimately it could go as high as 4000MW to 5000MW of renewable energy capacity from the country’s coal belt, where coal-fired power stations will eventually be retired, explained De Ruyter.
“This initiative is intended to allow investors accelerated access to our existing grid, and to enable investment in renewable energy next to our coal-fired power stations, to demonstrate our commitment to being part of the just energy transition,” De Ruyter said.
Eskom said that the leasing of the land would assist in providing relief to the constrained electricity system by getting additional generation capacity from independent power producers online.
Potential bidders have until 29 April at 10:00 to make submissions. Bidding documents are available, for free, on Eskom’s website.
Last week, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) launched Bid Window ‘6’ of the renewable energy independent power producer programme to add 2600MW of generation capacity to the grid.
Accessing the documents requires a fee of R25 000. Bid submissions close on 11 August.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has restored power supply to Abeokuta and other communities affected by Tuesday’s tower collapse.
According to Lagos Regional General Manager of TCN, Engr. Gbenga Ajiboye, power was restored to the communities at 5:20 am today, Thursday.
He said though the collapse towers still under repair, the company was able to restore power by enroute the power through another redundant line.
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company had earlier on Wednesday announced collapsed of three towers on the Papalanto Ojere 132kv double-circuit lines.
The incident, according to a series of tweets by the electricity firm on Wednesday, adversely affected Abeokuta transmission sub-station, Ojere and new Abeokuta transmission station at Kobape.
“All 33kv feeders from these two sub-stations will be out until the towers are reconstructed. As such, the entire city of Abeokuta and environs, Ayetoro, Imeko, Owode Egba and Mowe will be experiencing power outage. Power supply will be restored to the affected communities as soon as the towers are reconstructed”, it stated.
However, General Manager, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Engr. Gbenga Ajiboye, revealed that the towers collapsed due to heavy rain of Tuesday.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Kenyan authorities have reportedly cancelled the work permit of a French chief executive of one of the biggest oil marketers in Kenya amid a fuel shortage crisis.
The government is said to have ordered the deportation of Christian Bergeron, the chief executive of Rubis Energy Kenya – a subsidiary of France-based Rubis Group.
The energy regulator had on Tuesday accused some oil marketers of withholding the supply of fuel to the local market and prioritising exports to neighbouring countries.
The regulator said these companies would be punished by restricting the volumes of fuel they will be allowed to import for the next three months.
Kenya fuel companies sell about 65% of their imports to the local market and the rest to neighbouring landlocked Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There has been a major shortage of the commodity in recent weeks across the country, with long queues forming in pump stations.
Kenyan authorities say there is enough stock in the storage facilities.
There is speculation that some marketers have been hoarding fuel in anticipation of a price increase on Thursday when the regulator reviews prices for the next month.
Experts say the current crisis in Kenya has been caused by a delay in disbursing fuel subsidies owed to oil marketers.
Kenya subsidises fuel prices to cushion consumers from higher fuel pump prices.
But oil marketers have been complaining of delays by government to compensate them for the government-subsidised prices they charge consumers.
The government released some of the delayed payments last week.
Source:BBC
As the world debates climate change and whether we should be utilizing/monetizing gas and other natural resources, we must not lose sight that by 2050 nearly quarter of the world’s population (two and half billion people) will be living on the continent of Africa. In particular, the population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2050 (that constitutes a 99% increase) with 60% of the population being under the age of 25.
The statistics are worrying and suggest a war raging between energy access and population growth – the solutions however lie in advanced technology adoption and the proliferation of free Wi-Fi to bolster learning and access to already available resources – but critically in the framework with which projects are developed. This is not beyond the capabilities of the current market players, however the number of IPPs reaching financial close is woefully low and painfully slow and runs the risk of being outpaced by population growth within ten years – yes, Africa’s energy sector is at war against population growth and if the investment community cannot compete, it runs the risk of becoming obsolete.
As always the Africa Energy Forum will focus on project development, bringing stakeholders together to have explicit private sector anchored discussions. However, the framework in which the private sector operates needs to evolve to promote greater stability from the perspective of governmental elections and further changes as political climates evolve and ministerial roles change. Egypt’s sectoral framework has liberated 28GW in only 8yrs and is a model which can be replicated across the continent at varying scales. South Africa’s IPP Office model was widely agreed to be the most successful (and aggressive) renewable energy programme anywhere in the world and again can be replicated across the continent…
Yes, there are many examples that decision makers and stakeholders can draw from and time is running out, but the battle is not yet lost.
Joining us at AEF to make your voice heard and with less 11 weeks to go and nearly 60% of the agenda already closed, over 150 speakers including 8 Ministers of Energy, 10 utilities, 21 development financial institution and over 70 private sector investors, the stage is set for another impactful #aef22 like never before.
Sign up and take part in, Interactive discussions that will focus on crucial topics such as:
Project preparation – How can stakeholders work better together to increase the number of projects coming to a financial close? What are recent successful and failed examples?
Implementing practical solutions for Africa’s utilities – What are the realistic solutions to tackle the financing and modernisation challenges?
COP26 to COP27 – how is the conversation changing – Africa’s voice in the global fight against climate change, and what does Africa want from COP27?
How are commitments made by the development finance community at COP26 being channelled through -what does energy transition funding mean and how is it being deployed?
Gas – Africa’s fuel here to stay – Is there a disconnect between policy and reality? Where will financing come from? Building
Africa as a green hydrogen power house – How much will African countries actually score economically from investing in hydrogen
Integrating Solar and Wind into the Grid – Putting in place distribution infrastructure needed to soak up generation
Industrial and Corporate De-Carbonisation – How are industries and mining sector playing their part in de-carbonising?
Country Spotlights will also bring Ministers and Heads of Utilities from, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Tanzania, Botswana, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique and more to announce real time projects and opportunities for stakeholders to get involved.
“After the Country Project Spotlight: Ghana session we were inundated with investors wanting to meet with us for further discussions. I want to say a big thank you for giving us the opportunity. Since the meeting, six investors have travelled to Ghana for further discussions on development opportunities in RE development,” Anthony Boye Osafo-Kissi, Deputy CEO, Engineering, Bui Power Authority, Ghana
Recent leading experts confirmed for the event include:
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (MP), Minister of Energy, Ghana
E. Honourable Fafa Sanyang, Minister of Petroleum & Energy, The Gambia
Christopher Kirigua, Director General, Public Private Partnerships, The National Treasury, Government of Kenya
Ngozi Beckley-Lines, Director of Projects, Ministry of Energy, Sierra Leone
Mandy Rambharos, General Manager: Just Energy Transition, Eskom, South Africa
Daniel Bargoria, Director General, Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya
Hizkyas Dufera, Special Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Energy (MoWIE), Ethiopia
Make sure you join us at this year’s 24th annual Africa Energy Forum on 21-24 June at Tour & Taxis in Brussels, as we return to our full scale event, catering for all your business development needs.
PSU major Oil India Limited‘s registered headquarter at Duliajan in Assam’s Dibrugarh district is purportedly under a cyber attack which has lead to the company shutting down all its computers and IT systems at the office, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.
The systems have been on shut down since Monday and efforts are on to resolve the issue, OIL spokesperson Tridiv Hazarika said.
“We have been forced to withdraw all our computer system from LAN connection after it came to our knowledge that three to four computers were hit by a virus Monday.”
”No computer at the headquarter now has access to internet connectivity, he said.
“The IT department is yet to ascertain the extent of damage. OIL is working on solving the issue. Previously too OIL faced such problems, but this time it seems to be a major IT-related crisis which will take time to resolve,” Hazarika added.
Nigeria has lost one of their finest energy personalities, Engr. Joe Makoju.
Energy Joe Makoju died on Monday.
Until his death, Engr Joe Makoju held positions such as the Managing Director of NITEL, CEO of PHCN, Managing Director, National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), Group Managing Director Dangote Cement Group, President of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Special Advisor to President Goodluck Jonathan on Electric Power, Board Member of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Member of Presidential Ad-hoc Committee on Review of Electricity Tariff.
He was an active participant in the power sector pre & post-privatisation.
He was also a director at Geregu Power Plc.
He was a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE).
In a tribute, the Association of Power Generation Companies said: “We remember him as a man who had in-depth knowledge of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and contributed his bit to ensure its development.
“He was the MD/CEO at a very crucial & critical time in the life of the sector. He worked tirelessly with men of candour and zeal.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends and pray for the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Dr Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies, said.
On their part, the Board and Management of Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL) noted that the late Engr. Makoju was an icon whose professional life is worthy of celebration even posthumously, because of his noteworthy contributions to the Engineering Society, Nigeria’s Power Sector, other walks of commercial endeavour, and Nigeria as a whole.
“May the Almighty God have mercy on his soul and grant him eternal peace.
“We hope that you accept our assurances of prayers that you and your family would have the fortitude to bear the loss,” Eng. Kola Balogun Chairman, MEMMCOL, said.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
A former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah says he was not perturbed when some staff of the company started protesting and issuing petition letters, demanding the President of Ghana to say goodbye to him after his four years’ contract.
According to him, he made up his mind not to seek an extension of his contract when it ended.
Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah was appointed CEO of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) in 2017.
When he assumed the post in 2017, the company had a transmission network of about 5,207.7km but managed to expand it to 6414km.
Under his leadership, GRIDCo also established a subsidiary called GRIDTel to offer services to telecommunication companies.
Besides these, Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah and his team spearheaded the construction of both the Pokuase and Kasoa Bulk Supply Points which have helped in stabilising the power supply in Accra.
Despite these and other projects executed under his tenure, some staff of the company, in their series of petitions, described him as a non-performer.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with energynewsafrica.com, which delved into his career and public life, Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah said: “They (about the agitations by the workers) didn’t break me.”
He said throughout his public life, he never stayed at a place for long and so when his contract was at its dying embers, he had decided not to seek an extension as he wanted to pursue other interests.
“I’m always looking for new challenges even in my primary school days.
“When the names of the new Board of GRIDCo were released, my name was among but I decided to leave, ” he revealed.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
A former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah, says he was not the type of CEO who sat in the office and always enjoyed the breeze from the air conditioner.
Speaking to energynewsafrica.com in an over an hour’s exclusive, Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah said when he received his appointment in 2017 and started working, there were problems and, therefore, put a team together to tackle the issues.
“When I was at GRIDCo, whenever there was a problem and journalist called me to find out what was happening, I would tell them there were problems but, then, we were on top of the issues and that we’re going to solve the problems because we had not come to give excuses. We came to work to solve problems. And the people who put us there knew that we were capable of solving those problems that was why they put us there,” he stated.
Amoako-Baah, who praised the resilience and zeal of his team, said: “My team members were willing to do everything for us to have solutions to the problems and I raise my heart for them.”
He recalled how he and his team visited the Atiwa forest a couple of times to inspire the engineers who were working to fix a problem with the transmission line.
“I was not the CEO who sat in the office every day. I was visiting the transmission lines that were built from Kumasi. I visited the whole transmission line route. I went to Nayania substation which was built in Bolgatanga, Adubiyile in Tamale and Awomaso,” he said.
GRIDCo has a total transmission network of about 6,414kilometres
Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah with some officials of GRIDCo during a visit to Atiwa Forest to inspect repair works on the transmission line
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s southern Electricity Distribution Company (ECG) has served notice to government institutions and private entities that are owing the company to settle their indebtedness or face disconnection.
“All ECG customers and government institutions including state-owned enterprises will be disconnected by the task force so long as their bills are in arrears as stipulated by PURC regulations. ECG reserves the right to publish the names of customers whose bills are in arrears. Please pay your bills promptly to avoid any embarrassment,” a notice issued by ECG said.
The power distributor encouraged the public to report any act of illegal connection to the nearest ECG office or call the task force via the telephone number 0551444011 for an informant reward of six per cent of the surcharged amount upon confirmation of the crime.
The ECG formed a National Taskforce under its revenue mobilisation unit last year to retrieve monies owed by consumers.
Since then, the Taskforce has been visiting institutions and disconnected power supply to those owing arrears including the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Africa Oil Week has entered into a partnership with the African Energy Commission(AFREC), a part of African Union (AU).
AFREC’s responsibility is to develop the African energy sector for all AU Member states and as part of the Africa Oil Week partnership, AFREC will facilitate a ministerial dialogue at this year’s event, hosted from 3-7 October in Cape Town, South Africa.
“We are pleased to work with Africa Oil Week to facilitate dialogues with all energy players and we look forward to the important conversations’’, says African Energy Commission’s Executive Director, Rashid Ali Abdallah.
“For more than 25 years, Africa Oil Week has brought together governments, oil companies, investors, the exploration community, and service providers. Hence, this partnership is a major breakthrough for Africa Oil Week. Working with African Energy Commission will unlock many possibilities to shape a better future for Africa through impactful engagements on energy and in turn will help to realise our vision of enhancing Africa’s energy development”, says Africa Oil Week’s Vice-President of Energy and Director of Government Relations, Paul Sinclair.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s southern power distribution company, (ECG) has been going after state agencies and private organisations that owe the company several millions of cedis but have defaulted in settling their indebtedness.
Energynewsafrica.com sees the move as a positive one in making sure that ECG stays afloat.
Two weeks ago, ECG cut power supply to the country’s international airport, KIA, over Ghana Airport Company’s indebtedness to the tune of Ghs49million.
Last Friday, ECG reportedly served a disconnection notice on some heavily indebted public and private institutions.
Six out of the numerous institutions including the Ministry of Communications, Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Center, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Economic Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) owe about GH¢9.8 million.
A spokesperson for ECG in the Accra West Region ECG, Mary Eshun said the indebted companies had up to three days to pay else ECG would not hesitate to disconnect them.
The Ministry of Communication owes – GH¢5,080,752.37, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – GH¢558,014.13, Internal Audit Agency – GH¢545,740.68 Kofi Annan Centre – GH¢208,318.50 Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) – GH¢277,300.32 National Information Technology Agency (NITA) – GH¢1,543,113.68 while University of Professional Studies (UPSA) owes GH¢1,611,403.21
These amount to a total of GH¢9,824,642.71 for the seven listed institutions out of the 29 ECGs targeted for disconnection.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
Four staff of Kenya Power have been charged for vandalising two transformers of the company valued at Sh 1.9 million ($16,464.47).
The suspects are David Murithi Githinji, Henry Mbae, Jackson Thuo Macharia and Jared Juma Oyoo.
They, however, denied the charges before the Thika Senior Resident Magistrate, Vicky Kachuodho.
The suspects were charged, jointly with others already before the court, with vandalising a 50KVA transformer valued at Sh1.2 million at Kilimambogo TTC Gate in Thika East Sub County on the nights of January 26 and 27.
They also faced a second charge of vandalising an Sh700,000, 100 KVA transformer at Gateiguru, Thika East Sub County, jointly with others not before the court on the nights of February 21 and 22.
Additionally, they are also facing a corruption charge for receiving Sh908, 610 via mobile money being proceeds of the illegal sale of the energy infrastructure while being public officers working with Kenya Power and Lighting Company.
The four requested to be released on bond but the prosecutor, Jackeline Wambani, objected, asking that they be held until April 21, 2022, when their cases would be conjoined with those of the traders who were allegedly arrested after they were found in possession of the energy equipment.
The Magistrate ruled that the four be detained until April 21 when bond terms would be determined after the two cases are conjoined.
Source: energynewsafrica.com
The Management of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) has described as misleading and inaccurate reports suggesting that the company has made a loss of Ghs400 million under the current Managing Director of the company, Edwin Nii Obodai Provencal.
Mr Provencal was appointed Managing Director of BOST in 2019 when most of the company’s assets were dysfunctional.
However, through resilient work and dedication, the new MD, with his team, managed to revamp most of the assets and are now working to rake in income for the company.
A couple of projects being undertaken during his tenure include rehabilitation works at the Accra Plain Depot Rehabilitation, Accra Plains Administration project, Repair of the B3P3 pipeline, Tema Akosombo Petroleum Pipeline (TAPP) refurbishment, Tema Akosombo Petroleum Pipeline (TAPP) surveillance system, construction of the Bolgatanga Bulk Road Vehicle Park, Kumasi Depot Rehabilitation works, repair of 12 out of 16 storage tanks at the Accra Plains Depot (APD), Kumasi, Buipe and Bolgatanga, Remedial works on twin 18 and repair of marine assets (barges and tugboats).
The rest are the construction of Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV) parking lot at APD, Tema-Kumasi Petroleum Pipeline-FEED, LPG FEED, supply & installation of mass flow meters, pumps and loading arms and maintenance of offloading platform at Kumasi Depot.
Although the company has, since 2016, consistently recorded losses, it was only in 2020 when the state oil stock holding company booked a profit of Gh¢9.844,673 before tax as stated by its audit report.
According to the audit report, BOST recorded a loss of Gh¢533,191,096 in 2016, Gh¢112,196,531 in 2017, Gh¢287,745,944 in 2018 and Gh¢158,478,676 in 2019.
In a statement responding to the awful impression created by the report, the management of BOST noted: “The report of the GH¢400 million losses made by BOST is not accurate. To measure the profitability and operational efficiency of a business, one must determine whether the underlying operations (core business) of the company are profitable.”
It continued that the Managing Director, in his submission at SIGA, was emphatic that the company achieved a profit before tax of GH¢9,844,673 versus an estimated GH¢30 million in 2020 as against a loss of GH¢158,478,676 in 2019.
The positive net profit before tax attained in 2020 implies a massive turnaround of the operational fortunes of the company.
The statement said: “This enhanced performance was driven by extensive operational efficiency initiatives including, but not limited to massive repair works of our storage tanks, pipelines and marine assets, replacement of outmoded parts across the facilities of the company in the last two years supported by improved marketing and customer service. In the past two years, our income-earning assets have improved from 18% to 91%.
“Any comprehensive and objective analysis of the audited statements for the past five years (2016-2020 profit before tax trend) will show a company on track to higher performance through enhanced efficiency and we look forward to capitalizing on these modest improvements to make BOST an example of a world-class state-owned enterprise.
“It remains uncontested that the debt to suppliers and related parties of $623 million has been paid down to $39 million, the debts owed the local banks of about GHS273 million have been fully cleared and our pipelines which were procured in 2011 and left to the mercy of the weather in the United States under the AT&V contract have arrived safely on our shores and we expect to complete the installation of the additional 12-inch pipeline between the Accra Plains and Akosombo depots. The cash flow position of the company is enhanced and the repair of the company’s infrastructure continues despite the reduction in our BOST Margin.
“We reiterate the fact that your company BOST is on its way to becoming a profitable state-owned enterprise and nothing will derail the resolve of management and staff to achieve this.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and power distributor, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have assured the public, particularly those in Accra that the reconstruction of transmission lines from Achimota to Mallam substations will not result in load shedding popularly known in the local parlance as ‘dumsor’.
“Whilst we confirm the reconstruction work on our transmission lines has commenced since
Saturday, April 9, 2022, we wish to assure the public that the ongoing work will not lead to any DUMSOR,” a statement jointly issued by GRIDCo and ECG said.
The statement said Phase 1 of the reconstruction exercise of the transmission line from the Mallam substation to Avenor was undertaken and completed in November 2021 without any significant disturbance to power delivery in Accra and its environs.
It added that Phase 2 of the exercise from the Achimota substation to Avernor would similarly not disrupt power delivery in Accra.
This statement sought to clarify an earlier statement issued by GRIDCo which some media houses misinterpreted to mean that there was going to be load shedding popularly known as ‘dumsor.’
Touching on some efforts made to improve power delivery in Accra, it said as part of measures to improve power delivery in Accra and its environs, GRIDCo and ECG commissioned the Pokuase and Kasoa substations.
“The bulk supply points of Kasoa, Mallam, Accra Central, Pokuase and Achimota substations have enough transformer capacities to meet the desired demand without any load curtailment or load shedding,” the statement noted.
“We wish once again to reassure Ghanaians that GRIDCo and ECG are collaborating effectively to deliver power whilst the reconstruction work goes on.”
Source: energynewsafrica.com 
Source: energynewsafrica.com 