Ghana: Kweku Awotwi Retires From Tullow Ghana
The Managing Director of Tullow Ghana, a subsidiary of Ireland -based Tullow Oil Plc, Mr Kweku Andoh Awotwi, is set to retire from the company on 30th June this year.
Mr Awotwi is the first Managing Director of Tullow Ghana to be promoted to Executive Vice President of Tullow Oil plc.
A statement issued by the company, said Wissam Al Monthiry has been appointed to replace Mr Awotwi when he leaves at the end of June.
The statement noted that during his tenure, the TEN fields produced its 50th million barrel of oil; there was very good progress in the TRP project which is now in its final stages with the Oil Offloading System being ready for installation; and his operations team have delivered significant improvements in the stable production of oil and gas from our two FPSOs.
Mr Kweku Awotwi built strong relationships with Government and was a key player in the development of the current legislative framework for the company to pursue its Near Field Exploration Opportunities.
Most recently, Kweku has provided leadership to the Ghana team during a turbulent period for the company and the sector, overseeing substantial organizational changes.
“Wissam Al Monthiry, the incoming Managing Director, brings to Tullow extensive experience of operations management, asset development and a track record of safe production operations. He spent 17 years with BP in various upstream operations leadership and asset management positions around the world. Earlier in his career, Wissam worked for Goldman Sachs as a Corporate Finance Analyst focused on the energy sector. Wissam will spend the majority of his time in Ghana, with Cynthia Lumor taking on greater responsibility for Tullow Ghana’s key government relationships,” the statement said.
Dorothy Thompson, Executive Chair of Tullow Oil Plc, commented today: “Kweku has led the business through turbulent times for both the company and the sector. We all wish Kweku well in his retirement and thank him for his significant contributions to Tullow.”
Kweku Awotwi, Executive Vice President, Tullow Ghana commented: “I would like to thank the Tullow Ghana team for all their support and assistance since I joined the company and wish them and Tullow well for the future. I shall watch their progress with great pride and interest.”
On his part, Wissam Al Monthiry, the incoming Managing Director of Tullow Ghana said: “I am looking forward to building on the strong foundations established by Kweku and ensuring Tullow continues to play a key role in Ghana’s oil and gas industry.”
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Total Drops Pursuit Of Occidental’s Ghana Assets
French oil major Total has discontinued the acquisition of Occidental Petroleum’s assets in Ghana in an effort to preserve its financial flexibility.
The story of the purchase and sale agreement between the companies started back in 2019 with Total swooping in for Anadarko’s African assets during Occidental’s attempt to close a deal for the takeover of Anadarko.
Sprinkle in a little bit of Chevron and its attempt to outbid Occidental and Warren Buffett trying to get in on the fun, and the story becomes much more complex to unravel.
U.S. oil major Chevron was first to make a bid in April 2019 for the takeover of Anadarko by offering a stock and cash transaction worth $33 billion, or $65 per share. In combination with the shares, the offer rises to a much larger sum of $50 billion.
Occidental’s offer came less than two weeks later in the form of a 50-50 cash and stock transaction valued at $57 billion.
Since Anadarko informed Occidental the negotiations between the two could “result in a superior offer”, Oxy revised its offer which resulted in a successful takeover bid on 10 May 2019. Chevron said the day before that it would not be increasing its initial bid for the takeover.
The French oil major was interested in several assets in four countries. Namely, in Mozambique, the company was looking to buy a 26.5 per cent participating interest and operatorship in Area 1 where a 12.8 million tonne per year LNG project was largely derisked.
Area 1 contains more than 60 Tcf of gas resources, of which 18 Tcf will be developed with the first two train project which is expected to come into production by 2024.
South Africa was another interesting location where Total was looking towards some exploration licences close to its Brulpadda discovery.
The acquisition of Anadarko’s Algerian assets was focused around a 24.5 per cent participating interest and operatorship of blocks 404a and 208 – which hold the Hassi Berkine, Ourhoud, and El Merk fields – in the Berkine basin in which Total already owned 12.25 per cent.
In Ghana, Total wanted a 27 per cent participating interest in the Jubilee field and a 19 per cent participating interest in the TEN fields.
Overall, these assets represent around 1.2 billion boe of 2P reserves, of which 70 per cent is gas, plus 2 billion boe of long-term natural gas resources in Mozambique.
Total has already wrapped up a $3.9 billion acquisition of Anadarko’s Mozambique LNG project interest in September 2019 as well as the buy of the assets in South Africa.
Under the purchase and sale agreement between Total and Occidental for Anadarko’s Ghana and Algeria assets, the two are linked.
Namely, the sale of the Ghana assets was conditional upon the completion of the Algeria assets’ sale. As part of an understanding with the Algerian authorities on the transfer of Anadarko’s interests to Occidental, Occidental would not be in a position to sell its interests in Algeria.
As a result, the sale to Total would not be able to go through and the subsequent Ghana asset sale buy would have to be discontinued.
Total said on Monday that, given the extraordinary market environment and the lack of visibility that the group faces, and in light of the non-operated nature of the interests of Anadarko in Ghana, Total decided not to pursue the completion of the purchase of the Ghana assets and to preserve its financial flexibility.
Patrick Pouyanné, Total chairman and CEO, said: “This decision not to pursue the completion of the purchase of the Ghana assets consolidates the Group’s efforts in the control of its net investments this year and provides financial flexibility to face the uncertainties and opportunities linked to the current environment”.
Hydropower Associations Unite On A Post-COVID-19 Recovery Pathway
Sixteen international and national organisations, representing the global hydropower sector, have set out guiding principles for energy infrastructure policy in the COVID-19 recovery.
The organisations represent hydropower developers, operators, manufacturers, researchers and innovators including the world’s largest hydropower producers in China, US and Canada.
Their statement, coordinated by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), sets out how the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated hydropower’s resilience and critical role in delivering power and water supplies to communities and essential services.
Widespread uncertainty and liquidity shortages have however put financing and refinancing of many hydropower projects at risk. In some regions, new and upgrade projects have also been halted, contributing to a fall in confidence regarding future investments and operations.
The 16 organisations call on policy-makers to recognise hydropower’s vital importance to the clean energy transition, due to the unique services it provides to integrate and support variable renewables such as solar and wind.
“As the single largest source of renewable electricity with unique flexibility services to support the integration of variable renewable energy, hydropower will be vital to the future energy system. All countries that have achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity have relied heavily on hydropower.
“Furthermore, hydropower delivers vital means of managing freshwater, providing supplies for agriculture, homes and businesses, and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events such as floods and drought.
“Yet hydropower’s contribution in maintaining system reliability has not been properly recognised, incentivised by policymakers or appropriately valued by the market,” the statement said.
The hydropower and generator associations set out the following principles for green and resilient infrastructure stimulus packages as they call on decision-makers to build more sustainable hydropower projects.
Ensure the recovery facilitates the development of sustainable hydropower projects as an essential part of the energy transition and wider development strategy to help kick-start our global economy. This should include modernisation and rehabilitation projects.
Focus on sustainable hydropower development to ensure that economically viable and shovel-ready projects can commence.
Where possible and within reason, fast-track planning approvals to ensure the development and modernisation of hydropower projects can commence as soon as possible to help stimulate the economy.
In regions where this applies, extend any construction deadlines for hydropower projects that have previously benefited from government programmes to secure the finance already committed.
Given the increasing need for long-duration energy storage such as pumped storage, work with regulators and system operators to develop appropriate compensation mechanisms that recognise and value all the attributes hydropower provides to the grid.
Not only maintain but increase the ambition of renewable energy and climate change targets which incorporate the role of sustainable hydropower development. This will instill much-needed confidence in the sector.
The organisations, in addition, stress the importance of all projects adopting good environmental, social and governance practices in line with the internationally recognised Hydropower Sustainability Tools.
Signatory organisations
Worldwide – International Hydropower Association (IHA)
Canada – WaterPower Canada
China – China Society for Hydropower Engineering
Colombia – ACOLGEN
Indonesia – Indonesia Hydropower Association
Kyrgyzstan – Small Hydropower Plants Association of the Kyrgyz Republic
Mexico – Mexican Association of Hydroelectricity
Mongolia – Small Hydropower Association Mongolia
Norway – Energy Norway
Norway – International Centre for Hydropower (ICH)
Poland – Polish Hydropower Association / TEW
Poland – Polish Association for Small Hydropower Development
Russia – Association “Hydropower of Russia”
Uganda – Hydro Power Association of Uganda
United Kingdom – British Hydropower Association
USA – National Hydropower Association (NHA)
South Africa: NERSA Gives Green Light To Eskom To Increase TariffsS
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved Eskom’s request to recover R13.3 billion as part of the power utility’s regulatory clearing account (RCA) application for the 2018/19 year.
The RCA application is a mechanism allowing Eskom to adjust for any over- or under-recovery of revenue for a particular year due to events which differ from initial assumptions made when the energy regulator granted tariffs.
The RCA balance will be recoverable from the standard tariff customers, local Special Pricing Arrangement (SPA) customers and international customers.
The Reasons for Decision (RfD) will follow once the applicable requirements, including, but not limited to, the confidential treatment of some information, have been finalised, NERSA said in a statement.
The energy regulator also underlined that it records that certain governance failures occurred in Eskom.
“However, at the time of this decision and although some of the adjustments were effected in the decision, the extent of the governance failures or amounts associated therewith had not been fully quantified,” said NERSA in a statement.
The statement continued: “Upon the completion of any investigations by any organ of state or commission into these governance failures, and if the failure is quantified, the energy regulator may, in future Eskom revenue applications, effect adjustments to Eskom’s revenue, based on the relevant outcome of the investigation.”
NERSA received Eskom’s RCA application for the 2018/19 financial year, totalling R27,323 million in August 2019.
The regulator reviewed the application for compliance with the fourth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD4) Methodology and Minimum Information Requirements for Tariff Application (MIRTA) requirements.
NERSA noted it that made the decision after conducting the due regulatory process, which included publishing Eskom’s application and inviting written comments from stakeholders from 3 December 2019 to 20 January 2020.
The energy regulator also conducted public hearings in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces from 3 to 24 February 2020. The public hearings afforded interested and affected stakeholders the opportunity to present their views, facts and evidence.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Universal Electricity Access And Inter-Linkages With Other SDGs (Article)
Energy is widely regarded as a major determinant of economic prosperity of any State. It is accepted as a crucial ingredient that propels any economic activity, and indeed the pillar of wealth creation. Especially in the developing world, the provision of a greater access to energy has been suggested by some as vital in helping grow their economies and improve the lives of the poor. Onakoya et al. (2013) finds the output of the energy sector (electricity and the petroleum products) usually consolidating the activities of the other sectors which provide essential services to direct the production activities in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, commerce et cetera. Kumi (2017), recognizes electricity as playing a significant role in undertaking daily activities from cooking, lighting, heating to powering machines in the industrial sector. As the need for quality healthcare delivery, education, transport, effective communication, mineral exploration and agricultural expansion increases; the need for energy similarly increases.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA 2019), energy access policies continue to produce result, with 2018 data showing promising signs. The number of people without access to electricity fell from almost 1 billion in 2017 to 860 million, a record in recent years. IEA’s latest analysis of Africa Energy Outlook 2019 show, in Africa the number of people gaining access to electricity doubled from 9 million a year between 2000 and 2013 to 20 million people between 2014 and 2018, outpacing population growth. As a result, the number of people without electricity access, which peaked at 610 million in 2013, declined slowly to roughly 595 million in 2018. In developing Asia, almost 1 billion people have gained access to electricity, with 94 percent of the region having access to electricity in 2018, compared to 67 percent in 2000.
Though greater efforts have been made over the past decades to provide energy to as much percentage of the population as possible by individuals, firms and governments, recognizing energy as essential for humanity to develop and thrive, it is the adoption in 2015 of new United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that defined a new level of political recognition of the importance of energy to development. It places energy at the heart of both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. And for the very first time, United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) contain a target to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy remain the focus of SDG7. According to McCollum et al. (2017), SDG7 is underpinned by three targets: ensuring universal access to energy services (7.1), increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix (7.2), and improving energy efficiency (7.3).
The Linkages
The United Nation (UN) recognizes electricity access as crucial to the achievement of many of the other SDGs. In a 2018 Policy Brief on achieving universal access to electricity, the United Nation suggest that providing connections to households is not enough to ensure economic and social development. Electricity needs to be available reliably and affordably not only for households to access meaningful services, but also for income generating activities and public services.
According to the intergovernmental organization, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 will open a new world of opportunities for billions of people through new economic opportunities and jobs, empowered women, children and youth, better education and health, more sustainable, equitable and inclusive communities, and greater protections from, and resilience to, climate change. That energy (including electricity) is only useful to the extent that it provides useful services and drives actions. Therefore, while it is important to measure energy access directly, the true impact is on enabling the success of other SDGs.
Energy access has been described severally as the missing Millennium Development Goal (MDG), as energy services can contribute to a large extent to the attainment of all SDGs. Achieving the goals of SDG7 therefore will impact, and be impacted by progress along the many other SDG dimensions:
- SDG1 (No poverty), SDG8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG9 (Industry, innovation, and infrastructure): The developed part of the world have found reliable and affordable energy as an enabler to goods and services that has enriched and extended lives. Reliable and consistent supply of affordable energy is more vital to modernizing agriculture, increasing trade, empowering women, saving lives, improving transportation, expanding industries, improving education, providing clean water, and powering communications; serving as building blocks for escaping poverty and enriching lives.
- SDG5 (Gender equality), SDG2 (Zero hunger), and SDG6 (Clean water and sanitation): Energy access would increase the number and range of opportunities for women, thus reducing the inequality gaps that exist. For instance, access to energy may afford women the chance to work from home and thereby generate an independent source of income, reduce the importance of physical gender differences in the labour force, and Public outdoor lighting would increase security for women and girls though public outdoor lighting, potentially enabling them to continue autonomous activities outside their households after dark.
- SDG3 (Good health and wellbeing): It is estimated by the IEA that nearly 4 million people die prematurely on annual basis from the use of polluting fuels and technologies in households for cooking, heating and lighting, without adequate ventilation. The body suggests that the provision of modern energy access for all can lower the premature death toll by around 1.8 million people per year in 2030. Thermal comfort (heating and cooling) and refrigeration are key to good health and nutrition, which highlights the need to ensure access to affordable and reliable energy. Use of energy-efficient appliances such as clean cook-stoves is fundamental to improving indoor air quality. Energy’s contribution to food conservation along the supply chain helps avoid the health risks associated with bacterial contamination. Moreover, health care facilities require reliable electricity to function and power medical devices. Also refrigeration enables rural populations to store the medicines and vaccines necessary for ensuring community health.
- SDG4 (Quality education): Squire (2015) studied the effect of access to electricity on school attendance and educational attainment, and finds that although reduction in education was accompanied by an increase in childhood employment; suggesting that improved labor market opportunities due to electricity access led to the increased drop-out rates, the study also finds evidence that increases in adult employment was driving children to stay home (and have opportunity to learn) to compensate for parents going off to work.
- SDG13 (Climate action): Reliable modern energy access can improve the resilience of households and communities to a changing climate, despite electricity generation contributing a large share of global CO2 emissions. Dagnachew et al. (2018) analyzed trade-offs and synergies between achieving universal electricity access and climate change mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa. The results shows a strong synergy in emissions reduction and investment savings, particularly driven by the regions’ efficiency improvements of household appliances. On the other hand, climate mitigation policies are projected to increase the cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh), depending on fossil fuel share in the mix. Therefore, they conclude that because increasing electricity access can have notable consequences for global climate change, climate policies will need to be combined with complementary policies such as pro-poor tariffs, fuel subsidies, and cross subsidization to protect the poor from increasing electricity prices. According to IEA, cost reductions in renewables, storage and energy efficiency as a result of deployment globally will facilitate rural electrification, with little or no climate change risk.
Ghana: VRA To Clear 400 Structures For Construction Of Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam To Commence
Ghana’s largest power generation company, Volta River Authority (VRA) has revealed that about 400 structures have been marked for clearance in both North-East and Upper East Regions before the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam would commence.
The estimated cost involved in resettlement and compensation has not been known yet, but plans are far advanced in addressing this challenge before the project comes into full force.
Project Coordinator for the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project, Kwaku Wiafe revealed this in an interview with the media.
He said that the project, worth over GHc900 million awarded to China Power, is to be solely financed by the Government of Ghana.
Mr Wiafe has also indicated that the compensation of affected farmers and owners of structures would be paid by the government, hence, surveys are underway to ascertain actual areas to be affected by the project.
“The compensation will be borne by the government, and part of the work of the team will be to assess how much we will have to pay and who will be paid,” he stated.
He has, therefore, appealed to residents in affected areas to cooperate with them in order to realise the main objective of the much awaited project that would serve as a game changer in the northern part of the country.
However, preparatory works for the project will begin in June for actual work to commence in September 2020.
Meanwhile, the project has a duration of 52 months and when completed, will have an irrigation, electricity and a host of other components to propel economic growth in the country.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Ato Morrison Appointed Deputy MD Of TOR
The Board of Directors of Ghana’s only refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has appointed Ing. Herbert Ato Morrison has appointed as the Deputy Managing Director in charge of operations.
Prior to his appointment, Ing. Ato Morrison was the General Manager in charge of Technical Services.
In January this year, Ing. Ato Morrison was appointed as Acting Managing Director following the resignation of Isaac Osei, a former MP for Subin and former CEO of COCOBOD.
An internal memo signed by Jane Ohenewa Gyekye (Mrs), who is a General Manager (HR&Admin), and sighted by energynewsafrica.com, reads: “At an Emergency meeting of the Board of Directors on 5th May, the following appointments were made: Managing Director, Francis Adu Boateng, and Deputy Managing Director (Operations), Ing. Ato Morrison.
“Kindly give them required support,” it said.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: GRA Withdraws Directive To Power Producers To Charge VAT, NHIL, GETFund
Ghana’s Revenue Authority (GRA) has withdrawn a directive it issued to power producers to apply VAT, GETFund and NHIL charges on power distribution company, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
This follows concerns raised in the media about the possibility of cost of electricity going up.
A statement issued and signed by Florence Asante, Assistant Commissioner at GRA, said the Authority is scheduling a meeting with the power producers to address the application of the VAT to the power sector.
GRA assured the general public especially power consumers that, no new taxes or are being introduced or levied on power consumption especially in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic.
Below is the full statement:
Scan- VAT GETFUND LEVY & NHIL ON ENERGEY CHARGES
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Stop ECG From Passing VAT, NHIL, GETFund On Electricity End Users-CIPDiB To GRA
The Chamber of Independent Power Producers Distributors and Bulk Consumers (CIPDiB) is asking the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to stop the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) from charging electricity consumers VAT, NHIL and GETfund levies.
“We would like to call on the Ghana Revenue Authority to formally circulate a letter to the
concerned stakeholders in the power sector withdrawing their earlier directive and direct
the Electricity Company of Ghana to specifically desist from charging Ghanaians those taxes with immediate effect,” a statement issued by the CEO of CIPDiB, Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, said.
The call follows a statement issued by the GRA to clarify its earlier directive to power producers to charge Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) VAT, GETFund and NHIL which have been interpreted as an attempt to increase cost of electricity.
The GRA’s statement noted that ECG was already charging consumers GETfund, NHIL and VAT and, therefore, expressed worry over the development.
Reacting to the issue, CIPDiB said these add-on taxes on the end user tariff is the limitation for PURC to give cost compensatory tariff to fix the Annual Revenue Requirement shortfalls of the sector.
“Besides, the sector operates a pass through cost system, so any needless induced cost will automatically be passed on to the end users, hence, the need to control cost in the power supply chain,” CIPDiB concluded.
Meanwhile, CIPDiB is also calling for the removal of VAT, NHIL and GETFund levies for End User tariff.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: COVID-19: Vivo Energy And Retailers Install Water Storage Facilities At Lorry Parks, Markets
Vivo Energy Ghana, the Shell Licensee, in partnership with its retailers, have installed three water storage tanks and handwashing facilities at the Koforidua Central market and Lorry Parks to ensure regular supply of water for handwashing towards the fight against COVID-19 in the Eastern region.
The initiative forms part of Vivo Energy Ghana’s Retailer Sustainability Programme, launched to support the fight against COVID-19 in various retail communities.
Other items donated to the central market and lorry parks included boxes of hand washing soaps, tissue paper, nose masks, hand sanitizers and four foot-operated handwashing facility to encourage regular handwashing in these densely populated areas. The team also donated infrared temperature guns to the New Juabeng Municipal Assembly.
The Retailer Sustainability Programme forms part of Vivo Energy Ghana’s comprehensive programme on COVID-19 prevention being rolled-out to complement the government’s efforts in combating the virus from Ghana and ensuring the decentralization of support to local communities.
The Honourable Municipal Chief Executive of New Juaben South Assembly, Mr. Isaac Appaw-Gyasi, who cut the tape to inaugurate the facilities, expressed his appreciation to Vivo Energy Ghana and its retailers for the timely intervention at the markets and lorry parks to combat corona virus from Koforidua and its environs.
“The gesture is timely and I must commend Vivo Energy Ghana and its retailers who operate under the Shell brand for the intervention. I am very hopeful that this support will help curb the spread of the virus among residents and commuters who use the lorry parks. I want to urge everyone to use the facilities anytime they visit these places to reduce the cases in the region”, he advised.
The Market Queen of the Koforidua Central Market, Nana Ama Bonsu said the installation of the water storage tanks would help solve the water shortage at the market, especially during this period where water is an essential element in the prevention of COVID-19.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr. Johnson Kyereh, lauded Vivo Energy for the kind gesture and charged his members to continue to patronise Shell’s quality fuels and engine oils to support the company’s initiative.
Commenting on the programme, the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Ben Hassan Ouattara, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts against the virus to ultimately bring life to normal.
“As an energy company, we care about our people, customers and communities and believe that the Vivo Energy Retailer Sustainability Programme will help to reach, protect and minimize the impact of this life-threatening virus on people, especially those in our rural communities”, he said.
He further urged the beneficiaries to use the items for its intended purpose while observing the safety protocols and the President’s directives on social distancing and wearing of nose masks.
Since the launch of the Retailer Sustainability Programme, various government institutions have benefitted from it. They include the National Commission for Civic Education and Effiankwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Regional, Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region, Kenyasi Health Centre and Ahinsan Camp Prison in the Ashanti Region.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Commenting on the programme, the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Ben Hassan Ouattara, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts against the virus to ultimately bring life to normal.
“As an energy company, we care about our people, customers and communities and believe that the Vivo Energy Retailer Sustainability Programme will help to reach, protect and minimize the impact of this life-threatening virus on people, especially those in our rural communities”, he said.
He further urged the beneficiaries to use the items for its intended purpose while observing the safety protocols and the President’s directives on social distancing and wearing of nose masks.
Since the launch of the Retailer Sustainability Programme, various government institutions have benefitted from it. They include the National Commission for Civic Education and Effiankwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Regional, Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region, Kenyasi Health Centre and Ahinsan Camp Prison in the Ashanti Region.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: TBEA Supports GRIDCo With PPE Worth GHS100,000
Chinese power company, TBEA has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth GHS100,000 to the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), as part of measures to support the power transmitter in fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, several corporate organisations in the country have adopted plans to ensure business continuity whilst ensuring the safety of workers and stakeholders.
GRIDCo has been one of the many companies at the forefront of propagating the right messaging and awareness about the coronavirus, both for staff and external stakeholders.
The Company has instituted strict measures around social distancing, safety measures at the workplace and an efficient working from home policy to ensure it continues to carry out its mandate of uninterrupted power supply to its customers.
The donation by TBEA will complement structures already put in place by the Company to ensure employees are able to work efficiently despite the setbacks of the pandemic. The items donated included nose masks, hand sanitisers, gloves and liquid soap.
Ghana’s total coronavirus count stands at 5,530 with 674 recoveries and 24 deaths.
Receiving the PPE, Chief Executive of the Ghana Grid Company, Jonathan Amoako-Baah said: “TBEA is an important partner in Ghana’s power sector and we are grateful for their support. We always aim, as a Company, to ensure enhanced safety and protection for our employees as they go about their duties, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic era. The PPE will be put to appropriate use for the benefit of all.”
Commenting during the presentation, TBEA Vice President, Jia Xiaohui, said: “GRIDCo is an essential player in Ghana’s power sector and it is important for their workers and contractors to be protected in their daily operations. We are confident that these items will contribute significantly in ensuring business continuity for the national grid.”
TBEA is a leading power company, headquartered in China, with international experience in power supply and grid development throughout the world.
The Company is currently undertaking power expansion projects in Ghana in partnership with the Ghana Grid Company.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
COVID-19 Pandemic: Renewable Energy Sector Sheds 600,000 Jobs
The renewable energy industry in the United States has lost close to 600,000 jobs since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, a report from BW Research Partnership has revealed.
Most of these jobs were lost during April, the research firm said, at 447,200, or triple the number of jobs the industry lost in March. The total job loss so far constitutes as much as 17 percent of total employment in the industry, BW Research said.
Last month, a group of organizations, including BW Research Partnership, warned that more than half a million jobs could be lost in the renewable energy industry because of the crisis.
At the time, one of the organizations, E2, said the number of jobs lost in March was equal to the number of new jobs added in the industry last year.
And the pain is not over either, BW Research Partnership warned in its report, with the number of job losses continuing to increase this month and beyond.
“Our previous projection of a half million or 15 percent of all clean energy jobs lost by the end of June has already been surpassed,” BW Research Partnership said.
“Based on that analysis, along with forecasts from clean energy trade groups and reports from individual companies, we conservatively project that the clean energy sector will lose about a quarter of its workforce or 850,000 jobs by the end of the second quarter if no actions are taken to support the clean energy industry and its workers.”
According to another survey, from the Solar Energy Industry Association, the solar power industry alone could shed half of its 250,000 jobs over the next few months unless urgent relief measures are put into action.
Back in April, E2 called on Congress to help the industry get through the crisis with as little losses as possible by extending tax incentive application deadlines and by providing temporary refundability for renewable tax credits “that are increasingly difficult to monetize.”
Eni Retains Descalzi As CEO For Third Term
Italian oil and gas major Eni has retained its Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi for the third time.
The company has also named its new chairwoman and members of board committees.
This will be the third term in the role of Eni CEO for Claudio Descalzi where he will also serve as the general manager of the company,
He will be responsible for the management of the company, except for specific responsibilities that are reserved for the board of directors and those that are not to be delegated according to the current legislation.
Descalzi who is the current CEO of Eni was appointed in May 2014
He started his nearly forty-year career in Eni in 1981 as an oil and gas field petroleum engineer and, then, the project manager for the North Sea, Congo, and Nigeria areas’ development. In 1990 he became Italy’s head of reservoir and operating activities.
After working in different roles in the company he was named the deputy chief operating officer of Eni’s exploration and production division in 2005, while between 2006 and 2014 he was appointed president of Assomineraria.
Meanwhile, between 2008 and 2014, he became the COO of Eni’s exploration and production division and from 2010 to 2014 he was chairman of Eni UK.
The company added that it confirmed the tasks assigned to the new chairwoman of Eni – Lucia Calvosa – who replaced Emma Marcegaglia. She would be in charge of managing the relationship of the head of internal audit with the board of directors.
Also, Calvosa will carry out her statutory functions as legal representative managing, in particular, institutional relationships in Italy and identify and promote integrated projects and international agreements with strategic importance, both in cooperation with the CEO.
The 59-year-old Cavosa is a lecturer in commercial law at the University of Pisa. She currently sits on five boards – Banca Monte dei Pashi di Siena, Editoriale Il Fatto, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Teatro di Pisa, and Telecom Italia where she is also the chairwoman.
According to the company, directors on the board – Ada Lucia De Cesaris, Pietro A. Guindani, Karina A. Litvack, Emanuele Piccinno, Nathalie Tocci, and Raphael Louis L. Vermeir – have the required independence requirements set by law.
Calvosa cannot be considered independent being a significant representative of the company.
Eni’s board of directors also appointed members of the Control and Risk, Remuneration, Nomination, Sustainability and Scenarios committees.
The Control and Risk Committee will consist of Pietro Guindani as chairman and Raphael Vermeir, Ada Lucia De Cesaris, and Nathalie Tocci will be the remaining members.
The Remuneration Committee will be chaired by Nathalie Tocci while Karina Litvack and Raphael Vermeir will be the other two members.
Ada Lucia De Cesaris will be the chairwoman of the Nomination Committee and Pietro Guindani and Emanuele Piccinno will be its other members.
The Sustainability and Scenarios Committee will have Karina Litvack as its chairwoman and Raphael Vermeir, Nathalie Tocci, Filippo Giansante, and Emanuele Piccinno as its members. All members of the committees are non-executive and majority independent.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Liberia: ‘Free Electricity During Lockdown Not Feasible’-LEC
Liberia’s Electricity Corporation (LEC) has indicated that President George Weah’s stimulus package plan to provide free electricity for citizens during the lockdown under a declared State of Emergency is not feasible.
According to LEC, it is not in the position to provide free electricity.
The electricity company has said is only prepared to give US$20.00 coupon for a period of one month, but even with this option, it will be determined by the commitment of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to adhere to the demands of the LEC to give cash in advance.
The US$20 coupon, according to frontpageafrica.com, is based on what the average consumer pays for power in a month.
A total of US$1.3 million has reportedly been inserted in the budget to cover the coupon which LEC has agreed to pay base on taxes owed the government.
The LEC reportedly collects US$800.000 in monthly bills and will be getting US$1.3 million from the government for the duration of the lockdown. The company targets 65,000 consumers but only 25,000 pay every month.
The Ministry of Finance says it will shortly be releasing a detail explanation on how the tokens will be rolled out in the coming days.
“The truth is LEC cannot provide free power to all of its customers. LEC has a total connection base of sixty-five thousand, forty-five of those are household, while the others are businesses. The forty-five thousand household is a small percentage of the more than three hundred thousand households in Montserrado County. The question is, how do they provide free power when their production level cannot meet the demand? So, they worked out their own math and the calculation says during this period they can give only US$ 20.00 worth of electricity and that quantity of electric times the forty-five thousand must be given to them in money by the Ministry of finance.”
Recently, the government announced that as part of President Weah’s stimulus package approved by both houses of the national legislature, US$4 million was put into the account of the LEC for the provision of free electricity during the period of the lockdown.
However, the LEC says that amount was payment of arrears for services provided the government in the past.
According to Senator Conmany Wesseh, chair of the Senate Sub-Committee on Autonomous Agency, under the State of Emergency, authorities of the LEC and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation have told them (Committee members) that they are not empowered to implement the president mandate.
“The truth is LEC cannot provide free power to all of its customers. LEC has a total connection base of sixty-five thousand, forty-five of those are household, while the others are businesses. The forty-five thousand household is a small percentage of the more than three hundred thousand households in Montserrado County. The question is, how do they provide free power when their production level cannot meet the demand? So, they worked out their own math and the calculation says during this period they can give only US$ 20.00 worth of electricity and that quantity of electric times the forty-five thousand must be given to them in money by the Ministry of finance.”
In his message, the President told the lawmakers that it is was important that the government shoulders the electricity and bill of households in the affected counties for the duration of the stay-at-home order.