The Federal Government of Nigeria and the organised labour have resolved to extend the suspension of the new electricity tariffs by one more week.
This is to enable the review technical committee to work out modalities for the implementation of the agreement reached on the electricity tariffs structure, as well as address some grey areas of the report.
This was part of the decisions reached at the meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, capital of Nigeria.
Speaking about the extension, Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof James Momoh said NERC was committed to ensuring that the power sector works no matter what it would take.
The Minister of State for Power, Prince Goddy Jedy-Agba said one million meters were already available and that distributions would start within the week.
He disclosed that the distribution would be completed before December.
The resolution read by the Chairman of the Technical Committee and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo said: “The committee adopted a two-phase approach to proffer solutions that would help resolve issues affecting the sector in the medium term while providing relief to customers immediately.
“The immediate relief would be provided to citizens for a two to three-month period (not later than December 31, 2020), being the timeline for the conclusion of an extended scope of work for the Technical Committee.”
Some of the issues to address include a timeline for the distribution of the six million electricity meters being pledged by the government as part of the palliative deal.
In the report of the committee, the Federal Government accepted to procure six million meters to be distributed by the Discos to electricity consumers without metres.
It said: “Six million meters will only be through local meter manufacturers and assemblers and will be targeted at creating local jobs and a new meter manufacturing sub-sector in the country.”
The report also provided for salary protection for electricity workers.
It said that the government would ensure that the salaries for electricity workers were protected in the revised payment waterfall structure.
The report further stated: “Mandatory monthly publication by Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of allowed billings in Naira for unmetered customers to make the capping regulation more effective.
“NERC will publish maximum charges in Naira for consumers without meters (in support of the capping regulation); freezing of customer band migration during the interim period in order to protect customers from changes in tariff during the two to three-month period of review by the Joint Technical Committee.”
The report said that Discos would be directed to temporarily suspend customer band migration.
“This means that while Discos are expected to fulfill their Performance Improvement Plans (PIP), thereby, improving the quality of service to customers, no added charges will be passed on to customers during this period. This measure is aimed at building confidence in the Service-based Tariff structure.”
Other aspects of the technical committee’s report include the inclusion of labour representation in NERC, extensive review of key sector reforms, ground Audit of implementation across Discos, review of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms set up by NERC and the Discos.
Others are gas pricing, review mechanisms for pricing the domestic supply obligation (DSO) and the foreign exchange component(s), decentralisation of the grid.
The government is to explore ways to accelerate investment and bring more players into the sector, drive investment and reduce costs for end-users. Options should be in addition to the franchising and mini-grid regulations.
On the issue of import duty waivers for the electricity sector, the committee was mandated to investigate and recommend ways for the electricity sector to receive incentives that would reduce costs across the value chain that would impact on tariff.
Organised labour, led by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Quadri Olaleye, demanded an inclusion of timelines for the implementation of the report.
They insisted that there should be a timeline for the distribution of the six million meters promised by the Federal Government.
Mr Olaleye sought to know what the Federal Government would do with the N1.7 billion it said would be saved daily from the removal of subsidy on electricity tariff.
BP has started up the second phase of its gas operations in Oman, with the launch of the Ghazeer project.
The company had expected to reach first gas at the field in 2021 but has brought the 0.5 billion cubic feet per day project on line four months ahead of schedule.
BP approved Ghazeer in April 2018.
“This is another example of our business performing while transforming. This underpins our financial framework and is absolutely central to BP. The hydrocarbon business provides funding for low carbon business and is absolutely aligned with our net zero plans,” energyvoice.com quoted BP’s executive vice president of production and operations Gordon Birrell saying in an interview.
We’re starting production from Ghazeer gas field in Oman. This major new project reflects bp’s commitment to resilient and focused hydrocarbons. Plus, using ‘green completions’ 201,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions have been saved in Oman since 2019.
Global power producer ENGIE has appointed Gillian-Alexandre Huart as Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of ENGIE Energy Access, its access to energy business in Africa tasked with providing millions of households and businesses across the continent with clean and affordable energy.
The group launched its Access to Energy (A2E) strategy in 2018, in line with the ambition of expanding its African footprint.
The strategy has now evolved into a fully-fledged business with the successful integration of solar home system companies Fenix International and ENGIE Mobisol, and mini-grids provider ENGIE PowerCorner, under one entity and one name – ENGIE Energy Access.
The integration places the business as one of the leading off-grid, Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) solar and mini-grid solutions providers in Africa with a presence in Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Mozambique.
Prior to this appointment, Huart was the managing director for EMEAI (Europe, Middle East, Africa and India) at ENGIE Impact. He began his career as a consultant with Accenture before joining the group in 2002.
In his new role he will be responsible for driving ENGIE’s ambitious goal of maintaining market leadership and providing long-term impact on the lives of Africans. Huart: “I am honoured and motivated to be leading a business with a mission that is key for ENGIE. Over 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity and we have an important role to play in addressing this gap.
“With the integration of the three companies, we are now able to serve our customers according to their specific energy needs – from basic lighting and phone charging, to more advanced systems for households all the way to powering productive use equipment to promote entrepreneurship and boost economic activity in rural communities” Huart added.
Universal electrification is the seventh of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that the global community has committed to achieve by 2030. ENGIE says it is confident that universal access to energy is achievable in the foreseeable future, through smart investments in a combination of national grid extension, solar home systems and mini-grids.
Organisers of the prestigious Ghana Energy Awards have released the list of nominees for the 4th Edition of the prestigious annual event for Ghana’s energy sector.
Featured in the list are top players in the country’s power, petroleum and renewable energy subsectors vying for the number one spot in each of the 14 competitive categories.
Competition is tight for all the awards categories including the apex Energy Personality of the Year, Chief Executive of the Year, Energy Company of the Year, Innovation Project of the Year, Rising Star, Energy Reporter of the Year, and many more.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and the World Energy Council Ghana, this industry-based awards scheme is aimed at recognising excellence and impactful innovation within the energy sector.
This year’s event is under the theme: ‘Excelling in Crisis: The Energy Sector in a Covid-19 Era’.
It is organised by the Energy Media Group, in collaboration with CH-Business Consulting Ghana.
The 2020 Ghana Energy Awards is happening on Friday October 30, 2020, at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra at 6:30pm.
Special Guest of Honour for the night is the Honourable Minister for Energy, John-Peter Amewu.
Industry partners for this initiative are the Bui Power Authority, Ghana Grid Company, Ghana Gas, Volta River Authority, Energy Commission, Menergy Technologies, Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, ECG, PURC, Association of Oil Marketing Companies and COPEC Ghana.
Validation is done by MAZARS Ghana.
For tickets and sponsorship, contact: +233 55 930 0631 and +233 54 155 5561. Also, send your enquiries to [email protected]Below is the list of the nominees:
Chevron Corporation has reportedly notified its employees in Houston office in Texas, United States of America that it plans to lay off nearly 700 employees as part of a “cost-cutting program expected to eliminate up to 15% of its workforce.
Affected employees are being asked to reapply for their existing positions, with layoffs set to take place beginning October 23rd.
According to Reuters, impacted Chevron staff will receive “enhanced severance benefits and two months to leave the company.”
A Chevron spokeswoman said majority of the employees will have their appointment terminated by the end of the year.
The Houston layoffs are part of Chevron’s broader plans to eliminate as many as 6,000 jobs worldwide.
Ghana’s Minister for Energy, John-Peter Amewu, is convinced the government led by President Akufo-Addo, has managed the country’s power sector more efficiently than the previous government did, and has, thus, asked Ghanaians to maintain the governing party in the upcoming general elections.
He noted that when the West African nation’s largest opposition party, National Democratic Party (NDC), was in power between 2008 and 2016, Ghana was thrown into power crisis for a period of five years.
Mr Amewu said the five years’ power crisis affected businesses and resulted in loss of lives.
Describing the opposition NDC as a party that “is in favour of the power crisis,” Mr Amewu said stability in the power sector ensures economic growth, as well as provides decent sources of livelihood.
He explained that it is for this reason that the current administration, under President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration, worked hard to ensure that the intermittent power supply witnessed under the previous administration became a thing of the past.
“Any Ghanaian who will like to return the country to the era of power crisis is not wishing this country any good,” he stated.
Mr Amewu gave the caution when he joined President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to commission a 6.54MW peak solar power park constructed by the Volta River Authority in Lawra in the Upper West Region.
Mr Amewu commended Volta River Authority (VRA), the consultant, Tractebel Engineering, and the contractor, Elecnor S.A from Spain.
The project is the first phase of a 17MW solar power park funded by KfW, a German Development Bank, with counterpart funding of eight million Euros from the Government of Ghana.
Mr Amewu said he was extremely happy to see a dream become a reality due to the enormous benefits that would bring to the people of Lawra and its environs.
According to Mr Amewu, the project is a bold step taken by the Government of Ghana under its Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP), in shaping Ghana’s energy sector especially with regards to doubling the country’s efforts of scaling up the production of renewable energy as well as helping to reduce the risks of climate change.
He said his Ministry would continue to encourage and support grid connected solar projects in Northern Ghana to take advantage of of the good solar energy potential.
He hinted that the Renewable Energy Amendment Bill is currently before Cabinet for consideration and approval by Parliament.
Mr Amewu explained that the Bill is intended to abolish the high feed in tariff scheme of renewable energies and provide for the future utility scale solar photovoltaic (PV) to be procured through competitive bidding.
The President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E Nana Akufo-Addo on Saturday, October 10,2020 commissioned a 6.54MWp solar plant in Lawra in the Upper West Region.
The project is the first phase of a 17MW solar power park being constructed by Ghana’s largest power generation company, Volta River Authority (VRA) in the region.
President Akufo-Addo, in February this year, cut the sod for VRA to commence the construction of 13MW and 4MW solar power projects at Kaleo and Lawra respectively.
The original capacity of the Lawra Solar Park was 4MW, but energynewsafrica.com understands there was a technical improvement and this resulted in the enhancement of the capacity without extra cost.
The 13MW, the second phase of the project, has reached an advanced stage.
The solar parks are part of the VRA’s vision to diversify its sources of power into clean and renewable energy generation.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Akufo-Addo noted that the project will help to reduce transmission losses on the country’s national grid and improve the reliability of power distribution in Lawra and its environs.
He commended the project contractor, Elecnor S.A from Spain, the consultant, Tractebel Engineering and VRA for delivering the project on schedule despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the dignitaries present at the commissioning ceremony are Minister for Energy John-Peter Amewu, Director for Renewable and Alternative Energies at the Ministry of Energy Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, Deputy Director for Renewable Energy Seth Mahu, CEO of Ghana Grid Company(GRIDCo) Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah, CEO of Volta River Authority Ing. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, Managing Director of Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) Dr. Osman Ayuba, Executive Secretary of Energy Commission Rev. Ing. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, Executive Secretary of Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, Director for System Operations at GRIDCo Mark Baah, Mr. Kweku Andoh Awotwi, board member of VRA. Director for Distribution at the Ministry of Energy Ing. Chris Anaglo and Deputy Director for Materials Ing. Sulemana.
Below are exclusive pictures from the event.H.E Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana (3rd from left)
Ghana is expected to make an estimated savings of US$3Billion following the commitment by Cenpower Generation Company Limited (Cenpower), one of the independent power producers in the Republic of Ghana to switch from depending on light crude oil (LCO) to natural gas to power their power plant.
The company has been depending on crude to power its Tema -based power plant. However, government has renegotiated with the company for them to turn to the use of natural gas. Cenpower has thus signed a gas supply agreement (GSA) with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
Gas operations are expected to begin by the end of this week.
A statement issued by Ghana’s Ministry of Finance welcomed the commitment by Cenpower, describing it as a significant milestone.
The GSA is a key part of the proposal put forward by government during negotiations with Cenpower and will deliver substantial cost savings, estimated at $3 billion over the remaining term of the Cenpower PPA.
According to the Finance Ministry, the conversion to natural gas will have important environmental benefits, as emissions will be lowered and Ghana’s abundant natural gas resources effectively utilised for the benefit of the Ghanaians and the business community.
Additionally, the move to natural gas will alleviate the considerable pressure on Government from its take-or-pay commitments with fuel suppliers and allow for the substitution of imported fuels with locally available natural gas, thus positively impacting the capital account.
Cenpower power plant
Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta said: “We welcome Cenpower’s commitment to Ghana and recognise Cenpower’s conversion to gas as a significant step in helping regenerate Ghana’s energy sector.In recent weeks, there has been increased momentum under the ESRP Consultation Process towards resolving some extremely challenging legacy issues inherited from the previous administration. We encourage all other IPPs to engage constructively with the Government negotiating team to conclude negotiations as soon as possible.IPPs have a vested interest and a significant role to play in providing a stable energy supply as well as ensuring a fair, balanced and sustainable energy sector for the people of Ghana.”
As ever, this Government is committed to building a competitive and dynamic energy sector, where private investments can thrive and the interests of the Ghanaian people and businesses continue to flourish.”
Cenpower is a major power producer in Ghana, providing approximately 10% of Ghana’s total electricity generation. This project is an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together in Ghana to attract private investment while ensuring sustainable development.
Presently, Ghana pays over US$500 million a year for unused electricity. Most of the power PPAs are legacy agreements, entered into under the previous administration.
This Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, established the Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP), identifying the policies and actions needed for financial recovery in the energy sector over a five-year horizon (2019-2023).
As part of these reforms, Government is taking steps to institute competitive bidding for future additional capacity, so as to ensure that future tariffs are fair and in line with expected pricing benchmarks.
Government has demonstrated its commitment to the ESRP by actively developing whole-of-sector initiatives and reforms, including the implementation of the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) in April 2020, which allows tariff revenues of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to be distributed in a more transparent manner.
As well, Government is managing payment of energy sector arrears, despite the challenging fiscal situation, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government negotiating team, established under the Energy Sector Recovery Task Force (ESRTF), which is helmed by the Senior Minister, is working bilaterally with independent power producers (IPPs) and gas suppliers (GSs) under the ESRP Consultation Process, to secure more favourable agreements for both parties and achieve a balanced energy sector capable of delivering fair, long-term energy partnerships and solutions.
Government has undertaken these discussions in good faith and urges all IPPs to continue working closely with the Government negotiating team to conclude negotiations as soon as possible.
In September, Government successfully secured terms for an amended PPA with CENIT Power Limited.
As part of the ESRP Consultation Process, Government has also directly engaged IPP lenders in negotiations, offering to refinance outstanding facilities at a discount through a designated Energy Fund.
Clearly, lenders have a crucial role to play in alleviating the debilitating financial strain on Government – arising from the onerous and unbalanced legacy energy sector contracts – by renegotiating on terms that provide significant tariff reductions.
Globally, financial institutions are having to reconsider their positions in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on national economies, including triggering defaults and credit downgrades.
Government urges lenders to take a sensible and pragmatic approach and urgently consider the refinancing proposals in order to conclude negotiations as quickly as possible.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
The Volta River Authority (VRA) has completed a 6.85MW solar power park in Lawra in the Upper West Region of the Republic of Ghana.
The President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to commission the project on Saturday, October 10, 2020.
The Lawra solar park is the first phase of the 17MW solar park being constructed by Ghana’s largest power generation company, Volta River Authority (VRA), in the Upper West Region.
Click on the link below and watch a full documentary about the project:
The President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E Nana Akufo-Addo will, on Saturday, October 10, 2020, commission a 6.85MWp solar park in Lawra in the Upper West Region.
The Lawra Solar Park is the first phase of the 17MW solar park being constructed by Ghana’s largest power generation company, Volta River Authority (VRA) in the region.
President Akufo-Addo, in February this year, cut the sod for VRA to commence the construction of 13MW and 4MW solar power projects at Kaleo and Lawra respectively.
The original capacity of the Lawra Solar Park was 4MW, but energynewsafrica.com understands there was a technical improvement and this resulted in the enhancement of the capacity without extra cost.
The 13MW, the second phase of the project, has reached an advanced stage.
The solar parks are part of the VRA’s vision to diversify its sources of power into clean and renewable energy generation.
The project is being funded through a loan facility from KFW, a German financial institution, at the cost of 23 million Euros.
In addition, the Government of Ghana, through the Volta River Authority, is contributing 8.12 Million Euros in Project Development and Management activities.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has cut the sod for the construction of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plant at Axim in the Western Region.
When completed, the plant would be able to fill 24,000 cylinders per day.
The LPG bottling plant which is expected to be completed by the ending of 2021 will be used for the cylinder recirculation model project to serve Western, Western North and Central Regions of the West African nation.
Dr. Bawumia who performed the sod-cutting during his two-day Western Regional tour said the gas bottling plant would help to reduce gas accidents in the country
“This bottling plant is in line with the new policy government introduced. You all heard the big gas accident we had some few months ago around Haatso where fire erupted at the gas filling station which killed people. It is after that government urged that we introduce less risky way of distributing gas. This resulted in the approval of the concept of gas bottling plant facilitated by NPA and the Ministry of Energy. It is as a result of our good governance that Axim is going to have this gas bottling plant. So you should support us to have four more years to continue such good programmes.”
The General Manager of Technical Services at the Ghana National Gas Company, Robert Asmah speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony said the Ghana National Gas Company has been given the mandate to complete the project by 2021.
“The objective is to ensure that Ghanaians have access to safe, clean and environmentally friendly LPG for increased domestic and commercial usage by the year 2030. As a result, Ghana National Gas Company issued a licence by the National Petroleum Authority to build and operate an LPG bottling plant to serve Western and Western North and Central Regions. Axim in the Nzema East Municipality was chosen as the suitable local after a feasibility study was carried in the three regions to site the plant. Through the assistance of the Chiefs, a 64 acre land has been acquired for the project.”
“All the technical designs and requirements for the project have been completed. The construction of the plant for the cylinder recirculation model project requires installation of LPG storage tanks, offloading points for LPG mobile tracks, maintenance building for testing of cylinders and storage facility for both filled and empty cylinder bottles. There would be an installation of fire water tanks, loading bay and parking lot for the LPG bullet tracks. In addition, there would be an installation of automatic cylinder filling hall which is designed to have an installation capacity of filling 2,400 cylinders per day. When completed, the project will create direct and indirect jobs for the locals. Ghana Gas is expected complete and operationalize the project by the end of 2021.”
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana
Government in October 2017 through the National Petroleum Authority rolled out the cylinder recirculation model project which focuses on consolidating activities in the LPG value chain with a special purpose to reduce health, safety, security and environmental risk exposure.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
The Digital Energy Festival for Africa kicks off on 20 October when four of Clarion Events’ leading energy brands join forces with an unprecedented six-week tour de force of quality content and engagement from one point of entry, making it the largest ever energy event for the African continent.
The organisers of Africa Energy Forum, African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa and the Oil & Gas Council’s Africa Assembly and the leading energy journal ESI Africa will jointly host the Digital Energy Festival from 20 October to 26 November 2020.
Several other Clarion Events’ market-leading trade publications are also partners in the digital offering, including Smart Energy International, Power Engineering International, Renewable Energy World, Hydro Review and Mining Review Africa.
Over 5,000 attendees are expected to register for the festival, which will employ AI technology to match attendees with relevant content and networking opportunities for a personalised event experience over the six-week period. As well as over 120 programme experiences the event will also feature an online marketplace of products hosted by sponsors and exhibitors. The event will be marketed to a combined energy database of over 200,000.
Inspired by 5th Industrial Revolution
Amidst the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy sector in Africa, the organisers of the Digital Energy Festival seek to address critical issues such as pivoting to digital, new financial models and innovative power generation sources to allow attendees to make decisions and formulate recovery plans.
Africa Energy Forum organiser EnergyNet’s MD Simon Gosling says he was inspired by Pratik Gauri’s vision of the 5th Industrial Revolution as the overriding theme for their sessions. Gauri is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper.
“We are looking at the role of energy in social economic development,” EnergyNet MD Simon Gosling explains, “and how we can be more profitable by being more responsible and so attract new investors. That is what we are trying to look at through the past 22 years of hosting Africa Energy Forum: focusing on profit and purpose.
“In a continent that is so polarised by energy access, we want to highlight the new ways of seeking investments, which will come out of the private sector and the multilaterals who are investing in the purpose of investments. Looking at it through a gender lens, new technologies and efficiencies so decreasing carbon footprints, trying to marry that purpose and profit balance.”
The show will go on
Chanelle Hingston is the Group Director, Power & Energy at Clarion Events Africa, the organisers of the award-winning African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa, Future Energy East Africa, Future Energy Nigeria and the Utility CEO Forums for the last 20 years.
“It is inspiring to be part of such a unique joint venture with two other leading players in the energy events sector. Each one of us as event organisers has a strong team with a different and distinctive focus on the many-faceted energy sector. For example, we are well known for always gathering world-class experts for our water-focused discussions as part of our event.
“Since the start of the pandemic we have had to postpone our live event twice but, along with our partners and customers, we have fully embraced the digital tools available to us to keep the conversation going. As we proclaimed recently: ‘The show will go on,’ and being part of the Digital Energy Festival is a continuation of celebrating and supporting our continent’s power and energy professionals, projects and pioneers. We look forward to engaging with our long-standing partners online again and also welcoming new faces to our platform.”
Unique partnership
Iain Pitt is the founder of the Oil & Gas Council’s Africa Assembly: “Reflecting the significance of Africa to our membership, we have developed a unique partnership that offers the opportunity for valuable connections, which are as close to the real world as possible. Building integrated energy businesses with production, cash flow and development pipelines has never been more important in Africa.
“The Digital Energy Festival will replicate many of the live event experiences our members have come to expect from the Council, whilst giving exclusive access to an additional four premium African energy networks simultaneously.”
Digital Energy Festival For Africa
The extensive Digital Energy Festival programme will comprise a variety of formats, including interactive boardrooms, country spotlights, video networking, high-level roundtables, digital dialogues, industry masterclasses, fireside chats, technology presentations, energy marketplace, VIP coffee mornings, TV interviews, webinar recordings, industry awards, women in power sessions, virtual keynote sessions, a quiz programme for attendees and student initiatives.
The African Energy Forum topic and speaker highlights include:
Ministers Roundtable with confirmed attendance from ministers from Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Morocco, Uganda, and São Tomé & Príncipe.
– Fireside chat with Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and UN Special Representative to the Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All.
– South Africa Country Spotlights with Eskom & the IPP Office
– AfDB “Utility of the Future” Competition
– African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) Solar Awards
For more information on and to book for Africa Energy Forum’s sessions, click here.
The Oil & Gas Council’s Africa Assembly session and speaker highlights:
– Digital Dialogue Investment Focus – what next for African Oil & Gas?
– Digital Dialogue: There is no future for frontier exploration
– Fireside chat: Ayotola Jagun, Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary, Oando
– Fireside chat: Fathima Hussain, Managing Director, Oil & Gas Corporate Finance, Standard Chartered Bank
– Digital Dialogue: Exploration & Production – is it too late for Africa to profit from its resources?
To view and book for the Oil & Gas Council’s sessions, click here.
African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa’s programme and speaker highlights:
– The virtual opening keynote will focus on private sector participation in the African power sector.
– Fireside discussion with Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, South Africa.
– Utility CEO Forum: Pan-Africa and Municipal Leaders Forum.
– “Women in Energy” panel of CEOs sharing advice and discussing the challenges on their journey to C-level.
– “Doing Business in Africa” series with special focus on Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Senegal, opened by Dr. Albert Butare, Former Rwandan Minister of State In Charge of Energy, Water and Communication and CEO, Africa Energy Services Group Ltd, Rwanda.
Click here to view this programme in more detail and to register. Registration for Digital African Utility Week and
POWERGEN Africa is free.
ESI Africa’s programme and speaker highlights:
– Digital Dialogue: Unpacking South Africa’s 2,500MW “no regret” nuclear decision
– Digital Dialogue: The Role of Nuclear in the Green Energy Future
– Digital Dialogue: Guide to Wheeling Frameworks as a Realistic Energy Solution
– Digital Dialogue: The African mini-grid market – Progress and obstacles
– Digital Dialogue: Balancing Act – Negotiating Tenable PPAs for IPPs and Private Buyers
Ghana’s Ministry of Energy has promised to supply about 500 solar lanterns to East Ada District Assembly for onward distribution to settlers of island communities in the area.
Energy Minister John-Peter Amewu made the promise following a request by the District Chief Executive of East Ada, Sarah Dugbakie Pobee, that the people in the island communities in the area need solar lanterns to provide them with light at night.
Mr. Amewu, speaking at a sod cutting ceremony for the construction of mini-grids electricity for Alokpem, Azizakpe and Aflive, said the Akufo-Addo-administration was determined to ensure that island and lakeside communities get access to electricity through the deployment of decentralised mini-grid systems.
He said the government is currently implementing the rural electrification scheme to make electricity available and affordable to stimulate economic activities in all rural communities in the country.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business has been awarded a contract of US$47 million for a substation project in Benin.
The nation’s biggest high-voltage substation contract has been awarded through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) – a United States foreign assistance agency established by the US Congress.
This is a critical grid project as only one-third of Benin’s population has access to electricity and total per-capita consumption is low due to limited access and availability.
At the same time, rapidly growing demand for power, inadequate maintenance, and insufficient investment has stressed Benin’s national electrical grid, creating power outages that hurt businesses and hinder social services.
Under the contract, GE will supply four substations, including gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and seven substation extensions. The scope covers the most important high-voltage substation in the country, Vedoko, and is strategically placed to help strengthen the country’s transmission backbone. GE will also work on upgrading the substations in Maria-Gleta, Berecingou, Djougou, Bohicon, Natitingou and Parakou.
“In recent years in Benin, there has been a lot of attention and investment in the country’s energy arena. The distribution of electricity to its citizens is a critical enabler to helping make dreams come true, to supporting their aspirations as they take on the challenges of daily modern life,” said Gabriel Degbegni, National Coordinator at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
This is the second contract GE’s Grid Solutions has received through MCC’s $375 million power-sector focused agreement, or compact, with Benin. The first contract, a turnkey distribution management system project involving telecommunication infrastructure and substation adaptations, was awarded in 2018 and is currently being executed.
That project was designed to strengthen the country’s grid and manage electricity losses that result during energy transmission, since Benin imports some of its electricity from neighboring countries.
The new substations that GE will install as part of the latest project will be integrated into the distribution management system.
Both GE projects improve grid reliability, allowing additional energy capacity supply to support growth, boost productivity and generate more economic opportunities.
GE will provide a turnkey solution with design supply, civil work, local transportation and installation commissioning as part of the latest project. The supply includes all balance-of-plant and high-voltage substation equipment, GIS, power transformers, circuit breakers, disconnectors and earthing switches, instrument transformers, capacitors, and control and protection services. The entire project is expected to be completed in early 2022.
“Energy is a key component for on-going development in Africa,” said Eric Amoussouga, CEO GE SSA Francophone at GE’s Grid Solutions. “We are honored to be awarded this critical grid project in Benin, supporting the country’s modernization efforts around its power sector. Moreover, additional energy capacity will help foster economic development and boost local area growth.”
GE’s Grid Solutions will set up an office in Benin to provide training and skills through a local team.
The local team will be hired via subcontractors to directly impact the economy.
The project builds on Grid’s continued commitment to Africa where the business is also upgrading three 225 kV substations in Cote d’Ivoire. Announced last year, that project aligns with GE’s commitment to provide scalable power solutions in partnership with governments and utilities to meet West Africa’s growing energy needs.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Below are exclusive pictures from the event.
“The objective is to ensure that Ghanaians have access to safe, clean and environmentally friendly LPG for increased domestic and commercial usage by the year 2030. As a result, Ghana National Gas Company issued a licence by the National Petroleum Authority to build and operate an LPG bottling plant to serve Western and Western North and Central Regions. Axim in the Nzema East Municipality was chosen as the suitable local after a feasibility study was carried in the three regions to site the plant. Through the assistance of the Chiefs, a 64 acre land has been acquired for the project.”
“All the technical designs and requirements for the project have been completed. The construction of the plant for the cylinder recirculation model project requires installation of LPG storage tanks, offloading points for LPG mobile tracks, maintenance building for testing of cylinders and storage facility for both filled and empty cylinder bottles. There would be an installation of fire water tanks, loading bay and parking lot for the LPG bullet tracks. In addition, there would be an installation of automatic cylinder filling hall which is designed to have an installation capacity of filling 2,400 cylinders per day. When completed, the project will create direct and indirect jobs for the locals. Ghana Gas is expected complete and operationalize the project by the end of 2021.”
