The Czech Republic has ended its 60-year-long dependence on Russian oil supply after capacity upgrades on a pipeline from the west.
For the first time ever, the Czech Republic is now independent from Russian oil pipeline deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline.
The Druzhba pipeline carries Russian crude to Central Europe. The pipeline is a key artery of oil supply from Russia to Europe, with two branches – a northern one via Belarus that supplies Belarus, Poland, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania, and a southern one passing through Ukraine and sending oil to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia.
Flows through the Druzhba pipeline were exempted from the EU embargo on imports of Russian crude oil by sea that came into effect on December 5, 2022. The EU has exempted pipeline oil flows to landlocked EU member states from the ban.
The Czech Republic, however, decided in 2022 to work to free itself of Russian oil supply and began a project to expand the capacity of the Trans Alpine (TAL) pipeline in a project called TAL PLUS. The plan is to boost oil supply to the Czech Republic from Italy.
The upgrade of the TAL pipeline and the project to link the Italian port of Trieste with central Europe have made it possible for the Czech Republic to stop relying on Russia for its oil supply.
The first batch of increased volumes from the west has reached the central oil depot in the country, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Thursday.
“For the first time in history, the Czech Republic is completely supplied by non-Russian oil, and fully supplied through western routes,” Fiala was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Czech pipeline operator MERO will now transport the crude to Orlen Unipetrol for processing at the Litvinov refinery, one of the country’s two processing facilities, MERO chief executive Jaroslav Pantucek said today.
Source: Oilprice.com
Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tullow Overseas Holdings BV, has signed a heads of terms agreement with Gulf Energy Ltd (the “Buyer”) to sell Tullow Kenya BV, which holds Tullow’s entire working interests in Kenya, for a total consideration of at least $120 million.
In a statement, Tullow said the sale will be split into a $40 million payment due on completion, $40 million payable at the earlier of Field Development Plan (FDP) approval or June 30, 2026, and $40 million payable over five years from the third quarter of 2028 onwards.
Additionally, Tullow will be entitled to royalty payments subject to certain conditions. Tullow will also retain a back-in right for a 30% participation in potential future development phases at no cost.
The transaction is accretive to both equity and leverage and further accelerates Tullow’s deleveraging process.
This transaction will constitute a significant transaction for the purposes of UKLR 7 of the UK Listing Rules (effective as of July 29, 2024). Richard Miller, Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Tullow, commented: “Today’s announcement marks another step forward in Tullow’s accelerated deleveraging journey, with near-term cash receipts of $80 million and mitigating significant capital exposure, while retaining a material option on the future development of the project. I am confident that the proceeds from this transaction, coupled with the $300 million from the disposal of our assets in Gabon, position the business strongly for a successful refinancing.
“We look forward to working with Gulf Energy, who have the requisite financing to complete the transaction and are a strong and credible counterparty, and by doing so, unlock material value for the people of Kenya.”
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria has reduced electricity export to the military junta-led Niger Republic from 80 megawatts to 46 megawatts, Sahara Reporters has reported, citing Niger’s Energy Minister Haoua Amadou.
According to Amadou, Nigeria’s decision has resulted in power cuts in Niger’s capital, Niamey.
Local report suggests that the Nigerien electricity production had fallen by 30 to 50 per cent, forcing the state-owned power company, Nigelec, to impose planned outages that can last several days, especially in Niamey.
Nigeria had suspended much of its electricity exports to the West African nation as part of regional sanctions against the military junta that ousted civilian President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
“Nigeria has since resumed electricity delivery but only providing 46 megawatts instead of the usual 80 megawatts,” Amadou said.
Earlier this week, the Association of Power Generation Companies in Nigeria (GenCos) raised the alarm over a looming shutdown of electricity plants nationwide due to a staggering N4trillion debt owed by the Nigerian government.
In a statement issued by Colonel Sani Bello, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), on Monday, the GenCos revealed that they are currently owed N2 trillion for electricity supplied in 2024, along with an additional N1.9 trillion in legacy debts.
The companies lamented that they receive less than 30 per cent of their monthly invoices for power supplied to the national grid, which severely hampers their ability to sustain operations.
“The power generation companies have continued to bear the brunt of the liquidity crisis in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
“Despite significant investments and efforts to ramp up capacity, GenCos faces systemic constraints, unfriendly policies, and mounting debts without a clear repayment plan. The absence of firm contracts and a securitized market has further complicated financial planning,” the statement read.
The GenCos warned that the liquidity crisis could lead to a total collapse of the electricity value chain, resulting in widespread blackouts.
“The 2024 collection rate has dropped below 30%, and 2025 is not any better, severely affecting GenCos’ ability to meet financial obligations,” the statement added.
According to the statement, other challenges include high corporate taxes, regulatory fees, and foreign exchange volatility, all of which have further strained revenues.
The companies noted that despite fully supplying electricity, they are not being fully paid— even after the Partial Activation of Contracts in NESI since July 2022.
The GenCos urged the Nigerian government to take immediate action to prevent a total shutdown, warning that such a scenario could escalate into a national security crisis.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Juapong District has organised a seminar to equip staff with essential security and safety tips.
The seminar, held at the District Office on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, was attended by many ECG staff members.
The seminar aimed to enhance staff awareness and preparedness in handling potential threats and risks during their fieldwork.
The Keynote Speaker, Chief Inspector Eugene Osafo Obiri, in-charge of Juapong, Frankadua, Nudu, Apegusu, Mpakadan, and surrounding areas at the Ghana Police Service, emphasized the importance of good customer relations.
He advised staff to exercise patience and restraint when dealing with difficult customers.
He also warned staff about individuals who impersonate ECG officials to extort money from customers and stressed the need for staff to wear proper attire and display their identity cards when interacting with customers.
Ing. William Ahenkorah, District Manager for ECG Juapong District, reminded staff that ECG has transitioned to cashless payments and instructed them to educate customers on how to make payments without cash.
He cautioned staff against accepting cash payments from customers, emphasizing that such actions could lead to disciplinary measures, including job loss.
The seminar was well-received by staff, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and enhance their safety and security protocols.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
The National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) and TotalEnergies Angola have commenced the conversion of a new Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit, named Kaminho, in Natong, China.
This milestone marks the first development in the Kwanza basin, a new oil and gas source for Angola.
The Kaminho FPSO will utilize advanced technology with high standards of quality, health, safety, and environment.
According to Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, this project will be the company’s seventh FPSO in Angola and the first-ever development in the Kwanza basin.
The FPSO is designed to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate routine flaring, with associated gas being fully reinjected into the reservoirs.
The Kaminho project is a result of collaboration between TotalEnergies, Petronas, and Sonangol, with the ANPG serving as the concessionaire.
The project will involve over 10 million man-hours in Angola, mainly with offshore operations and construction at local yards.
TotalEnergies and Sonangol have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share expertise on Research & Technology, focusing on decarbonization and methane emissions reduction.
Commenting Paulino Jerónimo, Chairman of the Board of ANPG said: “The first development in the maritime zone of the Kwanza basin is important to showcase the opening of new oil frontiers in Angola, and it’s part of our strategy to keep Angola on the top of African oil producers, bringing important income to our economy.”
Diamantino de Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil & Gas (MIREMPET) Highlighted the importance of the partnership between TotalEnergies, Sonangol, and Petronas in making the Kaminho project possible.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana has officially commissioned a mini-grid project in three island communities with a total capacity of 253.26 kWp in the Ada East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
The project, funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) at a cost of $2.3 million, will provide electricity access to over 3,700 residents in the three island communities. The three island communities benefiting from the mini-grids are Alorkpem, Azizakpe, and Aflivie.
Although sod-cutting for the project was done on October 6, 2020, some issues delayed the project’s completion schedule.
The project was executed by Messrs Techno Trama Ambienta of Spain.
Commissioning the mini-grid project, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, stated that the project testifies to the government’s unwavering commitment to bridging the energy access gap for all Ghanaians, regardless of their location.
This project is part of Ghana’s efforts to increase electricity access in isolated communities, particularly island communities along the Volta Lake.
https://energynewsafrica.com/is-ghanas-electricity-spending-paying-off/
With the lights now turned on, over 3,700 residents will have access to clean, reliable, and sustainable electricity for the first time.
“This is not merely an infrastructure project. It’s a promise fulfilled, opening new opportunities for education, healthcare, business, and improved livelihoods,” Minister Jinapor said.
He instructed the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to incorporate the tariff proposal submitted by the Volta River Authority (VRA) into the upcoming bulk generation tariff review.
This measure aims to ensure the recovery of operations and maintenance costs, enhancing the long-term sustainability and quality of electricity services.
Minister Jinapor commended the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) for their generous funding and collaboration, which made this achievement possible.
Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Simone Giger, described the project as historic but expressed concern about maintaining the project after commissioning.
Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Simone Giger,
“It would be unfortunate if the project isn’t properly maintained,” she emphasized.
Ambassador Giger encouraged the beneficiary communities to leverage the project to fulfill their dreams.
The Ada East Municipality Chief Executive representative expressed gratitude to the Swiss Government and Government of Ghana on behalf of the beneficiary communities. The project is expected to boost economic activities, support healthcare, and improve academic performance among school children, who can now study at night.
Ing. Seth Mahu briefing Minister for Energy and Green Transition Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor.
According to Ing. Edward Obeng-Kenzo, Chief Executive Officer of Volta Riverr Authority the project demonstrates of shared commitment to equitable development and inclusive access to energy.
Expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition for its assurance of providing the necessary support towards fully optimizing the mini grid systems, Ing. Obeng-Kenzo said VRA remains committed to the project’s long-term sustainability and efficient management.
“It is our expectation that this project will have a profound impact on the local economy of these communities and truly add value to their lives for socio-economic development,’’ he added.
Ing. Edward Obeng -Kenzo, Chief Executive Officer of Volta River AuthoritySource:https://energynewsafrica.com
Carbon emissions from Europe’s power generators jumped in the first quarter of 2025 to the highest in two years as lower wind and solar output led to an increase in natural gas and coal plant utilization.
Europe’s power producers saw their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions jump to 390 million metric tons in the first quarter, up by 23.5 million tons from a year earlier. The January-March CO2 emission levels were the highest from the European power sector for any quarter since the beginning of 2023, according to data by energy think tank Ember cited by Reuters columnist Gavin Maguire.
Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and Poland were the biggest contributors to the emissions increase as their gas and coal generation jumped to the highest levels in years amid low wind speeds and little sunshine in the first really cold winter in Europe for three years.
The surge in emissions bucks the trend of the past two years and is due to the slump in renewable energy output this winter.
Europe has suffered the most from the lower wind speeds in the past few months, while power demand was higher in the coldest winter months.
For example, Germany saw lower-than-normal winds for several months in a row, which reduced wind power generation, boosting electricity prices and the reliance on fossil fuels. The lower wind power generation, Germany’s largest source of electricity, extended from the end of 2024 to the early months of 2025.
The German predicament, where wind speeds were below average for extended periods of time this past winter, hiked regional prices as Germany’s utilities were not only boosting gas and coal generation, but also raising electricity imports from neighboring countries.
Over the next few months, solar and wind power generation is set to recover from the lows in the first quarter. Solar radiation will be at its peak in the late spring and summer, accounting for a larger share of power generation in Europe.
Source: oilprice.com
Namibia’s President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will officially open the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) 2025, a premier energy event scheduled for April 23-25, 2025, at the Windhoek Country Club Resort.
This historic milestone underscores the government’s commitment to harnessing the country’s energy potential for shared prosperity and positions Namibia as an emerging leader in the global energy landscape.
Themed “Leading the Way: Becoming an Energy Hub with In-Country Value,” NIEC 2025 aims to solidify Namibia’s status as a regional energy hub, leveraging its vast oil, gas, and renewable resources to attract global investments.
The conference will bring together over 1,000 delegates, including industry experts, investors, and government leaders, to discuss key issues and opportunities shaping the future of the energy industry.
“We are deeply honoured that Her Excellency, the President of the Republic of Namibia, will officially open this year’s conference.
“Her participation marks a historic milestone for NIEC and reaffirms the government’s commitment to harnessing Namibia’s energy potential for shared prosperity. It also reflects the kind of forward-looking leadership that is essential to positioning Namibia as an emerging leader in the global energy landscape.” said Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni, Founder & CEO of RichAfrica Consultancy and Convenor of NIEC.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd, South Africa’s power utility company, is seeking firms with a proven track record in establishing renewable energy businesses to assist in accelerating the deployment of renewable energy solutions.
Eskom has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for interested companies to participate.
The company will evaluate applicants based on criteria that include: Proven track record in establishing a renewable energy company; Number of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) created that have delivered projects; IPP Business Model & Financial Structuring Expertise ; and Technical capability and sector knowledge
The opportunity to respond to the tender closes on May 7, 2025, at 10:00 SAST and can be found on the Eskom website. The support will be required for a period of 12 months.
The objective of the new subsidiary is to operate independently of the main Eskom entity, allowing for greater governance agility, competitive market positioning, and enhanced Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). According to Dan Marokane, Eskom’s Group Chief Executive:
“Agility and efficiency are at the heart of preparing for a competitive marketplace and ensuring we serve our current and future customers with the electricity supply solutions they require. We are now a year into our turnaround strategy, and we are not just focused on ending load shedding; at the same time, we are pivoting Eskom into a sustainable and competitive company while ensuring security of supply.”
Eskom remains focused on a balanced and diversified energy mix, including existing coal and nuclear, introducing gas for baseload power, as well as renewables, energy storage systems, including Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and pumped hydro, to achieve overall security of supply and meet South Africa’s growing electricity demand in a sustainable manner.
Eskom has an executable initial pipeline of at least 2GW of clean energy projects by 2026 and has developed a pipeline of more than 20GW of clean energy projects to diversify its energy mix.
Eskom will update the marketplace on the progress of the development of its Renewable Energy business throughout 2025.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
The African Institute of Energy and Sustainability (AIES) has announced Dr. Samiu Kwadwo Nuamah as its new Executive Director.
Dr. Nuamah brings extensive experience in energy management, policy formulation, and environmental sustainability to AIES, which, over the years, has maintained the spot as a leading research and consultancy institution dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions.
His appointment comes at a critical juncture in Africa’s energy landscape, where nations are grappling with energy poverty, climate change, and the need for sustainable energy solutions.
Dr. Nuamah is a seasoned energy expert, academic, and policy advisor with an impressive track record in energy production, climate change mitigation, and sustainable energy transitions.
His professional journey spans multiple high-impact roles, including his tenure at RWE npower (UK) and Genser Energy (UK) where he was involved in energy strategy and management. He has also been deeply engaged in academia, serving as a lecturer at the University of Ghana and Nottingham Trent University (UK), where he has mentored the next generation of energy professionals.
Dr. Nuamah has held several key leadership positions, including serving as a Member of Ghana’s Parliament and a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy, where he played a pivotal role in shaping energy and natural resource policies.
Dr. Nuamah holds an illustrious academic background with degrees from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Cranfield University, and the University of Nottingham. His BSc (Hons), MSc, and EngD in Energy and Environmental Studies provide a solid foundation for his leadership at AIES, ensuring that the institute remains at the forefront of cutting-edge energy research and policy advisory services.
As the Executive Director of AIES, Dr. Nuamah will be instrumental in driving the institute’s vision to establish a low-carbon economy by promoting efficient energy use, industry best practices, and policy-driven research.
AIES is renowned for its work in energy consultancy, research, technical training, environmental impact assessments (EIA), and sustainability strategies. Under Dr. Nuamah’s leadership, AIES will further its commitment to bridging the gap between energy innovation and policy implementation across Africa.
Speaking on his new role, Dr. Nuamah emphasised the urgency of Africa’s energy transition, stating:“Africa stands at a crossroads in its energy future. As we work towards energy security and sustainability, we must ensure that policies and industry practices are guided by research, innovation, and environmental stewardship. At AIES, we are dedicated to equipping policymakers, industry players, and communities with the knowledge and strategies needed to transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy system. I am honoured to lead this institution in shaping the next era of Africa’s energy sector.”
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) hosted a conference for the Review of Regulatory Frameworks for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation and Small Water Supplies in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The event, which took place at the Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel, brought together participants from selected African countries to gather from April 8-10, 2025, to review the existing framework.
Addressing participants, the Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, said it was both an honor and a deep sense of responsibility to host the gathering of experts, regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, all united by a shared commitment to improving rural water services.
Dr. Suleman, on behalf of the PURC and the people of Ghana, extended his warmest welcome to his esteemed colleagues from the Eastern and Southern African Water and Sanitation Regulators Association (ESAWAS), African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR), Water Utility Regulation Department (WURD) of Uganda, Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) of Kenya, National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) of Zambia, AguaConsult, and all other institutions represented.
According to Dr. Shafic, “access to safe and sustainable water services remains a fundamental human right and a crucial driver of socio-economic development. Key strategies to provide water access include increasing sector-wide investment and capacity-building, promoting innovation and evidence-based action, enhancing cross-sectoral coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders, and adopting a more integrated and holistic approach to water management. Water is essential not only to health but also to poverty reduction, food security, peace, human rights, ecosystems, and education.”
Dr. Suleman reminded participants that Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure universal access to safe and sustainable water services. As of 2022, 2.2 billion people still lacked access to safely managed drinking water, with 703 million people living without basic water services.
He indicated that 3.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation, including 1.5 billion people who live without basic sanitation services; 2 billion people lacked basic handwashing facilities, and 653 million people lived without any handwashing facilities at all.
The Executive Secretary noted that African countries have improved access to safely managed drinking water services; however, a significant disparity still remains between rural and urban areas, where three in five Africans, or 411 million people, still lack safely managed drinking water.
Dr. Suleman reiterated that in Ghana and many African countries, rural and small-community water supply systems serve a significant proportion of the population. However, these systems often face challenges related to financing, service reliability, infrastructure sustainability, and regulatory oversight.
“Over the past decades, Ghana has made remarkable strides in expanding water access, with national water coverage improving significantly,” he stressed.
Nevertheless, gaps remain, particularly in rural and peri-urban sectors, where service quality, accountability, and financial viability require urgent attention.
Dr. Suleman indicated that the workshop is evidence of the power of collaboration.
“The diverse expertise in this room, from Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, and beyond, presents an invaluable opportunity to share insights and build a framework that is both contextually relevant and globally informed. The regulatory landscape for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation is evolving, and it is imperative that we adopt innovative approaches that strengthen oversight, promote private sector participation, and enhance community engagement,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Suleman indicated that this review process provides an opportunity to evaluate existing regulatory tools, identify best practices, and develop a harmonized solution that can drive service improvements while ensuring affordability, sustainability, and equity. Together, we can ensure that rural communities and small towns across Africa have access to reliable, safe, and affordable water services supported by strong regulatory mechanisms.
Participants came from Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Germany, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Burundi, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, and Zanzibar.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has endorsed the recent increases in electricity and water utilities tariffs in Ghana, which is expected to take effect from May 3, 2025.
According to Stephane Roudet, IMF Mission Chief to Ghana, the tariff hike is a necessary step to strengthen the financial state of key State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), especially the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Ghana signed onto the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while laying the foundation for stronger growth.
The IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, worth $3 billion over 36 months, was approved on May 17, 2023.
It would be recalled that on Friday, April 11, 2025, reported that Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced a 14.75% increase in electricity tariffs and a 4.02% rise in water tariffs across all consumer categories effective, May 3.
Since this announcement section of Ghanaian have raised concerns about the impact of the increment on their businesses and living conditions.
However, addressing a joint press conference in Accra, capital of Ghana, with the Bank of Ghana and Ghana’s Finance Minister, Mr. Roudet emphasised the need for sustainable financing to maintain a reliable power supply across the country.
“The importance of this hike is to support SOEs and also ensure their finances are sustainable,” Roudet said.
“We are aware of the implications, especially for the vulnerable, but it is necessary to ensure ECG can meet its financial obligations to power producers and guarantee uninterrupted electricity for Ghanaian s”, he mentioned.
He also reiterated the IMF’s commitment to working with the Ghanaian government to develop social interventions aimed at cushioning the impact of these adjustments on the most vulnerable populations.
“We are very mindful of the needs of the vulnerable in society and want to ensure the government implements policies to protect the poor while improving the conditions of workers across all sectors,” he added.
The PURC earlier also defended the recent increases in utility tariffs, insisting that consumers are receiving value for money despite persistent complaints over erratic power supply and inconsistent water flow in parts of the country.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Sustainable Energy Specialist Mr. Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo asserts that access to affordable and reliable electricity is crucial for the successful implementation of the government’s flagship policies, including the 24-hour economy and Accelerated Export Development Policy.
“No country can develop economically without access to modern, reliable, and affordable energy,” he argued during a presentation at the 5th Anniversary Public Lecture and Forum by Energy News Africa Limited in Accra.
Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo emphasized that the backbone of any industrialized country running a 24-hour economy is the availability of affordable electrical power.
He stressed the need for the government to rapidly double or triple reliable electricity supply to stimulate industrial growth, especially during peak demand.
He suggested incorporating natural gas and clean coal into Ghana’s energy mix, citing their potential to support the policy initiative.
As a Managing Partner at WAC Energy Professionals with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo recommended that Ghana systematically prioritize investment in grid and natural gas infrastructures and fast-track its Nuclear Power Programme.
He drew comparisons with industrialized countries like China which relies heavily on coal and natural gas for electricity generation.
South Korea’s significant increase in electricity generation from 21.17GW in 1990 to 143GW in 2023, largely driven by nuclear, gas, and coal imports, was another example he cited.
Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo also referenced Malaysia’s remarkable growth in electricity generation capacity from 0.46GW in 1970 to 45.5GW in 2022.
He highlighted that Ghana’s generation in 1970 was 0.76GW which was much higher than that of Malaysia but only saw a marginal growth to 5.5GW by 2022.
He contended that Ghana needs to rapidly revolutionize its power generation capacity to catch up with the rest of the world.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has sanctioned eight distribution companies (DisCos) with a fine of N628,031,583.94(equivalent of $391,304.25) for non-compliance with regulatory orders.
The DisCos were sanctioned in line with Section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 2023 (“EA 2023”).
The affected DisCos are Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola.
According to a release by NERC, they failed to fully comply with the monthly energy caps issued by the Commission between July and September 2024 (2024/Q3).
The Commission recalled that in 2020, it issued the Order on Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/197/2020) and subsequently issued monthly energy caps, which aimed to align the estimated bills for unmetered customers with the measured consumption of metered customers on the same supply feeder.
It added that a review of DisCos’ billing of unmetered customers for July-September 2024 (2024/Q3) revealed non-compliance with the monthly energy caps issued by the Commission.
Besides the sanction, the Commission has also mandated the DisCos to issue commensurate credit adjustments to all customers affected by the overbilling by May 15, 2025—the end of the April 2025 billing cycle.
“The Commission reaffirms its commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry,” the release said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com 
According to Dr. Shafic, “access to safe and sustainable water services remains a fundamental human right and a crucial driver of socio-economic development. Key strategies to provide water access include increasing sector-wide investment and capacity-building, promoting innovation and evidence-based action, enhancing cross-sectoral coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders, and adopting a more integrated and holistic approach to water management. Water is essential not only to health but also to poverty reduction, food security, peace, human rights, ecosystems, and education.”
Dr. Suleman reminded participants that Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure universal access to safe and sustainable water services. As of 2022, 2.2 billion people still lacked access to safely managed drinking water, with 703 million people living without basic water services.
He indicated that 3.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation, including 1.5 billion people who live without basic sanitation services; 2 billion people lacked basic handwashing facilities, and 653 million people lived without any handwashing facilities at all.
The Executive Secretary noted that African countries have improved access to safely managed drinking water services; however, a significant disparity still remains between rural and urban areas, where three in five Africans, or 411 million people, still lack safely managed drinking water.
Dr. Suleman reiterated that in Ghana and many African countries, rural and small-community water supply systems serve a significant proportion of the population. However, these systems often face challenges related to financing, service reliability, infrastructure sustainability, and regulatory oversight.
“Over the past decades, Ghana has made remarkable strides in expanding water access, with national water coverage improving significantly,” he stressed.
Nevertheless, gaps remain, particularly in rural and peri-urban sectors, where service quality, accountability, and financial viability require urgent attention.
Dr. Suleman indicated that the workshop is evidence of the power of collaboration.
“The diverse expertise in this room, from Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, and beyond, presents an invaluable opportunity to share insights and build a framework that is both contextually relevant and globally informed. The regulatory landscape for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation is evolving, and it is imperative that we adopt innovative approaches that strengthen oversight, promote private sector participation, and enhance community engagement,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Suleman indicated that this review process provides an opportunity to evaluate existing regulatory tools, identify best practices, and develop a harmonized solution that can drive service improvements while ensuring affordability, sustainability, and equity. Together, we can ensure that rural communities and small towns across Africa have access to reliable, safe, and affordable water services supported by strong regulatory mechanisms.
Participants came from Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Germany, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Burundi, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, and Zanzibar.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com 
