Twenty five people have reportedly been killed in central Nigeria after a fuel tanker exploded following a collision with other vehicles.
Media reports suggest a primary school pupil and students are among the dead.
The crash occurred on Wednesday morning on a major highway in Lokoja where the driver lost control of the tanker after the brakes failed, local police said.
Lokoja police spokesman, Willy Aya said that several victims were charred.
Eyewitnesses’ accounts indicate that many of dead were pedestrians, including the students who were crossing the road to go to college.
Others who died included a group who was killed inside their car, he said.
Footage of the aftermath shared on social media shows a huge plume of black smoke billowing into the sky at the gory scene.
In June this year, four people were killed in the country’s biggest city, Lagos, after two petrol tankers collided.
The fire spread to another tanker carrying natural gas.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Across the world, we are noticing technological growth globally, which has become the driving principle rendering renewable energy as the preferred energy source. There is overwhelming literature to support that renewable energy comes at a cheaper cost compared to fossil fuel.
Data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) suggest that more than 50 percent of the renewable capacity added in 2019 achieved lower electricity costs than new coal.
According to the body, solar photovoltaics (PV) reveals the sharpest cost decline over 2010-2019 at 82 percent, followed by concentrating solar power (CSP) at 47 percent, onshore wind at 40 percent, and offshore wind at 29 percent. In addition, electricity costs from utility-scale solar PV dropped 13 percent year-on-year, reaching nearly 7 cents (US$0.068) per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2019. Onshore and offshore wind both fell about 9 percent year-on-year, reaching US$0.053/kWh and US$0.115/kWh, respectively, for newly commissioned projects.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has identified renewable energy sources as the least expensive modes to achieve universal electricity access in many parts of the world. In addition to increasing grid-connected electricity generation from renewables, declining costs of small-scale solar PV for stand-alone systems and mini-grids is vital in helping deliver affordable electricity access to millions. This according to the body is especially the case in remote rural areas in African countries, home to many of the population still deprived of electricity access.
The country’s National Energy Policy (NEP) objective of using renewable energy for 10 percent of total energy production by 2020 has been extended to 2030 because Ghana failed to put in the right policies toward the achievement of the goal. In addition, current electrification rate is about 85 percent, a bit far off the target, with no improvement in sight.
To be able to achieve a universal electricity access by the new set year 2025 Ghana may be required to work hard to grow the annual access rate by at least 3 percent. This growth is largely feasible with the support of renewable energy sources because a considerable proportion of the communities awaiting connection to the national electricity grid are currently difficult to access because they are lakeside communities, with others planted on islands that require connection by sub-marine cables.
It is therefore evident that the country failed to meet it initial target of universal electricity access by 2020 because it also failed to meet its 10 percent deployment of renewable energy by 2020.
Although, Ghana abounds with renewable energy resource potential, particularly biomass, solar and wind, and to a lesser extent small and mini-hydropower (IRENA, 2020), Ghana’s Energy Ministry admits that the bulk of this potential remain largely untapped. After continuously increasing power generation capacity from largely thermal sources, and increasing electricity access through grid expansions, it is now time for Ghana to be religious on its policy goal of 100 percent national electricity access using renewable energy as a catalyst.
Manifesto Statements On Renewables
It is imperative to say that if Government must meet its National Energy Policy objective of using renewable energy for 10 percent of total energy production by its new set target for 2030, then it ought to do more than what the country is currently experiencing.
One of best ways of ascertaining Ghana’s commitment to ensuring renewable energy as an important part of the energy mix is to assess the manifestoes of the political parties. Consequently, these manifestoes can give us a glimpse of the future. The comparative analysis of the manifestoes of the two major political parties in Ghana; the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to ascertain who has superior policies in the area of renewables.
The NDC promises to deliver a golden age of renewables surpassing the 10 percent of the energy mix specified in the Renewal Energy Act. The political party then outlines eight (8) ways to surpass the 10 percent target. The NDC posit that it will establish a Renewable Energy Commission, to give focus on campaign for renewables; accelerate the development of grid-connected solar, wind and biomass plants; encouraging the use of Roof-Top Solar by artisans and small businesses. Additionally, the party will require all new government buildings to incorporate solar systems in their designs, cost and implementation; retrofit existing government buildings with solar systems. These they hope to achieve by providing incentives for investment in the manufacture of solar panels and accessories in Ghana, including removal of import duties on solar equipment and accessories; encourage private businesses and public institutions to use solar power and promoting the teaching of courses in renewable energy in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
On the other hand, the NPP on renewable energy promises to implement measures to reduce significantly the cost of power and to make it the most competitive in West Africa for industrial use. In particular, the NPP will review and restructure our energy-mix to generate cheaper sources for industries, including gas and renewable energy.
Furthermore, the NPP will increase proportion of renewable energy in the national generation mix.
Comparative Analysis
A comparative analysis of the two manifestoes under review shows that both parties acknowledge the importance of renewable energy in the energy mix. The NDC proposes to establish the Renewable Energy Commission (REC) to focus on advocacy for renewables. This is welcomed especially when one considers the low level of penetration of renewable energy in the energy mix. However, an establishment of the REC should not be limited to advocacy but regulatory purposes having regard to the licensing and regulatory regimes of power in the country. Focusing on REC’s mandate beyond advocacy will aid investors to readily acquire the needed licenses to establish, expand and improve renewable energy plants. The promise to establish the Commission is commendable because it will give renewable energy the needed traction and attention as an emerging reliable and cheapest source of power.
It is proposed further that the key ambitions of the REC should be to accelerate significant investment in the development and commercialization of renewable energy. The REC must encourage key stakeholders to deepen their support of renewable energy as part of the future energy mix in a fashion akin to the world Hydrogen Council― the global initiative of leading energy, transport and industry companies with a united vision and long-term ambition for hydrogen to foster the energy transition.
Further the two-prong approach of the NDC of retrofitting existing government buildings with solar systems and providing incentives for investment in the manufacture of solar panels and accessories in Ghana, including removal of import duties on solar equipment and accessories will gladly aid in penetration of renewable energy. Despite the great approaches contained in the NDC manifesto on renewable energy, it is silent on the elements of cost and timelines.
In contrast to this acknowledgment, the NPP is silent on how they will increase proportions of renewable energy in the national generation mix. On August 06, 2020, the government was reported to “have placed a complete moratorium on the renewable energy” because of cost. The manifesto failed to outline concrete steps to lift the moratorium or suggest concrete measures it will undertake to increase renewable energy in the energy mix. The NPP’s manifesto can best be described as a manifesto that intends to maintain the status quo due to inadequate policy prescriptions in the short term (at least for the next four years).
Evidently, the NPP manifesto contains no convincing vision for renewable energy in their next term of office and it is projected that we may miss the 2030 deadline set for achieving the National Energy Policy objective of using renewable energy for 10 percent of total energy production should the NPP retain power. The party’s plans for renewable energy is blared by statements by both government functionaries and top executives at the Energy Ministry. A typical example is the recent statement by no less a person but the Director of Renewable and Nuclear Energy, Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, to the effect that “the boom in solar and other renewable energy usage could threaten the viability of the nation’s power distributor”.
In effect, renewable energy adoption is seen by the NPP as threat, instead of accepting it as presenting healthy competition to the traditional power systems or sources, offering a cheaper electricity cost for industries, and the best opportunity for the ECG to be operationally efficient.
Notwithstanding the fact that the NDC has superior position with respect to the advancement of renewable energy than the NPP, both parties are urged to go beyond the rhetoric and show real political will and commitment towards attaining a target beyond the 10 percent of renewable energy in the future energy mix.
Source: Institute for Energy Security (IES)
Brazilian oil and gas giant Petrobras has identified the presence of hydrocarbons in the pioneer well of block C-M-657, located in the pre-salt of the Campos Basin.
The well 1-BRSA-1376D-RJS (Naru) is located approximately 308 km from the city of Rio de Janeiro, in a water depth of 2,892 meters.
Petrobas said on Wednesday that the well verified the presence of hydrocarbon in carbonate reservoirs of the pre-salt section.
The well data will be analyzed to better assess the potential and direct the exploratory activities in the area, Petrobras added.
Block C-M-657 was acquired in March 2018, in the 15th bidding round of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), under the Concession regime.
It is located in the southern portion of the Campos Basin.
Petrobras is the operator of the block and holds a 30 per cent stake, in partnership with ExxonMobil (40 per cent) and Equinor (30 per cent).
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Rwanda has received US$150 million funding from the World Bank for the implementation of Energy Access and Quality Improvement Project (EAQIP).
The funding consists of a US$75 million grant and a US$75 million loan for the implementation of the Rwanda Energy Access and Quality Improvement Project (EAQIP).
Under the EAQIP, the Government of Rwanda plans to expand grid connections for residential, commercial, industrial and public customers.
The government also plans to subsidise the deployment of off-grid solar systems.
It will also increase access to an efficiency of low-cost renewable energy in the country by restoring the generating capacity of the Ntakura hydropower plant, reducing voltage variations on transmission lines, and supporting the national smart meter installation programme.
According to the World Bank, these various initiatives will provide 2.15 million people with access to “reliable, sustainable, modern and affordable” electricity.
EAQIP will also help reduce Rwanda’s dependence on polluting cooking fuels by 50 percent. The Rwandan government hopes to provide universal access to electricity by 2024 and to clean cooking fuels by 2030.
At least, an additional US$20 million will be injected into the EAQIP project through the Clean Cooking Technologies Fund (CCF) hosted by the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (Esmap).
This additional funding consists of a US$10 million grant and a US$10 million loan.
According to the World Bank, CCF plans to mobilise US$30 million in public and private investment as part of the Rwanda Energy Access and Quality Improvement Project.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
The Spanish energy company, Elecnor, has withdrawn from the Boulenouar wind power project in Mauritania after helping to set up the consortium responsible for the development of the clean energy project.
Its shares in the project has, thus, been bought by the German company, Siemens, which remains in the consortium with its partner Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, a company based in Zamudio, Spain.
Elecnor has not given any reasons for its departure.
However, media report suggests that the company’s withdrawal has aroused the curiosity of observers, as the Boulenouar wind power project is expected to build the largest clean energy production facility in the country.
The promoters of the project have already received an investment promise of 120 million euros from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), a financial institution, part of the Arab League.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after an industry group reported a rise in U.S. crude inventories against expectations for a decline, adding to worries about demand that led to a steep selloff earlier in the week.
Brent crude was trading down 21 cents, or 0.5 per cent, at $41.51 a barrel by 0055 GMT, after gaining 28 cents on Tuesday, while U.S. crude slipped 23 cents, or 0.6, to $39.57.
Both contracts fell more than 4 per cent on Monday, the most in two weeks.
Surging cases of coronavirus infections in countries including France and Spain, along with the likelihood of more restrictions in Britain have renewed worries about fuel demand, just as more supply may come onto the market from Libya.
In the United States, where the death toll from COVID-19 has passed 200,000, the world’s highest, crude oil inventories rose by 691,000 barrels in the week to Sept. 18, according to industry data, compared with analysts’ forecasts for a drop of 2.3 million barrels.
Gasoline stocks fell by nearly 7.7 million barrels, nearly 8 times expectations suggesting some demand for fuel in the world’s biggest oil consuming nation.
Still, this year, “world oil demand will be down by more than 10 per cent on the year to around 90 million barrels per day (bpd) due to the COVID-19 crisis,” Eurasia Group said in a note.
“This will mark the biggest demand shock in industry history,” it said.
Official data is due out later on Wednesday.
In Libya, the National Oil Company expects oil output to rise to more than a quarter of a million barrels per day (bpd) by next week, it said on Tuesday.
The NOC said it was restarting exports from the Zueitinia oil terminal after checking the security situation at the port and fields that pipe crude there.
An escalation in the country’s conflict led to a blockade of facilities, which is now easing, although analysts say they don’t expect Libya to reach the 1.2 million bpd of production it was pumping previously.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Siemens expects Siemens Energy to reach a market value of significantly more than 17 billion euros ($19.98 billion) when it floats on the Frankfurt stock exchange next week, a source close to the company said.
The consensus forecasts for the value of the business, which makes gas and wind turbines, is 21 billion to 22 billion euros, said the source.
When Anadarko Petroleum Corp. confirmed last year it would be constructing a $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Mozambique, this was major news.
Mozambique’s first onshore LNG plant would be creating tens of thousands of jobs – and contributing to sustainable, long-term economic growth that would impact millions of people.
Two additional LNG projects have been announced since then: the $4.7 billion Coral FLNG Project by ENI and ExxonMobil, and the $30 billion Rovuma LNG Project by ExxonMobil, ENI, and the China National Petroleum Corporation. While these two have been postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the original LNG Mozambique project has been moving forward.
French oil major Total acquired the project and finalized project funding in July, even in the face of recent terror attacks in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, where Total’s LNG plant will be constructed.
That’s why it’s so disheartening to learn that a UK-based environmental group is pursuing actions that could jeopardize the project’s timely progression, all in the name of preventing climate change. Friends of the Earth has said it will initiate a legal challenge against the UK’s decision to provide $1 billion in funding for the Mozambique LNG project.
Never mind the project’s importance to everyday Africans. Never mind its potential to grow and diversify the economy. Never mind that projects like this are just what Mozambique needs to address its energy poverty, or that the Mozambique government has invested considerable time and resources into making this LNG project possible.
This is not the first time that not so well informed radical activist have attempted to interfere with Africa’s energy industry in ways that do not help poor Africans but serve their own interest. International organizations, including the World Bank, and private investors, under pressure by environmental groups, have been dropping support for African fossil fuel production. A lot of poor people are suffering from this and hundreds of millions more will if we to change direction.
I find it stunning that, during a time when much of the world is talking about the need to respect black perspectives, environmental groups seem to have no qualms about dismissing African voices.
As I’ve said in the past, I agree that climate change should be taken seriously. And I understand the risks it poses to Africa. The thing is, why are non-African organizations trying to dictate how African countries address those risks? The message in this case seems to be that “they know best.” That idea is insulting, and interfering with an African country’s efforts to build up its economy – simply because fossil fuels are involved – is completely unacceptable.
A ‘Missed Opportunity?’ Really?
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is one of eight export credit agencies to provide funding for Total’s Mozambique LNG project, which includes the construction of a two-train liquefaction plant with a capacity of 12.9 million tonnes per year.
UKEF’s $1 billion commitment includes awarding $300 million in loans to British companies working on the gas project and guaranteeing loans from commercial banks worth up to $850 million. The UK’s parliamentary under-secretary for the Department for International Trade, Graham Stuart, has pointed out that Total’s LNG project could be transformational for Mozambique and create 2,000 jobs in the UK as well.
But Friends of the Earth has said they will seek a judicial review into the UK government’s decision to help finance a project that, as they put it, will “worsen the climate emergency.” The group’s director, Jamie Peters, also expressed his disappointment in a letter to the UK government. The UKEF’s funding decision, Peters said, represents a “lost opportunity” for the UK to be a world climate leader.
My question to Mr. Peters is, what about Mozambique’s opportunities? To help everyday people improve their lives? To earn a decent living? To have a reliable source of energy? I’m talking about an opportunity to nudge the average life expectancy in Mozambique above 59 years, where it stands now.
The Mozambique LNG project is poised to make those things possible. As far as I’m concerned, losing that opportunity would devastating.
What Mozambique Stands to Gain
I can’t overstate the far-reaching implications and potential that Total’s Mozambique LNG project represents for local businesses, communities, and individuals.
Total estimates that its plant will generate about $50 billion in revenue for Mozambique’s government during its first 25 years in operation. That revenue can be directed toward much-needed infrastructure, educational programs, and economic diversification programs.
Consider direct foreign investment in Mozambique: Total’s US$25 billion investment in the LNG plant is more than twice Mozambique’s current GDP.
How about the plant construction project? Not only will it generate tens of thousands of local jobs, but it also will provide training opportunities for local people. Indigenous companies will be contracted to provide goods and services.
This pattern will continue once the plant is operational. Locals can train for and take a wide range of positions, including professional and leadership roles. Over time, subject matter experts who can share their knowledge in Mozambique, and with other African companies, will be cultivated. And, once again, the plant will be looking to local companies to provide products and services.
LNG Can ‘Empower’ Mozambique
In addition to these far-reaching economic opportunities, the LNG produced at the plant will provide affordable energy for Mozambique.
The need is urgent. Only about 29% of the population has access to electricity today. Medical care is hindered. Education is impacted. And sustainable economic growth is an uphill climb.
Earlier this year, I praised the government of Mozambique for negotiating for part of the LNG production to be diverted to the domestic market, meaning it can be used for power generation. Since then, the government secured financing for a 400MW gas-fired power plant and transmission line to Maputo, the country’s capital, which will dramatically improve power reliability there.
By the way, when the Mozambique government ensured that some of the plant’s LNG production would be available for domestic use, it also laid the foundation for monetization and economic diversification. In Mozambique, LNG will be available to serve as feedstock for fertilizer and petrochemical plants. It can be exported by pipeline to neighboring companies. And that, in turn, can help Mozambique build even more infrastructure and contribute to even greater widespread prosperity.
Mozambique Has Been Working for This
I’d also like to point out that the thought and preparation that the Mozambique government has put into making its natural gas operations beneficial for the country as a whole since approximately 180 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves were discovered there in 2010.
Mozambique’s national oil company, ENH, hired global energy research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie to help it prepare for the responsibility of managing and selling its corresponding portion of the resources. Since then, ENH formed a consortium with international oil and gas trader, Vitol.
The government also has sought the support of more experienced energy producers and international partners. Earlier this year, President Filipe Nyusi met with Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and signed an agreement for support on natural gas resource management.
But even before that, Mozambique laid the foundation for a successful oil and gas industry with the new Petroleum Law of 2014. And with that legislation in place, the country completed a successful bidding round for exploration blocks. These efforts, along with careful negotiations with international oil companies, are what brought Mozambique to where it is today: on the cusp of becoming a major LNG producer. And these efforts are what will make Mozambique’s LNG industry a success, not just in terms of government revenue, but also in improving the lives of everyday people.
We Must Put People First
Mozambique is not asking for aid to lift its people out of poverty. It’s attempting to capitalize on its own natural resources. The government isn’t trying to make a quick buck. It’s working to lay a foundation for long-term growth. And efforts like the ExxonMobil and Total Mozambique Projects are more than an opportunity for international oil companies, or even Mozambique’s government. They have the potential to improve the lives of millions of everyday people.
I recognize the need to protect our planet and prevent climate change. But interfering with financing for Africa’s fossil fuel projects is not the right path. We must not dismiss the value of projects like these or their ability to make meaningful changes for the better in Mozambique. And we must not put environmental ideals ahead of the pressing needs that are facing people right now.
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Source: NJ Ayuk
The Chief Executive Officer of Total, Patrick Pouyanné and Mozambican president Filipe Nyusi met to discuss an intensifying Islamic State-linked insurgency in the country’s north, where the French oil giant is building a massive natural-gas project.
According to Bloomberg report, for more than a month, militants have occupied a town about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of where Total is spending $20 billion to extract natural gas from below the ocean and export it to European and Asian customers. The violence is now creeping toward Total’s Mozambique LNG project in the far northeast.
Recent videos that appear to show abuses, including torture and executions of civilians, by Mozambique’s army suggest the Cabo Delgado province has become increasingly lawless. Total last month said it signed an agreement with the government for a joint task force to provide security to the project. Hundreds of Mozambican soldiers had already been guarding the site.
“The security situation in Cabo Delgado was at the core of the discussion between President Nyusi and Patrick Pouyanné,” a Total spokesperson said of the Sept. 12 meeting in Maputo, the capital.
“The government of Mozambique recently reiterated its commitment to respect international humanitarian law.”
Two days after the meeting, a widely shared video of men in military uniform gunning down a naked woman caused a public outcry in the country. Amnesty International said it has verified the men as government soldiers and that the incident occurred near a town less than 100 kilometers from the LNG project.
A statement from the presidency about the meeting didn’t mention security. The Mozambican government has consistently tried to downplay the insurgency since it began nearly three years ago. The state has also rejected accusations by rights groups that its military is committing abuses and has blamed the insurgents for fabricating the videos.
The execution of the woman was carried out by the same forces who protect the natural-gas projects, according to the Center for Democracy and Development, a local non-governmental organization.
“There is no way to dissociate the LNG companies from this situation, as the army is in Cabo Delgado to protect above all the LNG projects,” Adriano Nuvunga, who heads the center, said in an interview.
“Total unequivocally denounces and condemns all forms of violence,” the company said. “The Group is concerned by the violence in Cabo Delgado, which affects local communities first and foremost.”
The memorandum of understanding the company signed with the government includes specific clauses to report, investigate and address any grievance closely or remotely related to the joint task force protecting the project, Total said. The agreement “includes very strict provisions on the respect of human rights,” it said in an emailed response to questions.
The violence has cost more than 1,900 lives and displaced at least 250,000 people in one of the poorest regions of the world. The European Union’s parliament this week declared “grave concern” and urged the authorities “to take effective and decisive action in countering the Islamist insurgence and to protect all citizens of Cabo Delgado.”
If not stopped, the insurgency could grow and spill over into neighboring countries, threatening regional stability, the EU said.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Energy News Africa Ltd, the online publisher of energynewsafrica.com, in the Republic of Ghana, has signed a partnership deal with African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa, one of Clarion Events Africa’s award-winning flagship events.
Clarion Events Africa is part of the Clarion Events Group’s Clarion Energy Series, which runs over 40 events that cover the oil, gas, power and energy sectors, making it the group’s largest portfolio.
African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa takes place annually during May in Cape Town, South Africa.
Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the organisers have postponed the 20th live, in person edition of this popular conference and exhibition to 2021.
However, the African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa will take place as a digital event from 24-26 November 2020 and forms part of the Digital Energy Festival. The ‘Digital Energy Festival’ unites African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa, Africa Energy Forum and the Oil & Gas Council, under one banner, forming Africa’s largest, all-encompassing digital energy platform.
According to the partnership, energynewsafrica.com will support the organisers in publicity in order to reach more players in the energy industry across the continent for both the digital and live events.
The partnership will enable readers of energynewsafrica.com, who would attend the 2021 African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa event to enjoy 10% discount on the registration fees.
Commenting on the partnership, Managing Editor of energynewsafrica.com, Michael Creg Afful said they were excited to enter into a partnership with African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa.
Michael Creg Afful, Editor of Energynewsafrica.com at a hydropower generation site in Ghana
He said the aim of energynewsafrica.com is to support building a resilient energy sector in Africa through the sharing of credible energy-based information with industry players in Africa and beyond.
“We believe that this partnership will afford us the opportunity to share the vital information that the industry players require for the recovery of the sector following the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Energy is very critical to the development of the continent and we can all attest to the fact that energy has played a critical role in the fight against Covid-19. ”
He adds: “Unfortunately, we have seen some countries like South Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, etc. having serious problems in the energy sector. Countries that are going through power crises need the right information to turn the situation around and so we see this partnership as an opportunity to assist in sharing ideas from experts that can help solve problems in Africa’s energy sector,” Mr. Afful stated.
“At African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa, both in our 2020 digital and 2021 hybrid formats, is looking forward to working with energynewsafrica.com by connecting with industry elites and professionals within the energy sector in Ghana and the rest of Africa.
The Digital African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa offers an inspiring online platform with world-class speakers, live discussions, digital networking and product showcases as we address industry hot topics and trends through our invited industry leading experts, relevant content and learnings. Through the media partnership with energynewsafrica.com we aim to attract regional role-players to our free-to-attend digital event in 2020 and hybrid event in 2021 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,” says Chanelle Hingston, Group Director: Power & Energy Africa, Clarion Energy.
Clarion Events Africa is a multi-award-winning Cape Town-based exhibition and conference producer across the continent in the infrastructure, energy and mining sectors. Other well-known events include the Utility CEO Forums, Future Energy East Africa, Future Energy Nigeria, Nigeria Mining Week, Africa Mining Forum and DRC Mining Week.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Maersk Drilling has set an ambitious target of lowering the intensity of CO2 emissions from its drilling operations by 50% by 2030.
The target is supported by Maersk Drilling’s strategic focus on efficiency gains, which also leads to reduced CO2 emissions.
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our society today, and we want to do our part in addressing this. The global demand for energy is rising and the expert consensus is that renewable energy will not be able to replace all traditional energy production within the foreseeable future. Therefore, the answer must be to provide affordable energy, including oil and gas, while keeping CO2 emissions under control. Our contribution to a sustainable energy future is to significantly reduce emissions from our operations and to explore ways to store CO2,” says CEO Jørn Madsen.
The reduction target will place Maersk Drilling as a leader among drilling contractors, and initiatives so far include the first-ever rig to operate on shore power and the upgrade of two of the world’s largest jack-ups to hybrid, low-emission rigs. In addition, Maersk Drilling recently announced that it has, amongst other, joined a consortium maturing one of the most progressed CO2 storage projects in Denmark.
Maersk Drilling’s emissions reduction target is in line with most oil and gas companies’ 2030 targets and supports the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
“Sustainability is an area of concern, also for our customers, and by being a leader in low-emission offshore drilling, we maintain a differentiated offering which can help customers in reaching their targets. Investing in climate action is a key focus area for us and we are committed to being at the forefront, leveraging our vast experience with operating in Norway, where sustainability requirements are very high,” says CEO Jørn Madsen.
Maersk Drilling estimates that about half the target can be achieved via further efficiency gains and known technical solutions and concepts, while the other half will be facilitated by investments in innovation in this space. The target will be measured as tonnes CO2 emissions relative to three parameters: contracted days, drilled meter, and revenue, with 2019 being the baseline year.
In addition to the emissions reductions target, Maersk Drilling’s sustainability strategy contains initiatives within a range of areas, including a target of increasing the share of onshore female leaders to 30% across all leadership levels.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria will soon commission seven new modular refineries which are at the various stages of completion, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, the Director for the Department of Petroleum Resources, has revealed.
“By 2022, Nigeria will become a net exporter of petroleum products because all these refineries under construction will come on-stream,” he said.
According to him, the West African nation is looking at about 750,000 barrels of oil per day.
He said with the government championing the move to convert vehicles to be able to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas, only rich individuals would be using petrol to power their cars in two years’ time.
Auwalu said an industry-wide consultation was being facilitated to ensure a smooth and quick transition to cleaner automotive fuel under the government’s autogas policy.
According to him, the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that majority of vehicles in Nigeria are fueled by autogas in the next few years.
He gave the indication last Wednesday during the visit of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to the DPR headquarters in Lagos.
Describing gas as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol, he said deepening gas utilisation would mitigate the impact of the recent petrol deregulation.
Auwalu said, “Nigerians should have a choice of energy they want to use. That is price freedom. We want motorists to switch to autogas (CNG, LPG, or LNG) because it is cheaper and cleaner than petrol.
“In the next two years, PMS will be for people who have money. We believe that this will reduce the cost of transportation, which will positively affect other sectors of the economy.”
He said engagement with stakeholders on the conversion and colocation of autogas at existing petrol stations across the country had already started.
According to him, with a proven gas reserve of 203 trillion cubic feet, Nigeria is a major gas country, but unfortunately, gas utilisation is only about 5.5 per cent, which is still very low despite the progress made in the last 10 years.
The DPR helmsman said that apart from autogas, the government was also committed to utilisation of gas for industries, power, agriculture and cooking, adding that it had demonstrated this commitment through various initiatives and policies.
He noted that the 10 per cent contribution of the petroleum sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product was unacceptable as it had the potential of contributing more.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
The Nigerian Hotels Association, the Network for Electricity Consumers Advocacy of Nigeria, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, Hotel Owners Forum, Abuja, and Power Up Nigeria have kicked against increases in power tariff and petrol price.
At a joint press conference in Abuja on Friday, the groups rejected the hikes and demanded an urgent reversal, stressing that the hardship imposed on individuals and businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic would be worsened if the increases in petrol price and electricity tariff persist.
In a speech jointly signed by the presidents of NHA, FTAN, HOFA, Power Up Nigeria and read by the NECAN Secretary, Uket Obonga, the groups said it was unfortunate that the Federal Government had chosen to increase the plights of Nigerians.
“It is sad to note that while other nations are enacting policies and taking measures to cushion the hardship imposed on their citizens by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government has chosen to place an unpardonable burden on Nigerians.
“This burden is not only the electricity tariff increase but also the hike in the pump price of petrol at a time that the people are suffocating under a distressed economy,” the group in a statement carried by punchng.com.
They added, “It is very unfortunate that the Federal Government could allow itself to be misled into believing that tariff increase is the silver bullet that will shoot the sector revenues to Eldorado.”
The groups argued that the root cause of the revenue problems in the power sector had remained unattended to.
According to them, this was not the first time that power distributors were agitating for tariff hike, as the past Multi Year Tariff Order reviews that ended up increasing the price of electricity did not yield the desired result.
They said, “Recall that as soon as the MYTO 2015 order came into effect on February 1, 2016, the power distribution companies began another quest for further increase.
“They flagrantly disregarded the provisions of the MYTO path and energy charges contained therein, as the Discos went ahead to choose which tariff rate to use in determining bills given to the customers.
The groups argued that the incessant request for tariff increase had become a hypothetical exercise rather than the solution to the sector’s revenue problem.
“We therefore wish to state categorically that we reject the September 1, 2020 tariff increase as ordered by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission,” they said.
They added, “We call on the Federal Government to rescind the increase because we note that there is nothing put on the ground to cushion the effect of the dual increase of the end user tariff and the pump price of petrol.”
They drew the attention of Nigerians to the fact that the new MYTO order had built performance target which the Discos were expected to meet in the course of the implementation of the order.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Sasol South Africa, an integrated chemical and energy company is partnering with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (the Alliance) to extend its efforts to lessen the impact of litter on the environment.
In celebration of World Cleanup Day 2020, Sasol South Africa will participate in the ALL_TOGETHER GLOBAL CLEANUP, a global initiative to remove litter, one piece at a time from the environment.
“We encourage Sasol South Africa employees, partners and individuals to participate and spread the word about ALL_TOGETHER GLOBAL CLEANUP. Our actions, bolstered by measurement over the two-week period, will help create positive change in the effort to rid the planet of litter,” said Thabiet Booley, Senior Vice President of Sasol’s Base Chemicals business said in a statement.
“Litter in the environment is a global challenge with local solutions, and we’re committed to safely joining together to reduce waste in our communities. Through the ALL_TOGETHER GLOBAL CLEANUP initiative participants may choose to clean up on their own, with a small group, or with family members. Whomever participants choose to participate with, everyone is encouraged to follow all local and regional COVID-19 guidelines to ensure the safest experience possible.
Beginning on World Cleanup Day 2020 (Saturday, September 19) and extending for the ensuing two weeks, volunteers from the Alliance, employees of participating member and non-member companies, partners and individuals around the world will rally to discover, identify, collect and dispose of any litter they find.
Leveraging the global network of the Alliance’s nearly 50 members, the ALL_TOGETHER GLOBAL CLEANUP expects to educate more than one million individuals about the importance of litter clean up.
The two-week window to participate in the ALL_TOGETHER GLOBAL CLEANUP gives participants the choice to take part when they are comfortable in doing so and physically distanced given their local communities’ COVID-19 safety guidance.
Litterati, winner of the Alliance and Plug and Play’s incubator program in the United States, developed the app that serves as the centerpiece to unite ALL_TOGETHER GLOBAL CLEANUP participants. The Litterati app allows for pickup efforts to be monitored with concrete data, which in turn makes it possible for changes of lasting impact—from behavioural shifts to corporate packaging changes and more. Litterati uses artificial intelligence technology to identify the litter captured in geo-tagged photos. All participants will use the app to upload photos of each piece of litter collected in order to measure and track participation throughout the two-week campaign.
In addition to Sasol South Africa employees, partners such as Plastics SA, which represents all sectors of the South African Plastics Industry including polymer producers and importers, converters, machine suppliers, fabricators and recyclers, will support the Litterati campaign for all inland clean-ups scheduled until end October 2020.
In KwaZulu Natal, the Inkwazi Isu project, which is a collaboration between Sasol and various stakeholders aiming to holistically address the pollution problem in the Amanzimtoti Catchment area, will utilise the app in support of clean up campaigns planned for World Clean-Up day on 19 September. Sasol, as a member of the South African Initiative to End Plastic Waste which is aimed at value chain collaboration to end plastic waste in the environment will also be able to use the app.
Further supplementing these efforts, award-winning youth and education initiative TED-Ed has created virtual lesson plans and videos about the issue of litter in the environment. The video-based lessons will be available on TED-Ed’s free and award-winning educational platform and translated into several languages. Visit AllTogetherCleanup.org to access the TED-Ed lesson plans and videos.
“The scale of the global litter challenge can feel daunting, but growing participation in World Cleanup Day has demonstrated that individuals are eager to do their part,” said Jacob Duer, President and CEO, Alliance to End Plastic Waste. “Through the ALL_TOGETHER GLOBAL CLEANUP, the Alliance and our members are determined to further reduce litter in our mission to end plastic waste in the environment.”
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Eyewitnesses’ accounts indicate that many of dead were pedestrians, including the students who were crossing the road to go to college.
Others who died included a group who was killed inside their car, he said.
Footage of the aftermath shared on social media shows a huge plume of black smoke billowing into the sky at the gory scene.
In June this year, four people were killed in the country’s biggest city, Lagos, after two petrol tankers collided.
The fire spread to another tanker carrying natural gas.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com 
The well data will be analyzed to better assess the potential and direct the exploratory activities in the area, Petrobras added.
Block C-M-657 was acquired in March 2018, in the 15th bidding round of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), under the Concession regime.
It is located in the southern portion of the Campos Basin.
Petrobras is the operator of the block and holds a 30 per cent stake, in partnership with ExxonMobil (40 per cent) and Equinor (30 per cent).
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
