Germany: Ukrainian Arrested Over Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions
German prosecutors have announced the arrest of a Ukrainian national as a suspect in the alleged attack on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which transported Russian gas to Europe in September 2022.
According to the prosecutors, the suspect was detained near Rimini, Italy. In a statement, they thanked their Italian counterparts and other international law enforcement agencies for their assistance.
Authorities said the individual, identified only as Serhii K. in accordance with German privacy laws, was part of a group that planted explosives on the pipelines and is believed to have helped coordinate the attack. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig praised the “impressive success” that led to the overnight arrest, calling for the case to proceed until all suspects had been detained.
Danish authorities detected a series of underwater explosions on September 26, 2022, near Nord Stream infrastructure. The suspected sabotage resulted in gas leaks, rendering three pipelines inoperable.
At the time of the attack in September 2022, the pipelines were filled with gas but not operational, as part of early sanctions against the Russian government.
Seen by both Russia and the West as an act of sabotage, no one has ever taken responsibility for the explosions. Nord Stream 1 and 2 were among 23 pipelines that delivered Russian gas to Europe before the invasion.
Because the explosions occurred in Swedish and Danish waters on German-owned equipment, all three countries launched investigations.
In August 2024, German authorities concluded their initial investigation and issued an arrest warrant for the suspected ringleader, a Ukrainian national identified as Volodymyr Z.
Officials said he had been living in Poland and had chartered a German yacht to carry out the attack. The Ukrainian government has vehemently denied any involvement in the incident.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Uganda: Gov’t Cut Down Cost Of Electricity Connection Fee To Boost Access
The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), has launched a nationwide initiative aimed at making the cost of connecting electricity from the national grid cheaper for citizens.
Under the new initiative, those who want to connect electricity from the national grid will pay just Shs 23,000, a significant drop from the previous fee of Shs 750,000.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Minister for Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to extending electricity to all Ugandans.
According to her, the program aims to transform lives, boost economic activity, and lift communities out of poverty.
“This initiative is a cornerstone of our national development strategy,” Nankabirwa said.
“Access to affordable and reliable electricity is crucial for economic growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods. We will not tolerate those who seek to undermine this progress through illegal activities such as power theft.”
Currently, Uganda’s electricity access stands at about 60 percent, including households using solar power.
The government’s long-term goal is to achieve universal access by the next decade.
Commenting on the program, Managing Director of Ugandan Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Mr. Paul Mwesiggwa, said the new pricing structure was designed to remove inefficiencies and corruption that resulted in inflated costs of connection in the past.
“This streamlined process eliminates many of the bureaucratic hurdles and opportunities for bribery. We now have a system that ensures transparency and accountability,” he said.
He added that the initiative would also curb electricity theft, a persistent challenge that undermines the sector’s financial stability.
Some Ugandans have hailed the initiative and praised the government for it.
“For years, we lived in darkness. Now my family and neighbors can access electricity, and it will help us in business and improve education for our children,” one resident said, as cited by Nile Post.
The reduced cost of connection is expected to stimulate growth in rural areas, empower small businesses, and improve living standards by making electricity more accessible than ever before.
“This initiative must not only light homes but also light the way for accountability,” one community leader in Bukomero said, urging vigilance to ensure fairness and sustainability.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Commenting on the program, Managing Director of Ugandan Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Mr. Paul Mwesiggwa, said the new pricing structure was designed to remove inefficiencies and corruption that resulted in inflated costs of connection in the past.
“This streamlined process eliminates many of the bureaucratic hurdles and opportunities for bribery. We now have a system that ensures transparency and accountability,” he said.
He added that the initiative would also curb electricity theft, a persistent challenge that undermines the sector’s financial stability.
Some Ugandans have hailed the initiative and praised the government for it.
“For years, we lived in darkness. Now my family and neighbors can access electricity, and it will help us in business and improve education for our children,” one resident said, as cited by Nile Post.
The reduced cost of connection is expected to stimulate growth in rural areas, empower small businesses, and improve living standards by making electricity more accessible than ever before.
“This initiative must not only light homes but also light the way for accountability,” one community leader in Bukomero said, urging vigilance to ensure fairness and sustainability.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Nigeria: NERC Appointments And Matters Arising
By: Adetayo Adegbemle
The controversial installation of Engineer Abdullahi Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has sent shockwaves through the nation’s power sector, revealing deep fractures in governance and threatening to shatter fragile investor confidence.
Ramat’s dramatic arrival at NERC headquarters on August 8, 2025—reportedly flanked by political supporters and security personnel—wasn’t merely a leadership transition; it was a constitutional crisis unfolding in real-time. His forceful takeover, displacing acting leadership despite lacking Senate confirmation and occurring after a retracted presidential directive, blatantly violates the NERC Act (2005). This act mandates legislative approval for such appointments, making Ramat’s resumption an assault on institutional integrity.
The presidency’s subsequent clarification, stating his nomination remained “subject to Senate confirmation” with the acting chairman retaining authority until then, only highlighted the illegitimacy of the power grab. With the Senate recessed until late September, the vacuum invites legal chaos, potentially nullifying future critical decisions on tariffs or licenses.
The reaction from investors and industry stakeholders has been one of undisguised alarm. An anonymous executive starkly characterized the takeover as “not just illegal—it’s dangerous,” emphasizing the erosion of confidence for those with “billions at stake.”
This sentiment resonates deeply. International partners view independent, rule-based regulation as non-negotiable for capital deployment, especially in a sector grappling with a severe liquidity crisis and the ever-present threat of grid collapse.
Ramat’s entry, perceived as regulatory capture orchestrated by shadowy political figures, signals that NERC—the crucial referee—may now be compromised.
For the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), heavily reliant on foreign investment, this incident risks transforming the sector into a politically toxic asset class, freezing urgently needed investments in generation and distribution infrastructure.
While Ramat, aged 39, brings credentials suggesting potential for modernization—a PhD in Strategic Management, experience with blockchain-driven revenue systems, and energy-efficient initiatives from his tenure as Ungogo LGA chairman—his legitimacy is fatally undermined.
His lack of direct power-sector experience is compounded by the reliance on political patronage rather than due process for his installation. His popular pledge to compel DisCos and GenCos to “do the right thing” and end consumer exploitation through opaque billing resonates with a frustrated public.
However, without confirmed authority, any enforcement actions risk judicial nullification, further delaying essential tariff reforms and consumer protections. Internally, NERC staff reportedly resent the “forceful takeover,” fracturing cohesion and crippling ongoing projects.
The commission’s core function—impartial arbitration between consumers, generators, and distributors—is now severely compromised by the chairman’s contested legitimacy.
Restoring stability demands decisive action. First, President Tinubu must publicly and unequivocally reaffirm that Ramat remains only a nominee until Senate confirmation, distancing the administration from this constitutional overreach.
Second, the Senate must expedite Ramat’s confirmation hearing upon its return on September 23, subjecting his competence and commitment to NERC’s statutory independence to rigorous scrutiny. Finally, Ramat himself must immediately convene investors, consumer advocates, and utilities, pledging adherence to proper governance and outlining a transparent agenda to rebuild trust.
In essence, Nigeria’s power sector stands on a precipice. Ramat’s academic promise is overshadowed by the blatant politicization his accession represents – a recurring malaise crippling NESI. Without an immediate course correction, this crisis will paralyze regulatory progress and broadcast a damning verdict: that Nigeria’s institutions remain subservient to raw political will.
As one industry leader starkly observed, “NERC is a regulator, not a battleground.” The resolution of this impasse will either catalyze long-overdue reform or entrench a decay that investors simply cannot afford to ignore.
The lights of Nigeria’s economic future flicker uncertainly in the balance.
Adetayo Adegbemle is an Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria is a leading power sector advocacy organization championing universal access to sustainable energy and resilient infrastructure. Through policy engagement, community empowerment, and partnerships, we strive to eradicate energy poverty and drive equitable development nationwide.
Ghana: Ghana Gas CEO Says Atuabo Plant Maintenance To Be Completed Within Deadline
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Gas Company Limited, Judith Adjoba Blay, has assured Ghanaians and the Energy Minister that her outfit will complete the planned maintenance work of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant ahead of the 10-day deadline and resume gas supply for power generation.
Mrs. Blay gave the assurance during a visit to the operational office of Ghana Gas in Takoradi by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Jinapor, to inspect the progress of work following the shutdown of the gas processing plant on Saturday, August 16, 2025, for maintenance.
The maintenance work is expected to be completed on August 30, 2025. The Atuabo Gas Processing Plant supplies about 120 mmscf of gas for power generation. Besides the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, Eni’s Offshore Gas Receiving Facility supplies 270 mmscf of gas, with additional gas from Nigeria for power generation.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Adjoba Blay stated, “We want to remain conservative; we will surprise you and call you even before the 10 days to tell you that the plant is back on.” She explained that some maintenance works are carried out over 5-to-10-year periods, while others are major and some have never been undertaken before.
The maintenance shutdown is a routine procedure aimed at enhancing the plant’s performance and preventing future disruptions. The Ministry assured the public that measures are in place to mitigate potential impacts on power supply, including the strategic deployment of alternative fuel sources.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Togo: Zener Energy Raises $24 Million To Acquire Assets In Guinea-Bissau
Togolese energy group Zener International Holding (ZIH) has raised CFA13.5 billion (equivalent of $24,042,742.65) through EDC Investment Corporation (EIC), a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), to acquire assets in Guinea-Bissau.
The funds will enable Zener to acquire the assets of Petrogal Guinea-Bissau, previously owned by Portugal’s Galp Energia, including a network of petrol stations, strategic fuel and gas depots, and aviation storage facilities across the country.
“Taking over Petrogal GB means establishing a long-term foothold in a high-potential market and promoting a vision of locally invested, forward-looking energy,” said Jonas Aklesso Daou, President of ZIH.
According to Ecobank, the transaction aligns with its ambition to support African-led economic growth. “By facilitating this takeover, we are affirming our commitment to supporting visionary African companies in key sectors,” said Paul-Harry Aithnard, Ecobank’s Regional Executive Director for the West and Central African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
Ecobank collaborated with other regional financial institutions to complete the operation. The West African Development Bank (BOAD) contributed CFA5 billion in June, highlighting the scale of pooled financing behind the deal.
This transaction reflects a growing trend: global energy majors are gradually reducing their footprint in Africa while regional firms like Zener expand.
Analysts see this as part of broader pan-African growth and integration.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: NPA Urges Public To Secure LPG Cylinders Safely During Transportation
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has advised the public to ensure that filled LPG cylinders are transported in a safe and secure position. According to the NPA, this helps avoid over-pressurization, which could damage the pressure relief valve, leading to gas leaks or even explosions.
The Head of Consumer Services at the National Petroleum Authority, Eunice Budu Nyarko, emphasized this during an LPG safety campaign in tertiary schools in the Upper West Region. She highlighted that cylinders should ideally be transported in an upright position to minimize risks.
“Consumers of petroleum products, especially LPG, must prioritize safety,” she stated. “Ignoring safety measures could result in fire outbreaks at homes and workplaces, leading to loss of lives, injuries, and damage to properties.”
Answering a question about the risk of wrong fuel dispensing at filling stations, Mrs. Budu Nyarko urged motorists to always confirm the type of fuel they are purchasing with attendants.
She also advised paying attention to color-coded fuel nozzles: red for petrol (Super), black for diesel, and green for high-octane (RON 95) products.
Abraham Dauda, the NPA’s Upper West Regional Supervisor for Inspections and Monitoring, warned students against using mobile phones while cooking and stressed adherence to safety protocols.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of Dr. Hilla Liman Technical University, Prof. Hamidatu Saaka Darimani, suggested that Ghana adopt Burkina Faso’s system of purchasing cylinders from licensed outlets only.
This, she believes, would protect consumers from unknowingly buying repainted or substandard cylinders.
While commending the NPA for its ongoing public sensitization efforts, Prof. Darimani stressed that safety goes beyond fire prevention; it requires a deeper understanding of the risks posed by negligence.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ukrainian Attack Cuts Power In Russia-Controlled Zaporizhzhia
A Ukrainian drone attack late on Tuesday knocked out power to areas of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region under Russian control, the Moscow-installed governor said.
Russian forces hold well over half of Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine’s southeast.
But Kyiv maintains control of the region’s main administrative centre and its attacks have periodically knocked out electricity in Russian-held areas.
Russia in 2022 annexed the Zaporizhzhia region, along with neighbouring Kherson as well as Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine’s east, about seven months after invading its smaller neighbour.
“The reason for the power cuts in Zaporizhzhia region is yet another enemy terrorist drone attack on high-voltage equipment,” Moscow-appointed Governor Yevgeny Balitsky wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Balitsky said repair crews were restoring power and switching affected areas to reserve lines. He said the work was made more difficult “by the danger of repeat strikes and by darkness”.
Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks knocked out power in June for more than 24 hours to at least 700,000 residents across the area. That attack appeared to be the largest of its kind on Russian-held territory since the war began.
The Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, Europe’s largest with six reactors, was operating as normal, unaffected by the power cuts, the plant’s director of communications, Yevgenia Yashina, told Russia’s RIA news agency.
The plant produces no electricity but needs power for cooling and monitoring systems to maintain safety. Ukraine and Russia regularly accuse each other of staging attacks on the plant, seized by Russian forces in the first weeks of the February 2022 invasion.
In the part of Kherson region under Ukrainian control, Governor Vyacheslav Prokudin said in a Telegram post that Russian shelling killed a resident of a small town north of the regional capital.
And the governor of Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, to the north, Serhiy Lysak, also said on Telegram that Russian shelling killed a resident of Nikopol, a frequent target of Moscow’s attacks on the north bank of the Dnipro River.
Source: Reuters.com
Ghana: VRA Announces Resumption Of Public Visits To Its Generating Stations
The Volta River Authority, Ghana’s largest state-owned power generation company, has announced the resumption of public visits to its generating stations for students, professionals, stakeholders, and the general public.
VRA operates the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric power dams, with a total generation capacity of 1,180 MW.
Besides hydropower, VRA also operates solar plants in Lawra, Kaleo, and Navrongo.
According to a statement signed by David Adomako Mensah, Director of Corporate Affairs & External Relations Department, the initiative aims to foster transparency, public engagement, and education about the company’s operations and contribution to Ghana’s energy sector.
“All visits will be carefully coordinated to ensure the safety of both visitors and staff, preserve the operational integrity of our installations, and comply with all relevant regulatory requirements.”
To streamline the process, a Generation Facility Visit Policy has been developed.
To schedule a tour, a formal request must be made in a letter addressed to the Chief Executive, sent at least 10 working days prior to the requested visit date.
Once approved, visitors will be notified of the necessary processes and protocols, including identification requirements, visit protocols, and fees charged per age and/or category.
VRA remains committed to adding value to lives while maintaining the highest safety standards as it powers economies.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya: Germany And EU Provide €52 Million Funding For KenGen’s Gogo Hydropower Plant Redevelopment And Green Resilient Electricity Project
Kenya has signed an agreement with the governments of Germany and the European Union to secure funding for the redevelopment of KenGen’s Gogo Hydropower Plant and the Green Resilient Electricity System Project (GRESP).
The German Government, through KfW, is committing €35 million, while the European Union (EU) is committing €17.94 million towards these transformative projects.
The agreement was signed by the National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary, Hon. FCPA John Mbadi, on behalf of Kenya.
The initiatives will enhance power reliability in Western and Nyanza regions, reduce grid losses, support industries, and strengthen the country’s energy security. The upgrade of the Gogo Hydropower Plant, to be implemented by KenGen Kenya, will expand its generation capacity from 2 MW to 8.6 MW.
This marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s clean energy journey and underscores KenGen’s continued role as a driver of sustainable growth and industrialization in the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The initiatives will enhance power reliability in Western and Nyanza regions, reduce grid losses, support industries, and strengthen the country’s energy security. The upgrade of the Gogo Hydropower Plant, to be implemented by KenGen Kenya, will expand its generation capacity from 2 MW to 8.6 MW.
This marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s clean energy journey and underscores KenGen’s continued role as a driver of sustainable growth and industrialization in the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Zambia: Gov’t Breaks Ground For $80M Chipata Solar Power Project
Zambia has performed a groundbreaking ceremony for the commencement of the Chipata West 100-megawatt (MW) solar power project, as part of plans to address the ongoing load shedding necessitated by drought, which reduced inflows into the Kariba hydroelectric power dam. The project, estimated at $80 million, is expected to be completed in 12 months.
The south-central African nation is hoping to develop solar power projects with the capacity to generate 1,000 megawatts. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in the Eastern Province, the Minister for Energy, Makozo Chikote, in a speech read for him by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr. Lewis Mwape, described the project as a beacon of progress under President Hakainde Hichilema’s New Dawn Government, noting that the development comes less than two months after the commissioning of the Chisamba 100MW solar plant.
“This project will provide clean electricity to surrounding communities, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigate the impact of climate change. It is a true demonstration of our President’s vision for a fully electrified Zambia where solar contributes significantly,” the Minister said.
He outlined the government’s Solar Explosion initiative, aimed at expanding renewable energy generation, improving access to clean power, and reducing Zambia’s carbon footprint. Under the initiative, ZESCO has already rolled out solar projects in Chisamba and Serenje, with similar plants planned nationwide.
He also highlighted key reforms driving energy sector growth, including: Net Metering Regulations, Electricity Open Access Regulations and Energy Single Licensing System.
To further improve electricity access, Minister Chikote pointed to the National Electricity Advancement Transformation (NEAT) programme, which has reduced connection fees from K4,864 to K300, with the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) covering the difference.
“This means many families and small businesses who could not previously afford power will now switch on their lights,” he said.
“With projects like this, we are moving together toward a brighter, safer, more connected Zambia.”
The Chief Operations Officer of ZESCO, Mr. Peter Chamfya, reaffirmed the utility’s commitment to scaling up renewable energy, saying ZESCO is working with the private sector, including China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), and to implement the Chipata West project to help reduce the current power deficit.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
He also highlighted key reforms driving energy sector growth, including: Net Metering Regulations, Electricity Open Access Regulations and Energy Single Licensing System.
To further improve electricity access, Minister Chikote pointed to the National Electricity Advancement Transformation (NEAT) programme, which has reduced connection fees from K4,864 to K300, with the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) covering the difference.
“This means many families and small businesses who could not previously afford power will now switch on their lights,” he said.
“With projects like this, we are moving together toward a brighter, safer, more connected Zambia.”
The Chief Operations Officer of ZESCO, Mr. Peter Chamfya, reaffirmed the utility’s commitment to scaling up renewable energy, saying ZESCO is working with the private sector, including China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), and to implement the Chipata West project to help reduce the current power deficit.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ukrainian Drones Hit Another Russian Oil Refinery
A Lukoil refinery in the Russian city of Volgograd is on fire after being hit by Ukrainian drones overnight, Andrey Bocharov, governor of the Volgograd region, said on Tuesday.
The Volgograd refinery is Lukoil’s second-biggest crude processing facility in Russia and a key fuel supplier to the southern federal district in the country.
Russia has said it had shot down 13 Ukrainian drones over the Volgograd region on August 19, the Kyiv Independent reports.
The attack on the Volgograd refinery is the latest in a series of at least half a dozen drone strikes at refineries in Russia from Ukraine since the beginning of August.
Hours before the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska last week, Ukraine said it had struck an oil refinery in Russia and a Caspian port that Moscow uses to ship weapons from Iran for the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine said it attacked the Syzran refinery, owned by oil giant Rosneft and located in Russia’s Samara region, about 500 miles from the Ukrainian border with Russia.
The refinery, one of the largest in Rosneft’s network, produces a wide range of fuels and supplies fuel to the Russian army, the Ukrainian army said last Friday.
The Tuesday attack on Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery came hours after talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, where the Ukrainian President was accompanied by the leaders of the most influential European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.
Following the talks and renewed prospects of peace in Ukraine, oil prices continued to slide on Tuesday, in anticipation of potential trilateral Trump-Zelenskyy-Putin talks that could result in a peace deal.
That would likely also result in the lifting of sanctions on Russian crude, making more of it available on global markets.
Meanwhile, Russia is set to boost its export of crude in the coming weeks, due to attacks on its refineries and halts to oil processing at these.
Source: Oilprice.com
Ghana: GRIDCo Gets New Board
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed a seven-member board of directors for the Ghana Grid Company Limited. The new board is chaired by Mrs. Kuukua Maurice Ankrah, Esq.
The new board includes Ing. Mark Awuah Baah (Acting CEO of GRIDCo), Ing. Daniel Atchule, Mr. Joshua Anaman Sackey, Mr. Muhammed Bashiru Nii Narh Alema, Hon. Solomon Kuyon, and Hon. Joseph Kwame Kumah.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, underscored the importance of strengthening the national grid to improve power transmission across the country.
He noted that Ghana’s rising power demand requires continuous investment in both generation and transmission infrastructure.
“There is a critical need to expand the grid with additional facilities to evacuate power efficiently and reliably,” the Minister stressed.
He charged the new Board to work diligently to ensure that GRIDCo delivers on its mandate of maintaining a robust and reliable transmission network to support Ghana’s economic growth.
The Energy Minister expressed confidence in the Board’s capacity to provide strategic direction and oversight, adding that a strengthened grid system is essential for reliable electricity supply to homes, businesses, and industries nationwide.
The Chairperson, Mrs. Kuukua Maurice Ankrah, Esq., expressed her commitment to the task ahead, pledging to work diligently to meet the government’s objectives.
She acknowledged the importance of GRIDCo in ensuring reliable power transmission and contributing to Ghana’s economic development.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
He noted that Ghana’s rising power demand requires continuous investment in both generation and transmission infrastructure.
“There is a critical need to expand the grid with additional facilities to evacuate power efficiently and reliably,” the Minister stressed.
He charged the new Board to work diligently to ensure that GRIDCo delivers on its mandate of maintaining a robust and reliable transmission network to support Ghana’s economic growth.
The Energy Minister expressed confidence in the Board’s capacity to provide strategic direction and oversight, adding that a strengthened grid system is essential for reliable electricity supply to homes, businesses, and industries nationwide.
The Chairperson, Mrs. Kuukua Maurice Ankrah, Esq., expressed her commitment to the task ahead, pledging to work diligently to meet the government’s objectives.
She acknowledged the importance of GRIDCo in ensuring reliable power transmission and contributing to Ghana’s economic development.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com US: Trump Administration Bans Solar On Farmland
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has banned the use of farmland for the construction of solar installations, effective immediately.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the decision on X, saying, “Millions of acres of prime farmland is left unusable so Green New Deal subsidized solar panels can be built. This destruction of our farms and prime soil is taking away the futures of the next generation of farmers and the future of our country.”
“Starting today, @USDA will no longer deploy programs to fund solar or wind projects on productive farmland, ending massive taxpayer handouts. Also ENDING the use of panels made by foreign adversaries like China.”
Building solar installations on farmland has become a popular practice in the U.S. and, more recently, in the UK as well, as in other parts of Europe.
Solar developers can offer farmers more money to lease their land for solar than they would make from farming it, which has motivated many to accept such deals.
Yet concern about this trend has been growing as well, since farmland is used to literally produce food, and replacing food production with electricity production has sparked concerns about food security.
Reuters reports that the Department of Agriculture had previously funded over $2 billion worth of wind and energy projects via its Rural Energy for America program.
The publication also cited figures from 2020 as showing the amount of farmland “affected” by wind and solar stood at a total of 424,000 acres, which was less than 0.05% of the nation’s total farmland, which in turn stood at close to 900 million acres, again per Department of Agriculture data.
However, chances are that the amount affected by wind and solar has grown since 2020, with the Biden administration’s complete support for all forms of alternative energy with a special focus on wind and solar.
Source: Oilprice.com
Nigeria: Prez Tinubu Commissions WAGL’s 40,000 CBM LPG Vessel In South Korea
Nigeria is poised to deliver clean and sustainable energy solutions not just in-country but also across Africa and beyond, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to a press release by NNPC Limited.
He made these remarks at the commissioning ceremony of a 40,000 cubic meters (CBM) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, christened “MT Iyaloja (Lagos),” in Ulsan, South Korea, on Monday, August 18, 2025.
The vessel, owned by WAGL Energy Limited (an NNPC Ltd./Sahara Group Joint Venture), is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier. This latest addition brings WAGL’s total LPG vessel capacity to 162,000 CBM. Other vessels in the fleet include MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet.
Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the President commended WAGL Energy Limited, NNPC Limited, and Sahara Group for their strategic foresight, technical excellence, and unwavering dedication to expanding Africa’s role in the global clean energy value chain.
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described WAGL’s LPG vessel as a great addition to gas development efforts in Nigeria.
The GCEO, represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, added that the vessel would be crucial in realizing the impact of gas in Nigeria’s economic development.
According to him, NNPC Ltd. is deepening its commitment to ensuring LPG affordability, availability, and access nationwide.
“NNPC Ltd. is proud to be a major shareholder in this indigenous company, which, in addition to the newly commissioned MT Iyaloja (Lagos), owns four other LPG vessels in its growing fleet, delivering over 6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last 5 years,” he added.
Also speaking, WAGL’s Chairman/Executive Director at Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, noted that the company’s expansion demonstrates its vision of responsibly driving efforts aimed at bridging the continent’s critical energy infrastructure gap.
“The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honor. Sahara Group is proud of its partnership with NNPC Ltd. and reaffirms its commitment to partnerships that drive energy access in Africa,” he added.
WAGL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello, stressed that the company is dedicated to expanding its integrated supply network across the entire energy value chain.
“WAGL already has plans to further expand the fleet within the next two years with the addition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC),” he added.
The symbolic ribbon-cutting of MT Iyaloja (Lagos), named in honor of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, MFR (the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu), was a performed by her granddaughter, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described WAGL’s LPG vessel as a great addition to gas development efforts in Nigeria.
The GCEO, represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, added that the vessel would be crucial in realizing the impact of gas in Nigeria’s economic development.
According to him, NNPC Ltd. is deepening its commitment to ensuring LPG affordability, availability, and access nationwide.
“NNPC Ltd. is proud to be a major shareholder in this indigenous company, which, in addition to the newly commissioned MT Iyaloja (Lagos), owns four other LPG vessels in its growing fleet, delivering over 6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last 5 years,” he added.
Also speaking, WAGL’s Chairman/Executive Director at Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, noted that the company’s expansion demonstrates its vision of responsibly driving efforts aimed at bridging the continent’s critical energy infrastructure gap.
“The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honor. Sahara Group is proud of its partnership with NNPC Ltd. and reaffirms its commitment to partnerships that drive energy access in Africa,” he added.
WAGL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello, stressed that the company is dedicated to expanding its integrated supply network across the entire energy value chain.
“WAGL already has plans to further expand the fleet within the next two years with the addition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC),” he added.
The symbolic ribbon-cutting of MT Iyaloja (Lagos), named in honor of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, MFR (the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu), was a performed by her granddaughter, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com