Ghana: Boom For Electric Vehicles Industry As ECG, POBAD Partner For Electricity Supply

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: Boom For Electric Vehicles Industry As ECG, POBAD Partner For Electricity Supply
As the global push for electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing, the West African nation, Ghana, does not want to be left behind in this initiative. To this end, Ghana’s Southern electricity distribution company, ECG, is collaborating with POBAD International, a wholly-owned Ghanaian technology firm, to install electric vehicle (EV) charging systems in some strategic locations across the country to enable Ghanaians who have taste for EVs and want to own one to be able to charge them. In 2019, Ghana’s electricity regulator, Energy Commission, launched the ‘Drive Electric Initiative’ as part of effort to promote the use of electric powered vehicles for the transportation needs of Ghanaians. Since the launching of the initiative, ECG started collaborating with market players to closely monitor the EV trend in Ghana in order to focus on the provision of appropriate and safe charging systems for EV users. On Thursday, November 19, 2020, ECG, in collaboration with POBAD International, launched the EV charging system with a test run of an EV to officially add Ghana to the register of countries that are introducing the new technology in their transportation industry.
Paul Badoo, Managing Director of POBAD Int. Ltd explaining how the electric vehicle charging system works
Speaking at the launching of the initiative, Managing Director of ECG, Kwame Agyeman-Budu, said his outfit had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with POBAD International Ltd to pilot the operations of EV charging system in strategic locations in Accra over the next three months. Mr Agyeman-Budu who speech was read for him by his deputy, Ing. Jones Ofori Addo said the pilot would afford ECG the opportunity to carry out a thorough engineering and commercial studies into the effects of the EV charging system on EC’s electricity distribution networks, the energy consumption rate of the different charging systems and any other issues. According to him, the results from the pilot would guide all interested parties, namely automobile dealers, EV charging companies, EV users, regulators and policy makers to contribute meaningfully to the development of the EV subsector in Ghana. Mr Agyeman-Budu said the EV sector provides enormous opportunities not only for ECG but also for the corporate and business community in Ghana. “We wish to call on the Ghana Standards Authority, the Energy Commission, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and other relevant bodies and institutions to work together with ECG to develop standards and regulations to guide and govern the growing EV sector in Ghana,” he said. Managing Director of POBAD International Ltd, Paul Badoo said his outfit would also partner with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to replicate the initiative in the Northern part of the country. So far, the company has installed two EC charging sites at the A&C Mall in East Legon, Accra, and Stanbic Heights, Airport City. “More of these sites will be completed in 2021,” he said. The company plans to install ultra-fast EV charging hardware which would charge electric vehicles between 15 and 30 minutes at their partner filling stations along the major highways to offer support to EV drivers when they travel between towns and other regions in Ghana. “As we strive to serve clients’ cutting edge in Electric Vehicle charging technology, POBAD intends to install a few wireless EV charging hardware to prepare customers for the future,” Mr Badoo stated. Touching on the payment option, he said “payment for the use of EV charge-up hardware will be strictly cashless.The use of a bank issued credit and debit card, or an authorised mobile pay Apps will be made possible when our integration with some financial service partners is completed in the near future.”
Ing. Jones Ofori Addo, Deputy Managing Director at ECG
Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy, Lawrence Apaalse, who represented the sector Minister, noted that the advent of EVs in the country would help to make good the utilisation of the excess energy the country has been paying for. He allayed the fears of those who think that the electricity consumption by EVs could limit electricity supply to domestic consumption. “Already, we have more than we need for our daily use and so filling in more demand would rather help us consume the excess we are paying for without utilising it,” he explained.
Mr Lawrence Apaalse, Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy
Mr Apaase commended ECG for the initiative, saying it would not only benefit individuals but also help Ghana by helping the country stay compliant with United Nations Development Goals especially Goal 7, which is about clean energy. The Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the Energy Commission, Mr. Kofi Agyarko, who lauded the collaboration between ECG and POBAD International Ltd, assured the commitment of Energy Commission to ensure that standards and regulations are put in place soon to regulate the Electric Vehicle industry in Ghana.
Kofi Agyarko,Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the Energy Commission
Nana Addo Tetebo, President of Ghana Electrical Contractors Association

Kosmos Energy Books $50m Net Loss For Third Quarter 2020

Michael Creg Afful
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Kosmos Energy Books $50m Net Loss For Third Quarter 2020
Kosmos Energy, a leading deepwater exploration and production company has recorded a net loss of $50 million in the third quarter of 2020. According to the company’s third quarter results, it generated a net loss of $37 million or $0.09 per diluted share, adding that when adjusted for certain items that impact the comparability of the results, the company made an adjusted net loss of $50 million or $0.12 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2020. “Net production (2)-56, 700 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) with sales of 59, 500 boepd revenue- $225 million, or $41.05 per boe,” the report stated. Kosmos production expenses for the period was $84 million, $15.39 per boe, adding that, general and administrative expenses for the period was $18 million, while $9 million cash, $9 million non-cash was chalked for equity-based compensation.
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Touching on capital expenditure, the report noted that $53 million was made for based business capital expenditure and $47 million Mauritania and Senegal non-cash capital expenditures. “At the end of the third quarter, the company was in a net underlift position of approximately 0.8 million barrels of oil,” the report explained. Commenting on the company’s third quarter performance, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kosmos, Andrew G. Inglis said: “Kosmos delivered robust operational performance in the third quarter, despite elevated storm activity driving temporary shit-ins in the Gulf of Mexico. Production in Ghana and Equatorial Guinea was in line with expectations, with the reliability improvements seen in the first half of the year continuing into the second half.” He further explained that with impact of COVID-19 and one of the worst storm season on record in the Gulf of Mexico, full year production is expected to come in at 61,000-62,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. With reference to Mauritania and Senegal, Mr. Inglis stressed that the partnership continues to make good progress with Phase 1 of the Torture project expected to be around 50 percent completed by year end. The operation in that area, he maintained, has put significant effort into optimising Phase 2, which they believe is now the most competitive brownfield LNG market backdrop, adding, “the Torture project is expected to provide an excellent return on investment for Kosmos.” With what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico, the Kosmos CEO said its financial facility and frontier exploration asset sale to Shell, they have taken additional steps to bolster the balance sheet and have ample liquidity to navigate the current period of low and volatile commodity price. Source: www.energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: PPP Promises To Increase Renewable Energy Penetration From 10% To 20% If Elected

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: PPP Promises To Increase Renewable Energy Penetration From 10% To 20% If Elected
The Progressive People’s Party, one of the opposition political parties in the Republic of Ghana, has promised to double the penetration of renewable energy in the country’s national energy mix from the 10 percent to 20 percent should it win power in the 2020 general elections. Ghana is a signatory to the Paris Climate Change Agreement and has promised to ensure 10 percent renewable energy penetration in the country’s energy mix. Though the country missed the 2020 target of achieving the 10 percent penetration of renewable energy, the government has initiated a number of projects to ensure that the country meets its renewable energy penetration target. However, the PPP’s Director for Research and Spokesperson for Energy and Sustainable Jobs, Paul Agyemang Bioh made the party’s intention known at the maiden dialogue series organised by the Institute for Energy Security (IES) that renewable energy should be given the attention. The dialogue series, which was the maiden edition hosted by the Institute, focused on the Energy Manifestos of the political parties contesting this year’s election. The dialogue sought to bring together industry players in Ghana’s energy sector to interrogate the various policies and plans of the political parties within the country’s energy sector. The platform also gave the opportunity to drive the interest and make necessary recommendations in Ghana’s transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy. Mr. Agyemang Bioh intimated that the proposal by the PPP is in tandem with the current global trajectory of event in the energy sector that has been catapulted by the global pandemic that struck most parts of the globe from February this year. He said, “The PPP is pushing for not 10 percent but 20 percent of renewable energy capacity in our electricity mix.” Mr. Agymang Bioh also offered the plan of the PPP on biomass. He said, “Biomass is heavily used in our rural and peri-urban areas and PPP believes that the push of LPG into this sector will help so that there will be less pressure in our forests.” Speaking on partnerships and participation in the sector’s growth, he explained that the PPP would work to limit unwarranted political administration interference in the non-policy aspects of the energy sector in Ghana as it seeks to work with players in the energy sector to optimise the existing energy economy for rapid industrialization.

Libya: Total Bets Big On Libya’s Oil Industry

Michael Creg Afful
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Libya: Total Bets Big On Libya’s Oil Industry
French Total plans to increase its investments in Libya’s oil industry, the National Oil Corporation said, adding it had discussed with the company raising Libya’s production to “the highest levels.” Total has stakes in several Libyan oil fields, including the nation’s biggest, Sharara. The field, along with many others, was shut down for more than eight months this year after groups affiliated with the eastern government blockade oil export terminals, which pushed Libya’s oil output from above 1 million bpd to less than 100,000 bpd. In late September, when the Libyan National Army started lifting the blockades from the terminals, production began increasing and has to date topped 1.2 million bpd. However, earlier this month, NOC warned that this level of production may not be sustainable. “The National Oil Corporation asserts that it may not be able to sustain the current production levels and these levels may be reduced or totally ceased under the reluctance of some entities and their hindering of NOC’s efforts to increase production and restore the prosperity of the national economy,” the company said in a statement.
Biden’s Energy Transition Policy Likely To Crash Oil Production In Sub-Saharan Africa-Agunbiade
Even so, Libya has signaled it would not be joining the OPEC+ production control effort, from which it has been exempted due to the frequent production outages caused by the conflict between the eastern-affiliated LNA and the Government of National Accord, which was recognized by the UN. In fact, NOC’s chairman Mustafa Sanalla recently said that Libya might consider joining the cuts only when it reaches a production level of 1.7 million bpd. This would be more than the country produced prior to the 2011 civil war that saw the end of the rule of Muammar Ghadaffi. Libya’s fast production ramp-up has added one more pain to OPEC’s already substantial load as the cartel still grapples with a global oil supply overhang that has been slow to decline amid the continuing pandemic. The outlook remains gloomy, too, with reports suggesting there may be internal divisions in OPEC regarding whether it should extend the current rate of cuts, deepen them or reduce them as initially planned. Source: Oilprice.com

The Libyan Oil Industry’s Story of Recovery – And What it Means for the Rest of Africa (Opinion)

Michael Creg Afful
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The Libyan Oil Industry’s Story of Recovery – And What it Means for the Rest of Africa (Opinion)
By: NJ Ajuk, Chairman of African Energy Chamber If I called 2020 a terrible year for the oil industry, no one would take exception. Demand collapsed in the spring, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has yet to recover fully. Prices then collapsed in April as OPEC and Russia walked away from production curbs and flooded the market with crude that no one wanted or needed, and once again, they have yet to regain all of the ground they have lost. There have been a few bright spots, though. One of those is Libya, which has managed to overcome some very daunting challenges. I’d like to tell you the story of how that happened. Starting Near Rock Bottom When the African Energy Chamber (AEC) started drawing up our 2021 Africa Energy Outlook, which was released on Nov. 10, Libya’s oil industry was still struggling in the face of persistent civil conflict. At that time, the country was still producing less than 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, down from more than 900,000 bpd at the start of 2020. Its refineries, pipelines, and Mediterranean export terminals were almost entirely idle because of the blockade mounted by the Libyan National Army (LNA), a militia headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, during a major offensive campaign that began in mid-January. As a result, most of its oil fields were also idle. The National Oil Corporation (NOC), which was determined to remain neutral in the conflict, made several attempts to lift force majeure declarations and recommence production over the summer, but without success. These struggles are addressed in our 2021 forecast: “Libya struggles to maintain (its) sustainable oil production capacity (of) around 1 million bpd. In the latest ongoing struggle for power between GNA, an UN-recognized body (set up) to govern Libya, and LNA forces, (an) army of rebels led by General Khalifa Haftar (supported by Russia, Egypt, and UAE), force majeure has been imposed on oil exports in the country from January 2020. Due to this, currently, Libya’s oil production has plummeted to almost 10% of its capacity.” Because of all these challenges, Libya has languished. It has had no way of monetizing its primary export commodity and source of cash. It has lost many billions of dollars. It hasn’t even been able to extract or refine enough crude to cover domestic demand for fuel. And it certainly hasn’t succeeded in resolving the disputes over regional distribution of oil revenue that helped drive the LNA’s attacks on the Government of National Accord (GNA), an interim government based in Tripoli and backed by the United Nations. Nor has Libya been able to find a way to rid tank farms and other oil infrastructure of the foreign soldiers and mercenaries deployed by Turkey and the other third parties with an interest in the country. But things began to change in mid-September, when the LNA and its allies sat down with the GNA for yet another round of UN-brokered peace talks. A Month of Progress Initially, there didn’t seem to be much reason for optimism. After all, the two sides had failed to come to terms so many times before! This time, though, was different.This time, the GNA and the LNA struck a deal. They didn’t go so far as to sign a peace agreement. Instead, they announced a one-month cease-fire deal on Sept. 18. The parties indicated they hoped to draw up a final agreement within the next month. They also made clear that Haftar had agreed to lift the oil blockade while the temporary deal remained in force. Immediately after the cease-fire was declared, the NOC got right to work. It started bringing coastal terminals back online so that Libya could export oil again. Its regional production units began lifting force majeure declarations on one oil field after another. It started bringing refineries back into production. It started the process of inspecting infrastructure facilities to determine whether they were “safe” — that is, not occupied by foreign troops — and therefore eligible to resume regular business operations. And by the time the one-month cease-fire expired on Oct. 18, the NOC had already managed to bring oil production back up to 500,000 bpd. This was a huge achievement. Think of it! In just a few short weeks, Libya managed to increase output by more than 400,000 bpd, thereby regaining about half of the ground it lost as a result of the LNA blockade. And it did so despite the extensive damage inflicted on oil infrastructure during the blockade. There was a problem, though. Big Breakthroughs When the cease-fire ended on Oct.18, the GNA and the LNA hadn’t yet achieved their goal of signing a final agreement. Fortunately, though, they had agreed to extend talks for another six days. As a result, the LNA did not impose another blockade, and the NOC and its subsidiaries continued to put fields, pipelines, terminals, and refineries back into action. Then on Oct. 23 —one day ahead of the new deadline — there was another breakthrough during talks in Geneva. On that day, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) declared that the parties had finalized a more comprehensive cease-fire agreement. It described the deal as permanent and applicable to the entire country. What’s more, the agreement also removed one of the biggest problems facing the Libyan oil industry — the challenge posed by the foreign soldiers and mercenaries still occupying oil fields and infrastructure facilities. According to Stephanie Williams, the UN’s Acting Special Representative for Libya, the deal made provisions for all such troops to leave Libya within three months. As a result, the NOC has been able to push forward with its campaign to restart the oil industry. On Oct. 26, the company said in a statement that it was in a position to “(declare) the end of the blockades at all Libyan fields and ports.” Then on Nov. 9, it announced that it had brought production up to more than 1 million bpd. (To be exact, it reported that oil output had reached the level of 1,036,035 bpd.) This is another huge achievement. Again, think of it! In less than two months, Libya has managed to go from producing just a fraction of its usual volume to more than 1 million bpd. It has pushed crude oil output up more than tenfold, bringing major fields such as Sharara and El Feel back into action. It has also succeeded in reactivating the export terminals on the Mediterranean coast and is working to ramp up processing operations at its refineries. Challenges and Lessons All of these successes make for a good story, don’t they? Even better, the story is true. (I’d like to think it also reflects well on the AEC, which did predict in our Africa Energy Outlook that Libyan crude oil production was set to recover as civil conflict simmered down.) But is the story really over? Probably not. First, we have to wait and see whether the cease-fire holds. All of the parties involved seem optimistic, but they haven’t yet revealed whether they’ve managed to resolve quarrels about how to distribute oil revenues. The LNA, which controls most of southern and eastern Libya, has often claimed that the GNA, which holds the northwestern part of the country, keeps an unfairly large portion of these revenues for itself. In turn, their conflict has negatively affected NOC, despite the company’s attempts to remain neutral so that it could continue operating (and bringing in money) despite the civil conflict. Those challenges likely will continue if the question of oil revenue distribution isn’t answered to the satisfaction of all concerned parties. Next, if Libya does manage to hold together and keep output up, it will have to come to terms with OPEC, which is still working with Russia and other countries to support oil prices with a regime of production quotas. Libya hasn’t been subject to those quotas this year because of the blockade, but it’s now extracting more than 1 million bpd. What’s more, it expects to bring production up to 1.3 million bpd within the next few months, and Mustafa Sanalla, the head of the NOC, has said that Libya won’t fall into line with the quota system until it can stabilize yields at 1.7 million bpd. OPEC may not agree with that proposition, especially since world crude prices have fallen in response to reports of renewed development activity in Libya. Whatever the case, there are at least two lessons to be learned from Libya’s recent victories. One is persistence. Despite the repeated failure of attempts to work out an agreement between the LNA and the GNA, the UN and other parties did not give up. This should be a lesson for other African countries that count civil conflict as one of the obstacles to the development of oil and gas resources. Certainly, this approach appears to have benefited South Sudan, which has been embroiled in civil war for most of the time since it attained independence in 2011. The country has been under the rule of a unity government since the finalization of a peace agreement between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his long-time rival Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon earlier this year. The other is the necessity of paying attention to regional issues. The conflict between the GNA and the LNA wasn’t just a battle for supremacy. It was also a quarrel over how best to distribute revenues between the central government and the regions that were home to most of the oil fields and other infrastructure that generated those revenues. This is definitely one of the lessons that Nigeria has had to learn. The West African country’s federal government has seen over and over again that the residents of oil-bearing regions such as Ogoniland are willing to fight if they believe they are being denied a fair share of the money that comes from the places where they make their homes. Neither of these lessons is easy to absorb. It’s easy to give up on negotiations when you’ve already failed repeatedly, and it’s easy to ignore the periphery if you’re one of the lucky people in the center. But I’d like to see other African producers think about them as they watch Libyan production continue to ramp up. Source: www.energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Three Perish In Ho Gas Explosion

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: Three Perish In Ho Gas Explosion
Report reaching energynewsafrica.com indicates that three out of 14 victims who suffered various degree of injuries following a gas explosion incident at the Mighty Gas filling station in Ho, in the Volta Region of the Republic of Ghana, have died while on admission at the Ho Teaching Hospital. According to Kasapafmonline.com’s sources at the hospital, the deceased were two males and a female. Though the portal could not give details of the deceased persons, it said they included a mother of three, who was said to have gone to the fuel station to purchase LPG for her bakery business but was caught up in the fire. Energynewsafrica.com reported last Wednesday, 11th November, 2020, of a gas explosion at Mighty Gas Filling Station in Ho. The explosion left 14 persons including 12 males and two other females suffering from burns. The victims included pump attendants and other customers who had gone to fill their cylinders. Among them was a lady undertaking her National Service with the Ho Technical University. Meanwhile, some of the other 11 injured persons are said to have been discharged. Source: www.energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Gov’t Is Paying You So Stop Issuing Threats –Deputy Energy Minister Tells IPPs’ Chamber

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: Gov’t Is Paying You So Stop Issuing Threats –Deputy Energy Minister Tells IPPs’ Chamber
The Government of Ghana has expressed unhappiness about the posture and manner in which the Chamber of Independent Power Producers Bulk Consumers and Distributors (CIPDiB) has been threatening to shut down their power plants. According to the government, it does not understand why the IPPs Chamber is being used as a pressure institution to hound it when the latter is already fulfilling its monetary obligations to them. CIPDiB, which is the umbrella body of Independent Power Producers in the West African country, has claimed that the government owed them to the tune of U.S$1.5 billion as at July 2020. However, the government has managed to pay half a billion of the debt, thereby, bringing the total government’s indebtedness to about U.S$1 billion.
Ghana: NPP Are Better Managers Of The Energy Sector-Amin Adam
Energynewsafrica.com understands that the government, through the Ministry of Finance, had an arrangement with the IPPs to settle the outstanding debts which included debt inherited from the previous administration. In a letter dated 4th November, 2020, addressed to the Energy Minister, John-Peter Amewu, and copied to President Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, the Chairman of CIPDiB Board, Togbe Afedi expressed worry about how their calls for the government to pay them for the services they had rendered to the nation had been misconstrued. The group, then, issued a warning notice to the CEO of Ghana Grid Company and copied ECG and Ministry of Energy, declaring their intention to shut down their power plants over failure of the government to settle 80 percent of its indebtedness. Speaking on an Accra-based Asaase Radio with Emmanuel Aboagye Wiafe on Monday, November 16, 2020, Deputy Minister for Energy in charge of Power, William Owuraku Aidoo accused the IPPs’ Chamber of engaging in blackmail. “The way we see it, is that the Chamber is being used unfortunately as a pressure institution to hound the government? The government is engaged in a one-on-one discussion with the IPPs and I’m talking of about entities like Karpower, Aksa, Sunon Asogli etc. We have understanding with them vis-a-vis the payments that are outstanding and the government is making good by paying them cash and bond, and as far as the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Finance are concerned, we don’t have any problem with the power producers,” he said. Mr. Owuraku Aidoo explained that the purpose of setting up the Cash Waterfall Mechanism was to ensure that monies due to all entities within the power generating, transmission, distribution and fuel suppliers were paid, stressing that though it is not providing all the monies needed to pay the IPPs, some irregularity of payment is coming from it. He revealed that the Ministry of Finance is setting up ‘Delta Fund’ with the objective of plucking the shortfall in collection so that going forward, the government would be able to pay IPPs and also fuel suppliers. ‘‘In the interim, while that is being done, the Finance Ministry is doing its utmost to keep everybody happy and I do believe that having spoken to these individual IPPs, they are reasonably happy with the arrangement we have with them,’’ he said. He, therefore, did not understand why three weeks to the General Elections, the Chamber would be issuing threatening statement to the effect of pulling the plug on the government.
Ghana : NPP Not Better Managers Of The Energy Sector (Opinion)
“I have spoken to the major producers and they confirmed to me that they are not part of what one might call a conspiracy to create an unnecessary panic in the system,” he said. According to the Deputy Energy Minister, the government would not sit aloof for the Chamber to continue to threaten the country, saying they would pull the plug. “We don’t want any IPP to threaten to pull the plug and as a sovereign state, we will not allow that to happen,” he said. Source: www.energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: ECG Invests GH¢66 Million To Boost Power Supply In Eastern Region

Michael Creg Afful
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Ghana: ECG Invests GH¢66 Million To Boost Power Supply In Eastern Region
Ghana’s southern power distribution company, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) says it has invested GH¢66million in infrastructure projects to improve power supply in the eastern part of the West African nation. Among the projects undertaken by the utility company included the construction of 2 by 10, 33/11 MVA primary substation at Suhum at a cost of GH¢2,809,524.48, the complete laying of submarine cable in the Afram River at a cost of GH¢7,464,483.19 to enhance the quality of power supply at Afram Plains and the conversion of a 33KV single circuit feeder to a double circuit feeder from Akyem-Tafo to Koforidua costing GH¢11 million Cedis. Speaking at the commissioning of a 2 by 10 MVA 33/11KV primary substation at Mpraeso to serve the Kwahu-Ridge and the Afram Plains enclave at a cost of GH¢55million cedis, Managing Director of ECG, Mr Kwame Agyeman-Budu, explained that the installation of the substation will enhance, customer-end-voltage in the supply communities and ensure the availability of excess power required for both present and future investment.
Mr. Kwame Agyeman-Budu, (Left), Managing Director of Electricity Company of Ghana
He indicated that due to the strategic location of the station, it was possible for the Eastern Region to link the Ashanti Strategic Business Unit (SBU) electrical network at Agogo. Mr Agyeman-Budu noted that several network development projects had been completed for reinforcement of the primary distribution network and also for upgrading and expanding of the networks. He said the completion of the projects as well as the injection into the network system, would improve the flexibility of overloaded feeders, the voltage profile as well as an increase in systems capacity, to accommodate the increasing demand of customers. The Eastern Regional General Manager, Mr Micheal Baah stated that prior to the construction of the substation, the Kwahu ridge used to experience erratic and poor-quality power supply due to the length of the 11KV feeder at the Nkawkaw primary substation, which served the area. He said the situation made management provided a 33/11 KV mobile substation in 2016 to be used temporarily, while measures were taken for the construction of a permanent primary substation. He noted that the completion of the station will bring flexibility in the supply of power because the Region could now link all the four outgoing feeders to the station to reduce the impact of power outages. Source: www.energynewsafrica.com

Camco Clean Energy Joins Green Climate Fund’s List Of Accredited Entities

Michael Creg Afful
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Camco Clean Energy Joins Green Climate Fund’s List Of Accredited Entities
Camco Clean Energy (Camco), a UK-based clean energy company has received approval as an accredited entity by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at the 27th Board meeting being held last week. As an accredited entity, Camco can now put forward proposals to the Fund and then oversee, supervise, manage and monitor these proposals when approved. The GCF was set up by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010 and is the world’s primary mechanism for helping developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and enhance their ability to respond to climate change. The GCF’s second replenishment has recently exceeded US$10 billion of pledges, and the Fund has already committed over US$7 billion for climate action, with accredited entities ranging from the world’s largest development banks to micro organisations. According to its accreditation status, Camco will be able to propose private sector projects and programmes based in any developing country that are up to US$250 million in size and are low to medium risk. Commenting on the GCF Board’s approval, Geoff Sinclair, Managing Director at Camco, said: “We are delighted and proud to be welcomed as a GCF accredited entity and are committed to supporting its aim of creating a paradigm shift in climate action and driving forward the goals of the Paris Agreement. “It’s taken two years and a lot of hard work to get to this point and this marks a huge achievement for us and I would like to thank the GCF Secretariat, Accreditation Panel and Miles Austin at Advisory 42 for working with us. Now it’s time to begin work on presenting several exciting and innovative concepts notes for the GCF’s consideration, all of which will support the kind of active engagement of the private sector that is critical for catalysing wide-scale climate action.” Camco has been providing innovative financial solutions and management services to enable renewable energy development and deploy climate finance for more than 30 years. The company has offices in Accra, Helsinki, Johannesburg, London and Nairobi, and has on-the-ground experience and world-leading financial expertise in originating, developing, financing and implementing renewable energy and electrification projects in developing and established markets across the world. Since 2015, Camco has been the investment manager of the UK Government-funded Renewable Energy Performance Platform, a £148 million fund to support the growth of small scale, distributed renewable energy in countries across Africa. “Being a relatively small company gives us the freedom to be fast-acting and nimble, which are important qualities for developing the small and distributed renewable energy markets in developing countries, which often falls outside the scope of many of the larger GCF-accredited entities,” added Sinclair. “Combined with our diverse team’s experience in finance and investment, risk management, development, engineering, policy, and sustainability, we have every confidence that we will prove to be a very useful new tool in the GCF toolbox.” Source:www.energynewsafrica.com

African Energy Chamber Releases Its 2021 TOP 25 Movers And Shakers To Watch List

Michael Creg Afful
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African Energy Chamber Releases Its 2021 TOP 25 Movers And Shakers To Watch List
The African Energy Chamber (Chamber) is pleased to launch its second annual Top 25 Movers and Shakers list. Forming part of its Africa Energy Outlook 2021 report, the list profiles key individuals who are expected to impact the industry in Africa significantly in 2021. Featuring prominent figures in the African oil, gas and power sectors such as, Rebecca Miano, CEO of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC; Bernard Looney, CEO of BP; Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, South Africa and HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources who plays a key role within OPEC, to name a few. The diverse list highlights key individuals who stand to contribute significantly in shaping the continent’s energy economy in 2021 through specific projects and initiatives that they are involved in.
Ghana : NPP Not Better Managers Of The Energy Sector (Opinion)
“We are delighted to once again bring this list to the industry. We believe it is an important to highlight people who through their amazing contribution will significantly impact the rebound of Africa’s energy sector,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “It goes without saying that 2020 has presented some unprecedented challenges to an overall emerging African energy sector and it is through people such as these mentioned on our list that we can begin to plan a way forward,” he added. The Chamber welcomes and applauds the men and women who continue to be instrumental in the growth and development of the African energy sector. At the Chamber we pride ourselves in being up front and vocal about our mission for Africa and we believe the people on this list align with this. “Our Top 25 Movers and Shakers list depicts the future of the oil, gas and energy future. These selected individuals have shone the light for Africa, and we feel it is our responsibility to shine a deserved light on them. We are enthusiastic to see their progress in the new year and look forward to what, appears to be an optimistic year ahead,” said Mickael Vogel, Director of Strategy at the African Energy Chamber. As 2020 closes, we acknowledge our Top 25 panel who have set the standard and have been trailblazers through their work and demonstrated character through their accomplishments during. It is with that intension that we look forward to 2021. Most importantly, we aim to see these prominent figures succeed in their enterprises and other initiatives in 2021 and beyond. Source:www.energynewsafrica.com

Liberia: Gov’t Announces Free Electricity Token For Eligible Household

Michael Creg Afful
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Liberia: Gov’t Announces Free Electricity Token For Eligible Household
The Liberia Electricity Corporation in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has announced the implementation of a priority initiative of President George Weah, to provide electricity tokens to eligible households. The Government said it is funding a one-time US$20.00 voucher per household. Issuance of the Vouchers started on November 16 at 12:00 noon and it’s expected to end on Wednesday, 16th December 2020 at 12:00 noon. All eligible customers will receive the equivalent of US$20.00 energy token for one (1) month on their meter(s). Customers with unmetered connections and registered on the LEC’s database will receive the US$20.00 through the LEC Office during the payment of their monthly bill. Eligible customers would be able to receive their tokens in the following ways: 1. Go to the retail vendors and request a reprint of the last token on your meter. Please provide a contact phone number and address to the vendor. 2. Customers using their mobile phones kindly dial *288# on Lonestar MTN phones (at no cost), select 1 from the menu for the relief token and follow the prompts. This is the preferred method as this will ensure social distancing and make it easier to provide subsequent relief tokens once approved and issued. 3. Call the customer service numbers below for any inquiries. A dedicated call center has been established with agents responsible for receiving and handling all calls from customers about the vouchers/tokens. The agents would be available from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Mondays to Saturdays. Customers who call in would be required to provide their details (name, meter number, phone number, and address) and the vouchers/tokens will be sent by SMS for customer’s uploading. The customer call center numbers to call are 0881-379912 0775-275799.

OTC 2021 Event Postponed Until August

Michael Creg Afful
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OTC 2021 Event Postponed Until August
Organisers of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston have postponed the 2021 event until August due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Back in April the board of directors made the call to cancel the 2020 event due to “continued health and travel concerns”. Now next year’s event, typically held in May, is being pushed back to August due to “ongoing challenges presented by Covid-19” and “out of the greatest care for the health and safety of our partners, attendees, exhibitors, staff and community”.
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Hundreds of business men and women from north-east Scotland fly to Texas every year for the showpiece event. OTC said it will be communicating with partners, speakers and exhibitors to develop new “in person and virtual plans” for the 2021 event, to be held on August 16-19. News of two vaccines has broken in the last week, hoped to be a game changer for various industries, including events and offshore oil and gas, however it is unclear whether their roll-out will come in time for major conferences like OTC. In a statement, organisers said: “By postponing OTC to the second half of 2021, we aim to preserve the significant work of the program committee and authors, as well as minimise the economic impact this decision has on businesses in Houston and throughout the industry.” OTC was first held in 1969 and has blossomed into the world’s largest offshore oil and gas industry conference. For north-east Scotland, the May events calendar should at least have Subsea Expo, a smaller event to be held at the P&J Live in Aberdeen. Last week organisers confirmed the event, typically held in February, would be pushed to May due to the pandemic. Subsea UK chief executive Neil Gordon said the three-month delay would help the organisation make sure exhibitors and delegates can make meaningful connections and learn about new business opportunities in safety.

Nigeria’s Cooking Gas Import Dips By 35%

Michael Creg Afful
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Nigeria’s Cooking Gas Import Dips By 35%
Nigeria’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, import dipped by 35.13 percent to 57,187.75 metric tonnes in vacuum, MT VAC, in September 2020, against 88,157.108 MT VAC recorded in the previous month, August 2020. According to the September 2020 LPG supply data of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, the LPG, also known as cooking gas, imported in September 2020, was 37.81 percent lower than the 91,951.263 MT VAC imported in September 2019. Using average LPG price of $300 per metric tonne and official exchange rate of N386 to the United States’ dollar, the 57,187.75 MT VAC of LPG imported in September 2020, translates to $17.16 million, an equivalent of N6.34 billion; the 88,157.108 MT VAC of LPG imported in August 2020 translates to $26.45 million, an equivalent of N9.79 billion; while the 91,951.267 MT VAC of LPG imported in September 2019, translates to $27.585 million, an equivalent of N10.207 billion. The report added that LPG valued at $40.97 billion, an equivalent of N15.159 billion, was supplied in the country in September, with a total of 136,569.1 MT VAC of LPG, 1.02 per cent lower than the 135,191.4 MT VAC of LPG, valued at $40.557 million, or N15.006 billion, recorded in September 2019. PPPRA LPG supply data further stated that the volume of LPG, also known as cooking gas, supplied in September 2020, however, represented a decline of 10.53 per cent compared to the 123,554.33 MT VAC of LPG, valued at $37.066 million, an equivalent of N13.71 billion supplied in August 2020. The PPPRA data revealed that out of the total volume of cooking gas supplied in September 2020, 57,187.75 MT VAC, representing 41.87 percent of the total, was imported, while 79,381.34 MT VAC of the commodity, representing 58.12 percent of the total was sourced locally. In comparison, in August 2020, 71.35 per cent of the LPG supplied in Nigeria was imported, while 28.65 per cent of the total was sourced locally, representing 88,157.108 Mt VAC and 35,397.221 MT VAC respectively. In addition, of the 135,191.4 MT VAC of LPG supplied in September 2019, 91,951.263 MT VAC, representing 68.02 percent of total LPG supplied and 43,240.137 MT VAC of LPG, representing 31.98 per cent of the total were imported respectively. LPG imported from US, E’Guinea The PPPRA report further stated that 45,148.396 MT VAC of LPG, representing 78.95 per cent of the 57,187.75 MT VAC of LPG supplied in September 2020 was imported from the United States, while 12,039.356 MT VAC of LPG, representing 21.05 per cent of the total, was imported from Equatorial Guinea. In addition, the report noted that a total of eight companies were responsible for the total supply of cooking gas in the country in September 2020. The companies, according to the report, are Matrix Energy, NIPCO, Algasco LPG Services Limited, a subsidiary of Vitol; Prudent Energy and Services Limited, Rainoil, Stockgap Fuels Limited, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG and Ever Oil and gas. In the import category, Matrix Energy brought in 6,380.319 MT VAC and 6,282.882 MT VAC of LPG from the United States of America; NIPCO imported 12,039.356 MT VAC of LPG from Equatorial Guinea; while Algasco imported 5,495.043 MT VAC and 16,045 MT VAC of LPG from the US. In addition, Prudent Energy and Rainoil imported 5,345.514 MT VAC and 5,598.974 MT VAC of LPG from the United States, respectively. In the locally-sourced category, Algasco obtained 17,730.162 MT VAC of LPG and 9,475.592 MT VAC from the Bonny River Terminal, BRT, NIPCO sourced 13,464.184 MT VAC and 3,741.719 MT VAC of LPG from the NLNG, Bonny; while Stock gap sourced 8,998.006 MT VAC and 9,480.627 MT VAC of LPG from the NLNG , Bonny. Furthermore, the NLNG supplied 9,286.840 MT VAC of LPG, while Ever Oil sourced 6,962.884 MT VAC of LPG from the Bonny River Terminal. Source :Vanguardngr.com

Sasol Announces Beneficial Operation Of Louisiana Low-Density Polyethylene Unit

Michael Creg Afful
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Sasol Announces Beneficial Operation Of Louisiana Low-Density Polyethylene Unit
Sasol, an integrated energy and chemical company has announced that its Low Density Polyethylene Unite has reached beneficial operation. The LDPE unit is the seventh and final Lake Charles Chemicals Complex unit to come online. The LCCP is now 100 percent complete with total capital expenditure forecast to be within the previously communicated guidance of US$12,8 billion. “This milestone safely brings our Lake Charles Chemicals Project to a close and sets the stage for the next step in the evolution of our chemicals business,” said Sasol President and Chief Executive Officer Fleetwood Grobler.
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“The completion of this unit and its impending transition to our joint venture with LyondellBasell will accelerate our transformation to a more specialty chemicals-focused company with a strong presence of base chemicals in our portfolio.” Sasol’s LDPE unit uses ExxonMobil technology and has a nameplate capacity of 420,000 tons per year (420 ktpa). LDPE is used to manufacture plastic bags, shrink wrap and stretch film, coatings for paper cups and cartons, container lids, squeezable bottles, and other applications. The beneficial operation of the final LCCP unit signals that 100% of total nameplate capacity of the LCCP is operational. The LDPE unit is one of the three LCCP plants that will form part of the Sasol/LyondellBasell Louisiana Integrated Polyethylene joint venture. To date, Sasol’s Lake Charles Chemicals Project has generated more than 800 full-time quality manufacturing jobs, with up to 6,500 people on site during construction, US$4 billion to Louisiana businesses and nearly US$200 million in local and state taxes. Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
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