Ghana: Fuel Hikes: Government Working To Cushion Consumers-NPA CEO

Michael Creg Afful
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Fuel consumers in the Republic of Ghana have been assured of cushioning by the government in the coming days, the Chief Executive Officer of the country’s downstream regulator, NPA, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has said. He said the government is aware of the pains Ghanaians are going through due to the rising cost of fuel and is taking steps to ameliorate the effect of the rising prices on them. A litre of petrol and diesel currently sells between GHS9.99 and GHS11.70. As of 16:50 GMT, Wednesday, WTI $114.0was trading at while Brent sold at $120.8 There have been calls for the government to abolish some of the taxes on petroleum products with the latest coming from the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Some portals have reported that government officials, at a meeting with transport operators, have agreed to abort four tax components on the petroleum price buildups but checks at the Energy Ministry by this portal proved otherwise. Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, is expected to hold a press conference on Thursday, where he would announce several measures the government is putting in place to address the challenges the country’s economy is facing. Speaking during a visit to the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, as part of his familiarization tour of the Region, the NPA CEO, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, said: “There is going to be heavy sacrifices on the part of the government, NPA and everybody so that together, we can move our country forward.” He intimated that the total amount of tax that goes to the central government on a litre of fuel is around GHS1.90 cedis which may not be that significant to the individual consumers given the recent frequent rising cost of fuel on the international market. On the flip side, he said, “This will be a huge revenue loss to the government because that amounts to a loss of GHS4 billion and over on government revenue yet everybody wants their road to be tarred.” Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, however, alluded to genuine demands by Ghanaians on the government to provide one facility or the other for the people albeit at the same time that the government would be bleeding from its revenue points. The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, who was happy about the visit, said the space to manage NPA fuel pricing is difficult especially “when we were expecting crude oil prices around $61 and now we are looking at $120 per barrel.” He said such a situation becomes very difficult and a lot of Ghanaians do not seem to know or appreciate it. “All the taxes that the government has put in place are very little. You have a problem with such a situation whether to take off these taxes and stop development or keep it and do development and people will cry. “You should find a way to get our message directly to the people for them to know that in the budget is only $60 but currently, the price is $120. If we decide to go and borrow money or cushion Ghanaians, no matter what, we will still pay! we are going to pay!” He added that “let Ghanaians know how prices are changing and how it is affecting the real price that we need to pay; if you cannot buy the petrol there should be alternative to use as it is done in other countries. “We, at a Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), we do acknowledge the problem that you have been encountering, such as illegal bunkering on petroleum product; you need to come and visit these communities and then engage them rather than arresting them so that the other people will know that what they are doing is wrong,” Mr Darko-Mensah said. “If the NPA dissociates themselves on this issue, it will continue to come up. If you engage and invest in some kind of corporate social responsibility programmes, it will do us a lot of good,” he said. Responding, the NPA boss announced that this year’s Consumer’s Week would be held in Takoradi, “so we will come back and do proper engagement with the people.” Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Bui Power Authority Scouts For Investors For Wind, Solar Projects

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana’s second-largest state power generation company, Bui Power Authority (BPA), is scouting for potential investors who can partner with them to achieve its net-zero targets through investment in renewable energy projects. BPA operates a 45-kW mini-hydro power station at Abehenease, Alavanyo, in the Volta Region, 400 Megawatts Bui Hydro Power Plant, one Megawatt Floating Solar and also installing 250 Megawatts peak solar PV in phases with 50MW peak already completed and connected to the national grid. The Authority is also considering exploring the development of wind energy and mini-hydropower projects on some identified river resources in the West African nation. Speaking at the just-ended Powering Africa Summit in Washington DC, USA, on the theme: ‘Capital Flows Underpinning the Energy Transition’, the Chief Executive Officer of BPA, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi said the Authority is seeking partnerships to develop additional solar power plants which would be tied to the development of hydro in Ghana. The investment, he said, would help to develop solar projects and hydropower to verify the country’s energy sources. Mr. Dzamesi assured potential investors that their investment with the Authority would be secured, stating that the Authority does not renege on its contractual obligations. “It is good to know that up till now, all the contracts we have signed with investors, we have not defaulted. We have paid on time so we are looking for more investors to partner with us,” he said. He said investing in the solar sector in Ghana would help diversify their investment portfolios and generate better returns on their investment. https://fb.watch/bWYOd-E68V/ The Powering Africa Summit, organised by EnergyNet Limited, started in 2015 and is tailored to support stakeholders of the US Government by bringing together institutional investors, private financiers, and service and technology providers from North America and Africa with ministerial and governmental participation from countries across Africa to drive energy developments on the continent.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Africa’s Electrification Needs $350 Billion Investment By 2030

Michael Creg Afful
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Sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the lowest universal access to energy, needs $350 billion in investments, one-fifth of which needs to be off the grid, to achieve universal electricity access by the end of this decade, Wood Mackenzie last Thursday.   According to the African Development Bank Group, more than 640 million Africans have no access to energy, which corresponds to an electricity access rate for African countries at just above 40 percent, the lowest in the world. Per capita consumption of energy in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, is 180 kWh, compared to 13,000 kWh per capita in the United States and 6,500 kWh in Europe, the bank group says. Electrifying Africa is one of the big challenges ahead for the energy industry, and the way it is being pursued could shape the next generation of the business models of power companies, according to WoodMac. “The future of energy may be forged in Africa,” said Benjamin Attia, a principal analyst with Wood Mackenzie’s Energy Transition Practice. “The evolution of sub-Saharan Africa’s utility business model, both on and off the grid, will fundamentally reshape the trajectory of global electricity demand and will be essential to the energy transition,” Attia added. The persistent lack of electricity access in Africa is partly due to massive underinvestment in infrastructure so far, according to WoodMac. In addition, a large part of the utilities in Africa are operating at a loss and do not have the capital to expand and improve the power supply. Faced with these challenges, Africa could take advantage of the decline in the costs of renewable energy and of innovative business models, Wood Mackenzie said.  “Decentralised, bottom-up, solar-and-storage grids could not only transform sub-Saharan Africa’s energy future but carry important lessons for the next generation of thinking on utility business models globally,” WoodMac’s Attia said. Africa is estimated to have massive potential for 1,000 GW of solar power. Its actual installed capacity as of 2020, however, was barely 10.58 GW.     Source: Oilprice.com  

Africa Must Develop Gas Resources To Spur Industrialisation-Dr Ackah

Michael Creg Afful
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An Energy Economist and Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr. Ishmael Ackah has underscored the need for African leaders to focus on developing the gas resources of their respective countries to spur the economic transformation of the continent. With the ongoing global transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy, Dr. Ishmael Ackah noted that gas is a relatively clean source of energy and good complement to renewable energies. According to him, natural gas can support the economic transformation of the continent through chemical production, fertilizer manufacturing, cement and clean cooking fuels. Dr. Ackah observed that governments across the continent have identified natural gas as a bridge fuel for power generation and for the petrochemical industry to feed industry, enhance access and modernize agriculture. Referring to a recent report on global gas discoveries, he said about 40 per cent of new gas discoveries occurred in Africa, an indication that Africa is endowed with gas resources. In his view, leaving natural gas in the belly of the earth would delay or deny Africa’s chance of industrializing. Dr. Ishmael said this in a presentation on the topic “Political Economy of the Energy Transition at the three days’ ‘Commonwealth Science Conference For Sub-Sahara Africa Fellows’ Meeting in Accra, capital of Ghana. Dr. Ackah also underscored the need for African governments to support national oil companies to develop and implement transition readiness strategies. Referring to a 2021 UNESCO report on research, he said the report noted that Africa’s gross expenditure on research as a proportion of GDP is about an average of 0.5 per cent compared to the world average of 2.2 per cent. “No known country in Africa is spending one per cent of its GDP on research and development,” he quoted the report as saying. Dr. Ackah, consequently, called on African leaders to strengthen research institutions to undertake Research & Development along the renewable energy value chain.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Nigeria Takes Steps To Resolve Power Crisis

Michael Creg Afful
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Nigeria Takes Steps To Resolve Power Crisis
Nigeria says it has made progress in resolving the country’s debilitating power crisis. The West African nation has been facing a serious power crisis. The country’s national electricity grid has collapsed a couple of times this year, causing a nationwide blackout and that, coupled with fuel shortages, has made Nigerians unhappy. Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday in Abuja, the Minister for Power, Abubakar Aliyu enumerated several steps being taken by the Buhari administration to address the power crisis. These efforts, according to him, include the restoration of gas pipelines destroyed by vandals and optimising the capacity of power plants. The Minister added that the Okapi power plant has resumed power generation and is currently contributing an average of 300MW. According to him, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc has been directed to enter into fast-track negotiation with NAOC on an interim energy sales agreement to bring the new Okpai Il power plant on the grid, thereby, contributing an additional 4OOMW of generation capacity. “The “pigging” of the gas pipeline supplying gas to the Odukpani power plant is scheduled for completion on March 21st 2022 thus ramping up generation by about 400MW. “To optimise the capacity utilisation of the power plants owned by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved a special gas pricing for emergency contracting of gas from the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company Ltd. “We expect an on-grid improvement of about 800M YV generation capacity from the NDPHC plants. “In the medium-term, we have agreed with NGPIC (…a subsidiary of NNPC) on the framework for the overhaul of the Okolona gas processing plant, thereby, restoring the full capacity of the 650MW Afam VI combined cycle power plant. “While the recent spate of system collapse is regrettable, it was a direct consequence of a snap on a 330kV transmission line. “The mitigation measures for avoiding such incidence of blackouts are being implemented through several interventions including the Presidential Power Initiative.” The Minister reassured Nigerians that all relevant agencies involved in the restoration of normality in power supply have been charged to act in the context of the emergency state of the industry. He added that the Federal Ministry of Power would continue to periodically update the nation on the progress made in addressing power challenges in the country.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Tullow Completes Takeover Of Oxy’s Interest In Jubilee And TEN Oil Fields From Kosmos Energy

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: Tullow Completes Takeover Of Oxy’s Interest In Jubilee And TEN Oil Fields From Kosmos Energy
Africa focused independent oil and gas firm, Tullow Oil has announced the complete takeover of Occidental Petroleum’s (Oxy) interests in the Jubilee and TEN fields in Ghana to Kosmos Energy for $118 million. According to Tullow Oil, the cash consideration paid on completion was $118 million reflecting closing adjustments and was funded from cash on the balance sheet. This transaction takes Tullow’s equity interests to 38.9% in the Jubilee field and to 54.8% in the TEN fields and adds c.5 kbopd of unhedged daily production. This equates to c.4 kbopd on an annualised basis and increases 2022 Group production guidance to 59-65 kbopd (30-32 kbopd at Jubilee, 13-14 kbopd at TEN and non-op portfolio unchanged at 16-19 kbopd). This additional equity increases Tullow’s 2022 Group capital expenditure forecast by $30 million to $380 million and is expected to generate c.$300 million incremental free cash flow at $75/bbl between 2022 and 2026. As of 31 December 2021, the transaction increases Tullow’s net 2P reserves by c.21 mmboe (9%) and has an estimated post-tax NPV 10 valuation of $355 million at $75/bbl. Commenting on the transaction, Chief Executive Officer of Tullow Oil Plc Mr. Rahul Dhir, stated “I am delighted that this important transaction has been completed and I am grateful for the continued support of the Government of Ghana and in particular, the honourable minister of Energy whose leadership has been paramount In getting to completion. This transaction underscores our confidence in the assets and meets our objectives of value accretion and deleveraging.”       Source: https://energynewsafrica.com  

IEA Releases Plan To Cut Oil Use By 2.7 Million Bpd

Michael Creg Afful
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The International Energy Agency has released a 10-point plan aimed at reducing global oil consumption by as much as 2.7 million barrels daily. The focus of the measure that the IEA has put forward is on transportation. Measures include encouraging carpooling on inter-urban journeys and the use of alternative modes of transportation such as trains and bicycles. Boosting fuel efficiency by changing driver habits in the freight transport industry is also among the ideas that the IEA is suggesting in a bid to cut oil consumption. So is the idea of reducing speed limits on highways to reduce fuel consumption. According to the agency, some 290,000 bpd in oil demand could be eliminated by reducing speed limits on highways. Another half a million barrels daily of oil could be saved if more people adopt a hybrid work model, staying at home for up to three days a week. Yet another 380,000 bpd of oil consumption could be saved, according to the IEA, if large cities ban cars for one day a week. This has been done before, the agency noted in its report, and it has had the added benefit of stimulating the use of alternative, non-polluting, and non-oil-consuming means of transportation such as bicycles and walking. Lowering public transport prices is also among the measures proposed by the IEA, which noted some cities have done this and have seen increased use of public transport at the expense of private car transport. Encouraging people to walk more instead of driving is also among the ideas of reducing oil consumption. As a result, the IEA says, some 330,000 bpd in oil could be saved. Increased adoption of EVs is also on the list, with the IEA noting that currently, there are supply chain problems that are affecting the uptake of electric vehicles. To address this, the IEA has proposed “facilitating logistical coordination to shore up flows of materials and components.” “As a result of Russia’s appalling aggression against Ukraine, the world may well be facing its biggest oil supply shock in decades, with huge implications for our economies and societies,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “IEA Member Countries have already stepped in to support the global economy with an initial release of millions of barrels of emergency oil stocks, but we can also take action on demand to avoid the risk of a crippling oil crunch,” Dr Birol said. “Our 10-Point Plan shows this can be done through measures that have already been tested and proven in multiple countries.” “France and all European countries must get out of their dependence on fossil fuels, in particular on Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible,” Minister Pompili said. “It is an absolute necessity, for the climate but also for our energy sovereignty. The plan proposed today by the IEA offers some interesting ideas, some of which are in line with our own ideas to reduce our dependence on oil.”  
Ghana Has Robust Regulatory System To Protect Your Investment-NPA CEO To Oil Investors
    Source: Oilprice.com

India Adds 1.2 GW Open Access Solar Capacity In 2021

Michael Creg Afful
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India Adds 1.2 GW Open Access Solar Capacity In 2021
India’s solar open access installations witnessed a sharp growth during 2021 with the country adding 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of open access solar capacity during the year, according to Mercom India. The country had installed 383 megawatt (MW) of open access solar capacity in 2020, the research firm said. Solar power through Open Access is an arrangement where a power producer establishes a solar power plant and signs a medium/long-term power purchase with a consumer. According to the report, Uttar Pradesh topped in installation of open access solar capacities in 2021, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The top five states made up for 80 per cent of the total installations during the year. “Mitigating carbon footprint, reducing the cost of power, renewable power purchase obligations, and RE100 initiatives, the list of reasons for commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers to go green is piling up. “The demand for open access solar is growing, it is reflected in the robust pipeline of projects,” said Priya Sanjay, Managing Director at Mercom India. A subsidiary of US-based Mercom Capital Group, Mercom Communications India is a clean energy research and communications firm with expertise in cleantech markets.      

Eni Pledges More Gas For Europe To Help Cut Reliance On Russia

Michael Creg Afful
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Eni Pledges More Gas For Europe To Help Cut Reliance On Russia
Italian energy group Eni said last Friday it could is could provide extra gas to Europe to help reduce reliance on Russian supplies after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Eni made the pledge as it set out its strategy to 2025, promising investors better returns and vowing to pick up the pace on its climate ambition to be carbon neutral by 2050. “We are leveraging our global upstream business and partnerships with producing countries to find alternative supply opportunities for Europe,” Chief Executive Claudio Descalzi told a conference call. The European Union, which relies on Russia for 40% of its gas and 27% of its oil, has proposed plans to replace nearly two-thirds of Russian gas imports this year and aims to phase out dependence on all Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Eni could provide more than 14 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of additional gas resources in the short to medium term, it said, including from Algeria, which has a pipeline to Italy, and Egypt, where Eni is also active. Eni’s current gas reserves and resources are 50 TCF. Eni could supply 15 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2025, based on boosting production from Congo, Angola, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria and Mozambique. Eni is Africa’s biggest foreign oil and gas producer, has expanded rapidly in the Gulf and is looking to grow in Asia. “We are increasing our gas production and will send to Italy and southern Europe all the gas we have found,” Descalzi said. It said it would cut absolute emissions by 35% by 2030, from 2018 levels, and by 80% by 2040, giving more aggressive targets than previously announced. Plans to list Plenitude, Eni’s renewable energy and retail business, were going ahead despite the Ukraine crisis and a registration document for the process has been filed, it said. The company plans to create a sustainable mobility business combining biofuels and fuel stations, Descalzi said, adding that it was too soon to say if that could be listed. Eni is spinning off assets to help fund its renewables and low-carbon business. It expects to raise 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) from such portfolio management moves to 2025. The company will launch a 1.1 billion euro share buyback, if shareholders back the move in May, with room for more if Brent oil stays above $90 a barrel. Brent was $107 on Friday.
Nigeria Takes The Lead In Exploration, Production And Regulation In 2022
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com  

Liberians Cry Over Rising Fuel Prices, But Government Says Increment Is Motivated By External Factors

Michael Creg Afful
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Liberians have been lamenting over the rising cost of petrol and diesel at the pumps. A gallon of gasoline is now $5.66 while diesel is sold at $6.00 According to Liberians, the current fuel prices have brought untold hardships on them and want the government to do something about it immediately. However, responding to concerns being expressed by the citizens, the Government of Liberia indicated that the recent decision to set a new price structure for petroleum products in the country was not arbitrary, but one motivated by external factors. Liberia’s Minister for Information, Ledgerhood J. Rennie, at a press briefing, said the government acknowledges that the increment is “hard to bite down,” but it is necessary to ensure the constant availability of the products on the market and the stability of the price. “We are hoping that in the next month or so, we can revisit the decision and there can be a decrease,” Minister Rennie said. He explained that the government is aware that the cost of petroleum could hurt the general price level, which is why it is planning to revisit the new price structure in the “soonest possible time.” He frowned on profiteering and hoarding of the products by some unscrupulous people, warning that anyone caught in the acts would be dealt with by the full weight of the law. The Information Minister said the relevant government agencies are working to announce fixed fares for transportation to various locations within 48 hours to avoid hiking the cost. He warned commercial drivers against overcharging passengers. The Deputy Managing Director of the Liberian Petroleum Refining Company, Adrian Hoff, who was at the press briefing, also said importers of petroleum products in the country operate under a Collateral Management Agreement (CMA) that allows them to order products in the country without initially paying cash to the major international suppliers. But he said, once in the country, for products to be lifted from the LPRC storage facility each day and taken to the market, the Liberian importers would have to pay per consignment at the prevailing global rate–thus their clamour for a price increment. Mr Hoff said the Weah-administration has made tough decisions in the past to avoid increasing the cost of petroleum products by cutting levies. “We have met with the President and his biggest concern has been ‘don’t increase the price’.“ Both men said the prices of gasoline and diesel in Liberia is lower than in many countries in the subregion. They urged Liberians to make some adjustments to conform to the current global reality as the government continues discussions with importers so that the brunt of the problem is not felt by Liberians.    

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

                       

Ghana: NEDCo Staff Suspend Withdrawal Of Field Services As PURC Steps In

Michael Creg Afful
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Workers of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) in the Republic of Ghana have suspended the withdrawal of their field services in Tamale and its environs for two weeks pending the resolutions of their grievances. The suspension of the field services follows the intervention of the Executive Secretary of Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr Ishmael Ackah, and the Northern Regional Minister Shani Alhassan Saibu. In a statement issued by Maxwell Kotoka, Corporate Communication Manager of NEDCo to announce the decision of the workers said the workers are demanding the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the machete attacks on the NEDCo team that was on official duty at Korblimahago on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. The staff also demanded the provision of military cover for their field operations, especially those that hinge on revenue collection and protection namely, disconnection, monitoring for power theft and Installation of Smart Pre-Payment meters. The staff further demanded the deepening of ongoing community engagement aimed at community ownership of the security of NEDCo staff while they are on the field embarking on their legitimate duties. The statement said while Management wished to assure the general public that it would not rest on its oars in getting the suspension converted to permanent closure, “we wish to court public support and protection of NEDCo staff while they are about their legitimate field duties. “The cardinal part of NEDCo staff field operations is to prevent or arrest power theft and installation of Smart Pre-Payment meters which has proven to be less susceptible to manipulation and power theft. “We need your unflinching support to continue to serve you dutifully and in harmony,” NEDCo Management urged Tamale residents. The statement commended the efforts of all those who contributed to the resolution of the impasse.       Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Nigeria: Manufacturers Lament Over Rising Fuel Prices, Power Outages; Seek Buhari’s Intervention

Michael Creg Afful
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Nigerian manufacturers are lamenting over the rising cost of fuel in the West African nation with a call on the Federal Government to cushion them as a litre of diesel is now sold at N720 (an equivalent of $1.73). According to the Manufacturers Association, it is getting extremely difficult to produce to serve the country in the face of fuel hikes coupled with load shedding. “There is no power supply. We are having 30 per cent of what it used to be, whereas the disposable income of people is not increasing and the cost of products is going up. “Even in my factory now, we are only running one shift instead of three shifts of eight hours each. Other businesses are also running limited hours on diesel as they cannot afford to use generators all day,” Mr Lanre Popoola, Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo branches said in an interview with the media. According to him, if the situation persisted, it could lead to bigger issues that would further affect the nation’s economy and increase the hardship of Nigerians. He told the press that “The worst part is that diesel suppliers cannot agree for organisations to make a flexible payment plan such as instalments, while they deliver the products in trust. “They cannot, again, supply you with diesel and allow you to pay in two weeks. It is either you do cash and carry, or pay ahead because they too cannot predict the cost of the product. “And I don’t blame them. Imagine you bought diesel last week at N630 per litre and the next day it is sold for N730 per litre. How will you replace your stock,” he said. Popoola stated that the way forward was for the government to assist manufacturers by giving some rebate on diesel, adding that, that was the only lifeline. “Aside from manufacturers, for transporters that are bringing food from the North or taking products to the East or Lagos, now the cost of their logistics would have doubled by 100 per cent if not 200 per cent. “Maybe the government can come in and do a kind of palliative for us. It is either we have light 24 hours per week to run our factories or do a palliative on diesel. “But unfortunately, we don’t produce diesel in this country. If the refineries are working, it is a different ball game: the country would have had it better now if the refineries are working. “So the more the international prices of petroleum products go up, the higher the prices of what we are going to get from them,” Popoola explained.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: MiDA Installs 393 Transformers In 53 Towns, Communities To Improve Power Quality

Michael Creg Afful
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The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has installed 393 new transformers of various capacities and replaced over 88 over-aged ones in 53 towns and communities in six operational districts of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). The six districts are Achimota, Dansoman, Akuapim-Mampong, Legon, Kwabenya and Kaneshie Districts. Since the installation of the new transformers, power supply has improved significantly, leading to reduction in outages. In a statement issued by MiDA, it said almost 600,000 residents, comprising businesses and homes in the six districts are benefiting from the project referred to as the Low Voltage (LV) Bifurcation & Network Improvement Project. The project includes planting over 17,000 wooden electric poles across the six districts, upgrading about 992km of undersized conductors or lines, and installing 75km of new low voltage lines. Prior to the inception of the project, MiDA said residents in the aforementioned districts experienced low and fluctuating voltages which manifested in dim lights and caused damage to electrical appliances. They also suffered frequent power outages caused by overloading in transformers and conductors that served these communities. According to Roland Osei Nyarko, the LV Bifurcation Project Manager at MiDA, “Some of the residents observed that their lights are now brighter and more stable, and that they are now able to use all their electrical appliances anytime of the day.” This, he said, implied that they are noticing the improvements and impact of the project. He said that the project is expected to eventually contribute to improved incomes for the beneficiary residents, enhance job opportunities and the wellbeing of the people, and contribute towards Ghana’s efforts at reducing poverty and increasing economic growth. The LV Bifurcation & Network Improvement Project aims to improve the quality of power supply by transferring load from existing overloaded electricity conductors and transformers to newly installed ones. Construction activities in the Achimota, Dansoman, Kaneshie, Akuapem-Mampong and Kwabenya Districts have been fully-completed. MiDA said activities in the Legon District, which are 85 per cent complete, are scheduled to be fully-completed in May 2022. The contractors undertaking the project are Messrs. Power Factor Ltd, Best & Crompton Engineering Ghana Ltd, and MBH Power Ltd.   Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Nigeria: Let’s Fix Power Sector Devoid Of Blame Games-APGC Tells Nigerian Gov’t

Peter Adofo Asante
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Power Generation Companies (GenCos) in the Republic of Nigeria have called on government agencies in the power sector to desist from engaging in blame game and put their heads together with the private sector to resolve the myriads of challenges in the sector to ensure reliable and quality power supply to the citizens. The West African nation has been experiencing a power crisis for several years. The situation has been compounded by the persistent collapse of the transmission grid operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Last week, TCN sought to absorb itself of blame and rather blamed the power sector challenges in the country on low generation from the power generation companies. In a sharp rebuttal, the Association of Power Generation Companies, at a press conference addressed by its Executive Secretary, Dr Joy Ogaji, urged TCN to stop the blame game else the power sector would continue to suffer. “Gencos have been under the excruciating impact of several factors but have in an uncommon show of patriotism and resilience continued to generate power to meet the genuine yearnings of Nigerians as well as support to the stated objective of the Federal Government to make sustainable electricity available to Nigerians,” she said. According to the group, lack of liquidity caused by the huge sums owned Gencos by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Pic (NBET) has more than ever before continued to frustrate the Gencos and kept them incapable of meeting their obligations which are extremely necessary to keep their power plant running and make capacities available while observing required Health Safely and Environment (HSF) Standards. Again, APGC pointed out that 80 per cent of most of the electricity generation in Nigeria comes from gas-fired turbines, and natural gas is the feedback or fuel of these unending gas-related challenges which inhibit optimal power generation in the country. To address this challenge, the group pointed out the unenforceable state of the contracts in the NESI and the broken cycle of payment assurance which has made the enforcement of parties to the industry agreement impossible. They furthermore stressed that since 2013, when the power sector was partially privatised to date, weak and inadequate infrastructure (transmission and distribution) have continued to render inconsequential, a significant portion of the generation capacities. They said that while Gencos are committed to increasing generation capacities to 13,000MW across the country, no corresponding investment and improvement was made at the transmission and distribution end. Members of the Nigerian power generation companies pointed out that the restriction or redefinition of available generation capacity, a major index of the MYTO to only what the system can take or pay, is a major aberration. “This is because the Gencos worked with available capacity as the basis for determination capacity payments,” the group said. The group said that the government must stop playing to the gallery and rather focus on addressing the real issues of NESI, asking if the reported low generation of the past few weeks, which in their view is only symptomatic of more fundamental issues of the power sector, is focused on and addressed from a narrow perspective of blaming the Gencos for same, then, the solution cannot be found. APGC concluded by stressing that they have consistently demonstrated their commitment to Nigeria, Nigerians and the power sector and “We have continued to make huge sacrifices and bear inestimable losses in our bid to see to a viral and thriving power sector in Nigeria”.       Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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