Engineering services and technologies company, Technip Energies, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with COS Petrogaz – the agency tasked with the definition, supervision, evaluation and control of implementation of state policy in oil and gas projects in Senegal.
The MoU will see the two organizations collaborating in the fields of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), carbon free energy solutions and decarbonization as both Technip and COS Petrogaz move to accelerate gas development in Senegal within an energy transition energy landscape.
As per the terms of the MoU, the Technip and COS Petrogaz teams will work together towards improving knowledge and technology transfer related to water, oil and gas treatment process engineering; different types of onshore platforms and installations; and offshore gas field development concepts, with Technip tasked with conducting studies set out by COS Petrogaz’ overall gas development strategy.
Additionally, the partnership aims to investigate the energy transition, with workshops and skills transfer initiatives broadening knowledge and skills regarding energy transition-related concepts.
As the MSGBC region gradually positions itself as a globally competitive gas economy, the MoU will be instrumental in accelerating the adoption and monetization of gas.
Representing the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) welcomes the MoU, viewing the agreement and partnership as a critical step towards improving gas monetization and domestic utilization. While projects such as the $4.6 billion Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project – the deepest offshore development in Africa, set to unlock up to 15 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves – and 100,000 barrel per day Sangomar oil project are set to transform the regional energy landscape, the MoU goes one step further to apply local content and capacity building to ensure domestic market growth and beneficiation.
The MoU centers on the need to scale up the domestic workforce through skills and technology transfer, recognizing the role local content plays in driving socioeconomic growth in Africa.
While large-scale project developments in Senegal significantly improve energy security, the MoU ensures such developments translate into tangible benefits for the local population, a key step towards making energy poverty history by 2030.
Currently, Technip is in charge of upgrading the SAR-owned Mbao refinery and has recently been awarded the engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning contract for the GTA floating production storage and offloading unit. Now, with the MoU, Technip will be strengthening its presence in Senegal while taking on a leading role regarding local content within the natural gas sector.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with COS Petrogaz in order to support Senegal in its gas development projects and in its objective of achieving a fair and equitable energy transition,” stated Marco Villa, COO, Technip Energies in a press release issued by the company, adding that, “This new collaboration illustrates our firm commitment to be at Senegal’s side in the implementation of its global energy and industrial development strategy.”
Senegal has placed the development of the domestic gas market as a top priority.
The country is set to witness unprecedented economic growth on the back of gas and by ensuring the right policies are in place, MoU’s are established, and stakeholders are engaged.
COS Petrogaz is leading the sector into a new era of energy security, domestic market improvement and socioeconomic upliftment.
“The MoU signed between Technip Energies and COS Petrogaz will not only be critical for Senegal’s energy industry but can serve as a blueprint for other companies and state institutions from across the African energy sector. Senegal is making considerable progress to advance its natural gas industry with the development of large-scale projects, but it is the country’s local content drive that significant advancements will be seen and should be commended. Through the MoU, Technip and COS Petrogaz have placed the development of the local workforce and market at the center of the country’s gas expansion, while at the same time improving gas monetization in a bid to kickstart socioeconomic growth,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Ghana National Gas Company has constructed a health centre and a 4-bedroom nurses’ quarters at Bomeng in the Sekyere Kumawu District of the Ashanti Region.
The project aims to relieve the stress and problems that nursing mothers and nurses go through in the area.
The centre has consulting offices, a pharmacy, a delivery ward and the main ward, all of which have been lacking in the neighbourhood for a long time.
The CHPS Compound will benefit residents of East Sekyere, Mampong, Nsuta and the neighbouring communities which previously had to travel to the Juaben Government Hospital, Effiduase Government Hospital or the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital(KATH) for medical treatment.
Commissioning the projects, Edomgbole Nwiah Anyimah, GNGC’s Deputy Project Manager, emphasised the need to maintain the health centre and the 4-bedroom nursing quarters.
“We strongly urge that this facility be put to good use. If something goes wrong, fix it instead of waiting for something else to go wrong,” he stressed in a post on the Facebook page of Ghana Gas.
Nana Owusu Ansah, a board member of Ghana Gas, spearheaded the effort to build the Bomeng CHPS Compound and promised that many more would follow.
On his part, Samuel Addae Agyekum, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), praised Ghana Gas for the project and promised the company they would demonstrate a culture of maintenance.Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has officially handed over a US$14.5 million Primary Substation at Kanda, a suburb of Accra, Republic of Ghana, to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at a brief ceremony on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
The 78-mega volts amperes (MVA) capacity substation will enhance the reliability of power ECG supplies to institutions such as the 37 Military Hospital, Kotoka International Airport, Jubilee House, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), the National Mosque and adjoining communities; Kanda, Nima, Burma Camp, Ridge, Airport Residential Area and Cantonments.
Over 200,000 residents within the catchment area will benefit directly from the power infrastructure investment.
The facility is named after Ellen Kavanagh Moran, a retired employee of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), for her selfless service.
The project is one of the many electricity infrastructures constructed as part of the ECG’s Financial and Operational Turnaround Project of the Ghana Power Compact II, with funding from the MCC, a United States Government’s foreign assistance initiative.
So far, two out of eight primary substations earmarked for construction in the Greater Accra Region have been completed.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Ellen Moran Primary Substation, a Deputy Minister at Ghana’s Ministry of Energy, William Owuraku Aidoo, said robust, sustainable and reliable power supply was pivotal towards the country’s industrialisation drive to engender socio-economic growth.
He said the Akufo-Addo-led government was undertaking several power infrastructure projects to meet the power demand of the ever-increasing population.
The substation would reduce the ECG’s technical losses in its distribution network and ensure quality service delivery.
The Deputy Minister expressed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring stable and affordable electricity for consumers across the country.
Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, the Board Chair of MiDA, in an address read on her behalf, said the facility would help meet the increasing demand for power by consumers in the Kanda enclave and enhance productivity, incomes and social outcomes for the residents.
Ms Ellen Kavanagh Moran (Left) being assisted by Hon. William Owuraku Aidoo (Right), Deputy Minister for Energy cut the tape to officially commission the Ellen Moran Primary Substation
She said the facility has all the modern protective and safety equipment for the operators and the public and is connected to fibre-optic broadband for effective communication.
The substation and associated interconnecting and offloading circuits would ensure that ECG secured greater flexibility in evacuating power to consumers and help reduce commercial and technical losses, she said.
Mr. Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, the Managing Director of ECG, said the facility would ensure robust, stable and efficient power supply in the adjoining communities such as Nima, Airport Residential Area and Burma Camp, while critical public institutions like the 37 Military Hospital received regular power supply for effective healthcare delivery.
Mr. Samual Dubik Mahama, Managing Director of ECG
Mr. Steve Marman, the Resident Country Director for Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), expressed the United States Government’s resolve to support Ghana’s quest to industrialise through funding critical infrastructure projects.
Steve Marman, Country Director for MCC
The substation housed two outdoor 30/39 MVA power transformers and 33KV and 11VK switching equipment in a basement-type Control Building.
The Ellen Moran Substation and interconnecting and offloading circuits were constructed by Messrs Eiffage Energie Systemes.TBEA Co. Ltd, and Messrs Best and Crompton Engineering Ghana Limited.
The Project was designed and supervised by SMEC International.Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A former staff of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the US funding agency, Ms. Ellen Kavanagh Moran, has been honoured by Ghana, West Africa, for her contributions that led to the successful implementation of the Agriculture Transformation Programme and the Power Compact Programme.
Ms. Moran was the Lead for Energy Infrastructure projects responsible for the development and implementation of infrastructure projects in compact and threshold programmes in several MCC partner countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Georgia, Ghana, Honduras, Kosovo, Mali and Nicaragua.
For her zeal and commitment to the successful implementation of the Agriculture Transformation and Power Compact Programs, the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), the implementing agency for the Compact Programmes in Ghana, has named the newly constructed Primary Substation in Kanda, a suburb of Accra, capital of Ghana, after her.
The substation will be referred to as the Ellen Moran Primary Substation.
A portion of the citation presented to her read: “In the course of your work, you were part of the many MCC Infrastructure Team that visited Ghana and in all engagements, you were through with your reviews and insightful, offering MiDA invaluable options and recommendations. With your leadership, the MCC and MiDA technical teams worked collaboratively to solve the numerous challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic.
“You demonstrated openness and offered excellent advice. Your responsiveness and timely interventions ensured the successful completion of the 14.2 kilometres George Walker Bush (N1) Highway in Accra, a project which has significantly reduced travel time and facilitated the free movement of goods and services. You were exemplary in leading decisions that enabled the construction of the two biggest Bulk Supply Points in Pokuase and Kasoa, and two Primary Substations at Legon and Kanda. These vital power infrastructure assets will ultimately contribute to improved livelihoods and reduce poverty.
“In recognition of your collaborative leadership, exemplary work ethics and significant contributions to Ghana’s Millennium Challenge Account Programmes, funded by the Government of the United States of America, the Millennium Development Authority honours you and immortalises your memory by naming the Kanda Primary Substation after you.”Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Scores of climate activists, on Tuesday, stormed an ongoing Annual General Meeting of the British Oil Company, Shell, to protest oil exploration by the company.
The protesters in their numbers gathered at Shell’s venue of its Annual General Meeting in London, United Kingdom, chanting ‘Shame on Shell’, and singing ‘all we are saying, stop oil and gas, and ‘we will stop you’.
According to the live streaming by @XRUK_Live on Twitter, Shell’s AGM was put on hold as the protesters practically took over the venue.
There were reports on Monday that civil society organisations, comprising people of the Niger Delta Region, environmental activists, representatives of host oil and gas communities, human rights groups, students, youths, artisans and media practitioners, on Monday, held a rally at the office of Shell, Marina, in Lagos in Nigeria to protest against Shell.
They were asking that Shell should stop oil and gas extraction in Nigeria, and urged investors to stop funding Shell’s operations, owing to the environmental damage that the company’s operations were allegedly causing to the water, land and human resources in Nigeria.
They equally called for a limit of global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial level, and demanded, amongst others, an end to carbon emission.
They equally called for a people-centred transition from fossil fuel to clean energy in Nigeria as well as the clean-up of the Ogoni land and the entire Niger Delta Region.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has held a sensitisation workshop for commercial drivers to equip them with the requisite knowledge on petroleum pricing and quality.
The day’s event was on the back of the recent continuous hike in petroleum prices on the global market due to the rippling effect of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Speaking at the workshop, Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, said the government has instituted several measures to ensure an adequate supply of petroleum products on the West African nation.
Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, CEO of NPA speaking at the workshop
“I have seen video of mates actually in fisticuffs with passengers. You are upset about petroleum price increases and so on…all of those things came to our attention, and it is a result of a lack of knowledge on how we arrive at these petroleum prices,” he said.
He said “we decided to organise this workshop so that you understand that, petroleum prices don’t go up and down depending on the mood of President Akufo-Addo or they don’t go up and down depending on the mood of the Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority.
“It is important for us all as Ghanaians to understand how all these come about because now we all listen to the radio and we can see that there is a worldwide crisis…there is a crisis in Britain…there is a crisis in America of all proportion. I am sure most of you are shocked that America is now airlifting baby food from Germany,” he added.
Head of Economic Regulation at the National Petroleum Authority, Abass Tasunti, took the participants through the dynamics and what goes into petroleum pricing in Ghana.
He emphasised that the government has put in place several measures to ensure the country does not experience a shortage of petroleum products which is being experienced in oil-producing countries like Nigeria.
Mr. Tasunti mentioned the recent reduction of fuel margins, collaboration with the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and intervention of the Bank of Ghana in the forex market has helped in cushioning the situation.
Some participants described the forum as beneficial and enlightening.
“This meeting is an eye-opener to us. We will go back and share the knowledge with our colleagues and return to further dialogue with the NPA,” one of the participants summarised.
They, however, called on the NPA to step up efforts in dealing with adulterated fuel from some filling stations in the country.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, described the workshop as timely.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC) in the Republic of Nigeria has joined the nation to celebrate ‘Our future, the Nigerian child’ as part of activities for the 2022 International Children’s Day celebration, by visiting several public schools within its network to create awareness of electrical safety.
The visits also coincided with the company’s safety sensitisation activities earmarked for the commemoration of the just concluded World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
A statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Engr John Ayodele, said the need to educate children on imbibing a positive health and safety culture should not be taken for granted.
He said cultivating the lessons on how to maintain safety around electricity early would not only save their lives but also forestall lifelong injuries.
“We are strategically embarking on these sensitisation visits of some public schools across our franchise to equip children with the safety skill set that will change their orientation about electricity safety and make them act proactively because as we know, prevention is better than cure. IBEDC, as a socially responsible corporate entity with education at the core of its CSR thrust, then decided that, in addition to our annual donation of school materials and fees to some indigent students, will leverage the Children’s Day celebration as a platform to teach children on safety,” Engr Ayodele said.
Speaking further, Engr Ayodele said IBEDC is committed to upholding global safety standards, as well as sustaining the health and safety culture the company has built over the years through continuous internal endeavours and collaborations with external safety agencies.
“It is against this backdrop that we organised various programmes aimed at institutionalising the safety culture within our business and the people we serve, namely Essay Competition, 1st Responder training, Technical workshop and colloquium, courtesy visits to critical stakeholders etc., to commemorate the 2022 World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This is to further position us for the safety challenges and best practices of the 21st century.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, is facing several court cases which could result in the payment of about Ghs106,810,500.00(US$13,522,209.30) to litigants.
According to GRIDCo, these claims could result in project delays across the country, thereby, affecting their ability to meet statutory objectives.
GRIDCo revealed this in the Multi-Year Major Tariff Review 2022-2027 proposals submitted to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) for consideration.
The company said it continues to face enormous legal challenges concerning claims for the payment of compensation to Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
It added: “Cash flow issues related to the availability of funds to cover all aspects of project execution remains a major hurdle for project execution.”
In this regard, GRIDCo said, “When payment to PAPs is unavailable or inadequate, PAPs impacted by substation and transmission line projects across the country make substantial financial claims in courts and before statutory bodies such as the Commission for Human Rights & Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for the resolution of matters related to compensation payments.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, NPA, has fined seven oil marketing companies to the tune of GHS1,550,000 million for various offences.
The seven companies are Moari Oil Co.Ltd, Rodo Oil Co. Ltd, MBA Global Ltd, Cigo Energy Ltd, Torrid Global Ltd, Naddif Co. Ltd and GAT Oil.
They were punished for engaging in Third Party Supplies, a practice which is considered illegal and unlawful lifting of petroleum products.
Besides, the Authority has also suspended Rodo Oil Co, MBA Global Ltd and GAT Oil for one month.
According to a statement issued by the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the Authority Moari, Oil Co. Ltd was fined GHS 50,000.00, Rodo Oil Co Ltd GHS 350,000.00, MBA Global Ltd GHS85,000.00 and Cigo Energy Ltd GHS 245,000.00.
The rest, namely Torrid Global Ltd was fined GHS 550,000.00, Naddif Co Ltd GHS150,000.00 and GHS120,000.00.
The NPA warned that any company that fails to comply with the rules and guidelines stipulated by the National Petroleum Authority would be subjected to appropriate sanctions.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has lost more than Gh¢26.7Million (US$3,380,220.00 ) in revenue since 2019 due to embedded power generation.
GRIDCo revealed this in its 2022-2027 tariff proposal submitted to the PURC.
In electrical terms, embedded generation is the production of electricity from power stations that are directly connected to a distribution network.
Justifying why PURC should approve its request for a 48 per cent increment in Transmission Service Charge, GRIDCo said since the last tariff review in 2019, some bulk customers connected to the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS) have procured generation at their sites while others have indicated their intention to follow the same path.
It pointed out that as more customers embrace Embedded Generation (EG), the demand for service from the grid reduces significantly, leading to under-utilisation of transmission capacity.
The company mentioned BXC 20MW solar power in Gomoa Onyeadze near Winneba in the Central Region and Genser Energy’s 48MWe in Tarkwa in the Western Region as examples.
Explaining how embedded generation would affect the company, GRIDCo said, “A high penetration of Embedded Generation will result in stranded assets for GRIDCo, and lead to low returns on investments on such assets.”
It said further that in instances where EG becomes unavailable due to technical reasons, the immediate upsurge in demand may create instability in the NITS.
It, thus, recommended that embedded generation be adequately regulated to prevent such adverse impact on the NITS.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya Power Company has urged Kisii County residents to protect power assets and has authorized personnel to do connections to reduce the number of illegal electricity connections that lead to electrocution and blackout cases.
Speaking during a meeting with Boda Boda operators on the outskirts of Kisii town, KPLC Customer Experience Department Representative, Hellen Mogire, stated that electricity transformers and conductors were being vandalised in the region, saying there was a need to protect them.
“Transformers are very expensive. It will take, at least, three months to replace a vandalised transformer once we justify it by writing a business case. You will be in the dark all that time,” Mogire added.
Mogire noted that KPLC fines customers up to Sh15,000 for vandalised low voltage conductors and Sh4,000 for stolen electricity meters that are sold to other residents for illegal connections.
She cautioned residents from contracting unauthorised people who walk around areas of residence doing electricity connections, adding that KPLC was conducting an operation to disconnect them.
“Make sure the electricity connection done at your homesteads is genuine. Those who do not have electricity should take application forms at our office and be connected to the last mile connectivity at a cheaper price,” she stated.
Further, she said that residents should ensure that quality cables are used to do wiring in their houses, saying radio cables were not meant to connect electricity from one house to another because they cause fire incidents.
She encouraged residents to use electricity as required to avoid injuries to family members, noting that Kisii County was among the leading counties where people have illegal connections.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, the entity responsible for operating and managing the West African nation’s National Interconnection Transmission System (NITS) has planned to invest US$990 million in several projects between 2023 and 2027 to ensure power transmission reliability.
Currently, GRIDCo has a total transmission network of about 6472.23 kilometres. Among the projects GRIDCo wants to undertake in the medium term to improve power reliability, minimise system interruptions, lower transmission losses and be able to meet increasing demand are Dunkwa Substation project, 3rd Kumasi Bulk Supply Point (BSP), Upgrading of 161kV Western Corridor Transmission Lines (Aboadze-Takoradi, Takoradi-Tarkwa, Tarkwa-New Tarkwa, New Tarkwa-Prestea, Bogoso-Dunkwa, Dunkwa-New Obuasi, Dunkwa-Ayanfuri, Ayanfuri-Asawinso, construction and upgrading of 161kV middle corridor transmission lines (Akosombo-Tafo, Tafo-Nkawkaw, Nkawkaw-Konongo, Konongo-Kumasi, 161kV Mallam to Pokuase (A4BSP) Transmission Line, 330kV Pokuase-Nkawkaw-Anwomaso Project (Transmission Line and Substation).
This is contained in the Multi-Year Major Tariff Review (2022-2027) proposals submitted to the country’s utility regulator Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) for consideration.
Making a case for its demand for a 48 per cent increment in transmission service charge, GRIDCo stated that the “current tariff of 0.060398GHS/kWh does not adequately reflect the cost of GRIDCo’s operational activities.
“The tariff granted by PURC since July 2019 has depreciated in US Dollar terms from 1.0915 US Cents/kWh in 2019 to 0.8492 US Cent/kwh in March 2022 notwithstanding increases in Regulatory Asset Base over the years.”
It noted that the cost of maintaining the legacy assets and upgrading the transmission infrastructure to reduce congestions within the NITS have become increasingly expensive over the years. It said the objective underpinning its Tariff Proposal is to obtain a cost-reflective tariff that would enable GRIDCo to improve the service levels and quality thresholds, and importantly enhance the company’s sustainability.
“A cost-reflective transmission tariff will ensure a reliable and stable NITS which will restore confidence in Ghana’s power system for sustainable economic development,” GRIDCo said.
The power transmitter explained that should their proposed tariff be approved, they would be able to upgrade the existing low-capacity infrastructure to improve the power transfer capability of the NITS to eliminate congestion within transmission corridors as well as overloads at BSPs.
It said adequate redundancy would also be created to reliably meet the projected demand such that an outage of an element on the NITS would not result in a customer outage. To meet the increasing demand for power, GRIDCo said the construction of new lines, provision of higher capacity transformers to existing substations and development of new substations would enable GRIDCo meet increasing demand at a rate of 8-10 per cent per annum driven by economic growth.
According to GRIDCo, the implementation of the medium-term projects, siting generation facilities on the NITS close to load centres (especially Kumasi and the North), as well as optimising generation dispatch, would also enhance the transmission loss reduction to improve efficiency.
Speaking at the Public Hearing for the Multi-Year Major Tariff Review (2022-2027) in Accra, the Manager in charge of Strategy and Risk Compliance at GRIDCo, Samuel Kow Acquah, said that the company had not been able to get funding for their projects due to the low tariffs granted it by PURC at the last major review.
“We expect that the ministry will help us with policy directions on financing,” Mr Acquah suggested.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Independent Power Producer, Distributors and Bulk Consumers Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor urged PURC to consider and approve GRIDCo’s request for increment in its transmission service charge.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Federal Government of Nigeria is making effort to deliver two units of 330 kV power transmission substations in Katsina and Kano states along with the transmission lines to raise the power supply in the two states.
The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr. Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this while inspecting the 330/132/33kV Katsina Substation project and the Rimi Zakaria Substation in Kano, at the instance of the Minister for Power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, over the weekend.
Speaking at the Katsina Substation, Dr. Abdulaziz said the transformers and structures are in place at the Katsina Substation and that on completion, the substation would improve the transmission of bulk power supply to Daura, Dutsinma, Kankara and Malumfashi Substations in the state.
Dr. Sule Abdulaziz
“We are willing, and we want to ensure that we finish this substation within one year. We will also invite Mr President to commission the substation,” said Dr Abdulaziz.
The TCN head said that the transmission line that would bring bulk supply to the substation is from Kano and was earlier affected by the right of way issues.
“TCN and the government are collaborating on this, and processes have been completed and the contractor would be back to site and soon finish his work and we would be able to commission this substation,” he noted.
He noted that the substation facility has two units of 150MVA power transformers and two units of 60MVA power transformers.
The representative of the contractor of the Katsina project, Engr Mustapha Maihajjo lauded the current administration for fast-tracking the Katsina Substation project’s funding.
He said, “Since the coming of this administration, we have been able to procure about 95% of all the equipment requirements for this project,” noting that shipment of the materials was earlier delayed by COVID-19, but was now on the ground.
The Special Assistant on Power and Energy to the Katsina State Governor, Mansur Ahmed Musa commended the Katsina Mega Substation project. In his words: “We have waited for it for a long time and we cannot wait for it to be delivered. We believe that this project will be delivered timely as the contractor and the Managing Director of TCN promised.”
At the 132/33kV Kankia Substation where the materials for the 330kV Kano to Katsina Transmission Line are stored, the MD of TCN, Engr Abdulaziz said: “We are using part of the station as a storage facility for the materials the contractor is using for the construction of the 330KV transmission line from Kano to Katsina.”
Engr Abdulaziz also said the line was awarded around 2010, but the right of way issue in Kano affected the project execution.
According to him, “We have discussed with the Kano government. They have assisted us with paying for the land while TCN has concluded processes for the structures. So the contractor is now free to come to continue the construction of towers and eventually the lines. We want to make sure that within the one year remaining for this administration, we will be able to complete that transmission line so that Mr. President will commission the project.”
At the 330/132/33kV Rimini Zakaria Substation in Kano State, the MD said: “We started this project some years back and it has reached a very high level of completion. As you can see, the transformers, the switch gears, everything here is now almost 80% complete and this is the second 330kV Substation in Kano.
“Everybody knows that after Lagos in Nigeria, the next city is Kano, but it has just one 330kV substation which is not enough, this new substation will bring to two the number of 330kV substations in Kano. The substation, he said is almost 80% completed and the transmission line that will bring power to the substation is being executed, noting “that is why the Minister for Power, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu asked me to come for this visit to access the current state of project execution, to ensure the project is being executed properly.”
The MD explained that the substation also has two units of 150MVA transformers and two units of 60MVA transformers.
Also on clearing the transmission line right of way to the substation, Dr. Abdulaziz informed that the Kano State Government has paid for the land while TCN has concluded processes to pay for structures.
The government has also given land to relocate those whose lands were directly affected by the substation project, saying, “By the time we complete this project, the line to Katsina will start from here and will feed the 330/132/33kV Katsina Substation,” said the TCN boss.
Engr Dr. Abdulaziz also visited the 30MVA 132/33kV mobile transmission Substation Bichi, which was executed in-house by TCN engineers. The substation has been completed and will improve the bulk power requirement of the state waterworks, Bichi and environs.
Energy, Capital & Power spoke with Rogers Beall, CEO, Fortesa International Senegal about the role of gas power in supercharging African economic development, the role of domestic and European markets, pricing and future investment.
Please tell us your views on the role that gas power will play in the global energy transition?
Gas is essential for the transition as a fast-track mechanism and stepping stone to decarbonization, ensuring rapidly developable power supply that develops African economies. At a base level, it switches out heavy fuel oils, diesel fuel and coal as a lower footprint alternative within much of the existing infrastructure, equipment and generation facilities. But it also allows African economies to compete with industrialized powerhouses on the global market, spring-boarding the continent’s social and economic progress forward.
Of course, natural gas is a blanket term and typically we differentiate it into two types. Most of the countries currently using gas in Africa are using associated gas, i.e. gas coming up along with oil production. And for years, we flared this off as a byproduct – burning up literally enough gas to fuel Africa’s demand for power. Thankfully this is being phased out and globally significant gas monetization has hit Africa. As a fuel source, its carbon footprint is roughly 30% lower than that of crude oil. And with the European Union recently backpedaling on years of blocking gas development, now labeling it as a green fuel source, international markets have opened up, which MSGBC nations are ideally positioned to supply.
Why are so many African countries still flaring?
Historically, extracting gas economically across most of Africa has been a non-starter. Gas wells cost more than oil wells with greater hazards because gas is volatile on the surface and explosions can be deadly. But mostly it was a money thing. Oil prices were and are high at about $108 a barrel whilst many of the oil-producing countries regulated their own gas prices set at next to nothing. Nigeria for instance had the price of gas at 10 cents in MMBTU, then 20 years ago they raised it to 20 cents. Recently, natural gas hit $9 in the USA. Governments were keeping gas prices low in the mistaken belief that it would mean cheap power for their citizens, but really it meant no-one was investing in utilizing the resource, so the infrastructure never got built. Senegal’s got the right idea in that it’s legally a free market for gas and many other nations are catching on, with LNG on the rise, new European market opportunities and world-class gas megadevelopments now arising in the MSGBC basin.
How do you feel about the energy transition?
I’m 100% in favor of the energy transition and of selling excess gas to Europe. Here in Dakar, the fumes from the coal smokestack in the Bargny settlement are blown over the city and you can see the pollution. Gas is cleaner, greener and essential fuel source until such a time as we have effective renewables in place for Africa’s 1.1 billion people.
Most importantly, people need cost-effective power and domestic gas achieves that. The cost per unit of power output for diesel as an energy source is almost twice that of gas yet still much Senegalese power production relies on this heavy fuel oil at $14 in MMBTU. Besides, of the $9 equivalent you might spend on gas instead, half of that goes directly back into the local economy as taxes and to the people developing the resource instead of being shipped back abroad to the country which exported the diesel fuels to Senegal.
During the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 conference, discussions will be centered around the role oil and gas will continue to play in Africa’s energy future. What topics would you like to see addressed at west Africa’s premier energy event and how will Africa, Fortesa and Senegal fit into the dialogue?
For me, the key is that African energy should first develop Africa. Today the Shell station’s out of fuel because we have to import the diesel and so when supply fails, the economy skids to a halt. They’re talking about using naphtha in the new combined cycle gas turbine power plant here but naphtha is more expensive than diesel fuel. We need investment in cleaner fuels for development.
Senegal already has over 30% renewables in its grid. But data from Europe shows renewables there are less than 40% efficient on average which eats into the supply and cost efficiency of these sources. So, I would encourage dialogues around how to drive investment into domestic gas exploration. The oil industry stopped exploring years ago– there’s not 10% of the exploration going on today that was going on globally a decade back. There’s only development and exploitation. So, it is up to we working here in Africa to shift the narrative from talking first about exports. We must take the lead in our own defense to develop Gas fuel not waiting for others risk-taking investors to come while we still have many without access to electricity, while we all pay too much here for the electricity that we do have due to expensive oil sourced fuels and resulting pollution, and onshore African prospectivity can effectively accomplish much of this for African and right now!
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Commissioning the projects, Edomgbole Nwiah Anyimah, GNGC’s Deputy Project Manager, emphasised the need to maintain the health centre and the 4-bedroom nursing quarters.
“We strongly urge that this facility be put to good use. If something goes wrong, fix it instead of waiting for something else to go wrong,” he stressed in a post on the Facebook page of Ghana Gas.
Nana Owusu Ansah, a board member of Ghana Gas, spearheaded the effort to build the Bomeng CHPS Compound and promised that many more would follow.
On his part, Samuel Addae Agyekum, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), praised Ghana Gas for the project and promised the company they would demonstrate a culture of maintenance.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
She said the facility has all the modern protective and safety equipment for the operators and the public and is connected to fibre-optic broadband for effective communication.
The substation and associated interconnecting and offloading circuits would ensure that ECG secured greater flexibility in evacuating power to consumers and help reduce commercial and technical losses, she said.
Mr. Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, the Managing Director of ECG, said the facility would ensure robust, stable and efficient power supply in the adjoining communities such as Nima, Airport Residential Area and Burma Camp, while critical public institutions like the 37 Military Hospital received regular power supply for effective healthcare delivery.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
A portion of the citation presented to her read: “In the course of your work, you were part of the many MCC Infrastructure Team that visited Ghana and in all engagements, you were through with your reviews and insightful, offering MiDA invaluable options and recommendations. With your leadership, the MCC and MiDA technical teams worked collaboratively to solve the numerous challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic.
“You demonstrated openness and offered excellent advice. Your responsiveness and timely interventions ensured the successful completion of the 14.2 kilometres George Walker Bush (N1) Highway in Accra, a project which has significantly reduced travel time and facilitated the free movement of goods and services. You were exemplary in leading decisions that enabled the construction of the two biggest Bulk Supply Points in Pokuase and Kasoa, and two Primary Substations at Legon and Kanda. These vital power infrastructure assets will ultimately contribute to improved livelihoods and reduce poverty.
“In recognition of your collaborative leadership, exemplary work ethics and significant contributions to Ghana’s Millennium Challenge Account Programmes, funded by the Government of the United States of America, the Millennium Development Authority honours you and immortalises your memory by naming the Kanda Primary Substation after you.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
“It is important for us all as Ghanaians to understand how all these come about because now we all listen to the radio and we can see that there is a worldwide crisis…there is a crisis in Britain…there is a crisis in America of all proportion. I am sure most of you are shocked that America is now airlifting baby food from Germany,” he added.
Head of Economic Regulation at the National Petroleum Authority, Abass Tasunti, took the participants through the dynamics and what goes into petroleum pricing in Ghana.
He emphasised that the government has put in place several measures to ensure the country does not experience a shortage of petroleum products which is being experienced in oil-producing countries like Nigeria.
Mr. Tasunti mentioned the recent reduction of fuel margins, collaboration with the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and intervention of the Bank of Ghana in the forex market has helped in cushioning the situation.
Some participants described the forum as beneficial and enlightening.
“This meeting is an eye-opener to us. We will go back and share the knowledge with our colleagues and return to further dialogue with the NPA,” one of the participants summarised.
They, however, called on the NPA to step up efforts in dealing with adulterated fuel from some filling stations in the country.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, described the workshop as timely.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
Speaking further, Engr Ayodele said IBEDC is committed to upholding global safety standards, as well as sustaining the health and safety culture the company has built over the years through continuous internal endeavours and collaborations with external safety agencies.
“It is against this backdrop that we organised various programmes aimed at institutionalising the safety culture within our business and the people we serve, namely Essay Competition, 1st Responder training, Technical workshop and colloquium, courtesy visits to critical stakeholders etc., to commemorate the 2022 World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This is to further position us for the safety challenges and best practices of the 21st century.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
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Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
Dr. Sule Abdulaziz
“We are willing, and we want to ensure that we finish this substation within one year. We will also invite Mr President to commission the substation,” said Dr Abdulaziz.
The TCN head said that the transmission line that would bring bulk supply to the substation is from Kano and was earlier affected by the right of way issues.
“TCN and the government are collaborating on this, and processes have been completed and the contractor would be back to site and soon finish his work and we would be able to commission this substation,” he noted.
He noted that the substation facility has two units of 150MVA power transformers and two units of 60MVA power transformers.
The representative of the contractor of the Katsina project, Engr Mustapha Maihajjo lauded the current administration for fast-tracking the Katsina Substation project’s funding.
He said, “Since the coming of this administration, we have been able to procure about 95% of all the equipment requirements for this project,” noting that shipment of the materials was earlier delayed by COVID-19, but was now on the ground.
The Special Assistant on Power and Energy to the Katsina State Governor, Mansur Ahmed Musa commended the Katsina Mega Substation project. In his words: “We have waited for it for a long time and we cannot wait for it to be delivered. We believe that this project will be delivered timely as the contractor and the Managing Director of TCN promised.”
At the 132/33kV Kankia Substation where the materials for the 330kV Kano to Katsina Transmission Line are stored, the MD of TCN, Engr Abdulaziz said: “We are using part of the station as a storage facility for the materials the contractor is using for the construction of the 330KV transmission line from Kano to Katsina.”
Engr Abdulaziz also said the line was awarded around 2010, but the right of way issue in Kano affected the project execution.
According to him, “We have discussed with the Kano government. They have assisted us with paying for the land while TCN has concluded processes for the structures. So the contractor is now free to come to continue the construction of towers and eventually the lines. We want to make sure that within the one year remaining for this administration, we will be able to complete that transmission line so that Mr. President will commission the project.”
At the 330/132/33kV Rimini Zakaria Substation in Kano State, the MD said: “We started this project some years back and it has reached a very high level of completion. As you can see, the transformers, the switch gears, everything here is now almost 80% complete and this is the second 330kV Substation in Kano.
“Everybody knows that after Lagos in Nigeria, the next city is Kano, but it has just one 330kV substation which is not enough, this new substation will bring to two the number of 330kV substations in Kano. The substation, he said is almost 80% completed and the transmission line that will bring power to the substation is being executed, noting “that is why the Minister for Power, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu asked me to come for this visit to access the current state of project execution, to ensure the project is being executed properly.”
The MD explained that the substation also has two units of 150MVA transformers and two units of 60MVA transformers.
Also on clearing the transmission line right of way to the substation, Dr. Abdulaziz informed that the Kano State Government has paid for the land while TCN has concluded processes to pay for structures.
The government has also given land to relocate those whose lands were directly affected by the substation project, saying, “By the time we complete this project, the line to Katsina will start from here and will feed the 330/132/33kV Katsina Substation,” said the TCN boss.
Engr Dr. Abdulaziz also visited the 30MVA 132/33kV mobile transmission Substation Bichi, which was executed in-house by TCN engineers. The substation has been completed and will improve the bulk power requirement of the state waterworks, Bichi and environs.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com