Ghana’s power sector may collapse if the mounting debt is not addressed anytime soon.
Information available to energynewsafrica.com indicates that the debts owed to independent power producers, who contribute 2500MW, have ballooned to GHS11billion within the last few weeks.
The development, sources say is making it difficult for the IPPs to operate efficiently.
According to a source within the Chamber of Independent Power Producers, Bulk Consumers and Distributors (CiPDIB), the ECG, which recently resumed power retail business after the government terminated the concession agreement between ECG and PDS, has already defaulted in four weeks’ payment, despite their promised weekly payment.
“This serious liquidity concern has nothing to do with take or pay, procured PPAs or excess capacity. Let’s focus on the real issues,” the source said.
“There is the need for a strategic consultation with the IPPs for a sound direction about the sector, devoid of political interference in commercial processes, if we really want to restore a working ECG and address the needless insolvencies in the sector,” Elikplim K. Apetorgbor, CEO of CIPDiB also suggested.
Ghana’s Minister for Energy, John Peter Amewu, has called for constructive energy planning practices in the medium to long term, to ensure that Ghanaians are not burdened with the cost of excess energy supply.
According to him, the current high cost of energy for Ghanaian households and businesses is as a result of the excess energy capacity in the system which Ghanaians have to pay for whether the power is used or not.
His comments come at a time the government is engaging with Independent Power Producers (IPP) and Gas Suppliers (GS) to reassess all take or pay contracts and as well as resolve other energy-related issues.
Ghana currently has an installed power generation capacity of 5,083 MW, a dependable capacity of 4, 593 MW, and a peak demand of around 2,700 MW.
In effect, Ghana’s installed capacity is almost double its peak demand. Moreover, with current tariffs not at full cost recovery for power and gas, the 2019 sector shortfall is expected to grow to approximately USD$1.3 billion, and without urgent Government action, the sector shortfall will continue to increase and accumulate to more than USD$12.5 billion (more than 25% of 2017 GDP) by 2023.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2019 edition of the Ghana Energy Awards, John Peter Amewu said all steps must be taken to protect Ghanaians from any unnecessary costs in the energy sector.
“As a country, we should begin to decide whether we want to wait for demand to meet supply or to create supply in excess for demand to grow and meet. Any country that refuses to undertake constructive energy planning practices, will always create excess supply where the cost of socialization will be borne by Ghanaians.”
He went on to mention that his Ministry was committed to putting in place systems to ensure that going forward excess energy capacity is only added at a sustainable rate.
“While there are steps being taken to make sure that going forward as a country we would be mindful of our generation, transmission, distribution, supply, and metering analysis, we at the Ministry have begun to put in measures and policies that will make sure that we bring in generation at the time that demand begins to grow.”
Gridworks, the company set up in 2019 to develop and invest in Africa’s electricity networks, has announced the financial close of its investment in Mettle Solar Investments (Mettle).
Mettle is a South African-based commercial and industrial (C&I) solar power company that provides energy solutions to business customers across Africa. Mettle will receive R106.7 million ($7.2 million) of equity funding from Gridworks.
The investment by Gridworks will also see Mettle appoint Mbuvi Ngunze as its new Chairman. Ngunze is an experienced African business leader, who is currently a senior advisor to Catalyst Principal Partners and was previously the Group MD and CEO of Kenya Airways.
Mettle currently has 34 projects (28.1MW) in operation in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Indian Ocean islands with a further 2.3MW currently under construction. It works with business clients to fund, develop and operate solar power technologies, including battery storage, that provide consistent, affordable clean energy.
Gridworks’ investment, its first since launching in June 2019, will help drive Mettle into new markets across Africa.
The investment aims to reduce carbon emissions and demonstrate the commercial viability of C&I systems for businesses in a continent where 70% of total energy demand currently comes from commercial and industrial customers.
Welcoming the financial close of the investment, Gridworks CEO, Simon Hodson said: “This is a landmark for Gridworks as our first investment reaches financial close. By providing patient, long-term capital to Mettle we’ll support them as they reach new markets across Africa. Mettle offers consistent and clean energy to their customers, acting as a pioneer in the use of battery storage for business users and helping them cut their dependence on diesel.
“Our aim is to increase the quantity and quality of power in Africa and we know that Mettle can contribute to this goal – providing green, reliable power to businesses that will go on to create jobs and economic opportunity. Mettle’s excellent leadership team will be strengthened by the appointment of the hugely experienced Mbuvi Ngunze as its new Chairman.”
Ngunze also commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Board of Mettle at this important time in the company’s development. There’s a clear need for a reliable power supply to business across Africa, with the continent’s commercial and industrial customers crying out for stable, affordable green energy.
“With the new investment announced today by Gridworks, I believe that Mettle can expand into new African markets, meeting the growing needs of businesses, while helping to combat climate change. I look forward to playing my part in that growth.”
Capitalised by development financial institution CDC, Gridworks will aim to invest over $300 million improving the transmission and distribution infrastructure to deliver reliable and sustainable power.
About seven states of in Nigeria the West African nation, Nigeria, will soon see an improvement in their electricity supply.
The seven states are Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Imo, and Abia.
This is because the board of directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $210 million financing package to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP1), which seeks to rehabilitate and upgrade the nation’s power lines and improve distribution and supply.
Executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, NTEP1 is part of a $1.6 billion Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP).
“Nigerians and their businesses spend $14 billion annually on inefficient and expensive petrol or diesel-powered generators. This project will contribute significantly to the reduction of Nigeria’s power deficit, decrease air and noise pollution and reduce the cost of doing business,” Ebrima Faal, the Bank’s Senior Director for Nigeria in a story published by Esi-Africa.com.
The Bank’s financing, comprising a $160 million loan, and an additional $50 million loan from the Africa Growing Together Fund, will support construction of 330kV double circuit quad transmission lines and substations across the country.
The project will upgrade existing 263 km of 330kV lines, while adding an additional 204 km of new lines to increase TCN’s wheeling capacity, stabilise the grid and reduce transmission losses.
Upon completion, the project will significantly improve Nigerian transmission grid, and directly impact the economy, industries, businesses and the quality of life of Nigerians.
The project will also reduce the use of small-scale diesel generators and therefore contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions by saving approximately 11,460kt CO2 per year.
The project will create about 2,000 direct jobs – 1,500 during construction and 500 during operations –especially for youth: 30% of these jobs are expected to be taken by women.
By increasing electricity supplies to Small and Medium Enterprises, the project will foster the creation of additional indirect jobs.
Wale Shonibare, the Bank’s Acting Vice-President for Power & Energy said implementation of the project would increase evacuation capacity from the south of the country towards the north, where power supply is limited.
“NTEP1 will increase the grid transmission stability and capacity, and reduce the amount of stranded power, whilst improving power export and regional power system integration to the West African Power pool, especially through Niger and Benin interconnections,” he said.
Highlighting the project’s contribution to regional integration efforts, Batchi Baldeh, the Bank’s Director for Power Systems Development said it would benefit from the Bank’s expertise and proven track record in leading the development of power grids across the continent, notably in West Africa, with many successful operations supporting the implementation of interconnectors.
“In line with our work to improve utility performance, NTEP1 will substantially strengthen the capacity of TCN with regards to the development of energy infrastructure projects, especially the adoption of modern and more efficient transmission technologies, which are most required in Nigeria for network improvements,” Baldeh said.
Hundreds of workers of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), a power transmission company in the Republic of Ghana, West Africa have hit the streets of Accra to protest against ECG, VALCO and NEDCo for failing to settle their huge indebtedness which they say has crippled the power transmission company.
The agitated staff of GRIDCo massed up at the Black Star Square on Tuesday morning to begin their protest march to the Finance Ministry and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
GRIDCO leadership has been pushing for millions of debts owed it by Electricity Company of Ghana, the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCo) to be settled.
Clad in red and black attires, protestors brandished placards to drum home their concerns.
Angry GRIDCo staff say as of March 1, 2019, ECG’s outstanding debt to GRIDCo stood at GH¢607 million and another GH¢94,204,903.17 while VALCO owed it GH¢32,567,974.05 and NEDCo’s debt stood at GH¢177 million as at September 30, 2019.National Chairman of Staff Group of GRIDCo, Raphael Kornor, said at a press conference recently that the unavailability of funds to the company had forced it into rationing fuels for their staff’s travel for maintenance works while hoteliers have refused to make their facilities available to staff who travel for work due to their indebtedness.
He added that government had also not paid some GH¢250 million requested by the management of GRIDCo while it took steps to raise bonds to settle the legacy debt in the energy sector although the president had directed the Ministry of Finance to release the money.
“The first Energy Sector Levy Act bond which was raised by this present government in 2017/2018, our sister company, the VRA had over $550 million to settle their indebtedness with the banks but not a dime was given to GRIDCo to offset the ECG and VALCO indebtedness to us,” Mr Kornor lamented.He, therefore, called on the government to as a matter of urgency settle the ECG and VALCO indebtedness to GRIDCo which he says has stalled some new projects being undertaken by the company.Mr Kornor said if the government failed to settle the debts, then they would be left with no choice but to embark on industrial action, beginning with treating all emergency works as normal work within the normal working hours.The association said if by close of work on December 4, the debts were not cleared, they would embark on a sit down strike and impress upon their management to cut power supply to all customers which are indebted to it.Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
The Corporate Relations Manager for Vodafone in the Republic of Ghana, Ebenezer Amankwah, is set to join Ghana’s power transmitter GRIDCo as its new Head of Public Affairs.
This follows the retirement of Mr Albert Kwasi Quainoo, former Head of Public Relations at GRIDCo
The move comes at an interesting time for the power provider, following staff agitations over unpaid debts owed it by government institutions including Valco, ECG and NEDCo.
Recent power outages have also put the company under the spotlight; especially as the year draws to a close.
Ebenezer is expected to assume office this week in a move that is sure to bring some enthusiasm and vigor into GRIDCo’s engagement with the external public.
Ebenezer has more than 13-years experience in the private sector, having worked as a Broadcast Journalist at Citi FM and as Corporate Affairs Manager at Standard Chartered Bank.
At Vodafone, where he spent five years, he worked under three CEOs and was a key hand in driving the External Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability units under Gayheart Mensah.
He was instrumental in several innovative and creative moves by the company, including a repositioning of the company as the digital telecom thought-leader in the industry.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
Energynewsafrica.com brings you exclusive photos captured by our photographer who covered the 3rd edition of this year’s Ghana Energy Awards held last Friday at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, capital of Ghana.
The awards, which was under the theme: ‘Energy, a key to sustainable industrialisation’, hosted Ghana’s Everything Minister, John-Peter Amewu, as the Guest of Honour.
Key personalities who also attended the programme were the Deputy Minister for Energy in-charge of petroleum, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, CEO of Volta River Authority, Ing. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, CEO of Ghana Grid Company, Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah, Wisdom Ahiataku Togobo, Director for Renewable Energy and Nuclear Energy at the Ministry of Energy, CEO of West Africa Gas Pipeline Company, Greg Germani, Paa Kwasi Anamua Sakyi, Executive Director for IES, Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director for ACEP, CEO for Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Senyo Hosi, Rev. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, Executive Secretary of Energy Commission, and Mr. Jabez Amissah Arthur, former CEO of Bui Power Authority.Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s hydro power generation company, Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, was adjudged the Power Sector CEO of the Year for 2019 in the West African nation at an awards ceremony organised by the Energy Media Group.
Ing Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa competed for the award with Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah, CEO of GRIDCo, Mr Fred Oware, CEO of Bui Power Authority (BPA), Oheneba Ofori Boateng, CEO of Strategic Security Systems and Ernest Amissah, CEO of Sun Power Innovations.
Meanwhile, Volta River Authority, which he heads, also won the Innovation Project of the year award and Clean Energy Initiative Company of the year.
Other award winners are below:
Energy news reporter-Michael Creg Afful
Emerging Energy Comp-Webber Energy
Brand of the Year- Vivo Energy
CSR of year- Kosmos Energy
Innovation Project-VRA
Energy Consultancy-ACEP
Off grid Energy Solution-TOTAL GH
Energy Efficient Organisation Private – Ashesi University
Energy Efficient Public-Energy Commission
Energy Institution – Petroleum commission
Excellence in power generation- Karpowership
Strategic Deal-Springfield
Clean Energy Initiative-VRA
Rising Star, Individual- Ernest Amissah (CEO – Sun Power Innovations)
Renewable Energy Company- Strategic Security Systems
Energy Company Power-Bui Power Authority
Energy Company, Petroleum-Ghana Gas
Energy Company Renewable – Strategic Security System
In what could be described as a very rare achievement, Ghana’s only state refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Limited has suddenly become a preferred choice for major oil traders, both local and international who are now seeking for opportunities to process their crude oil at the West African nation’s refinery at a fee.
With the confidence of traders and some finance houses restored in the refinery, TOR, which, hitherto, was in the news for lack of crude, has continuously processed circa 4 million barrels of crude oil out of a total of 11 million barrels since August 2019.
This follows the signing of a tolling crude oil processing agreement between Tema Oil Refinery and Woodfields Energy Resources Limited, a wholly Ghanaian-owned oil trading company, backed by the world’s largest oil and gas trader.
Woodfields Energy’s long history with the refinery and knowledge of the energy business in Ghana, in Africa, led them to originate and lead this transaction.
The contract would ensure that TOR continues processing of crude oil into the foreseeable future.
According to the Managing Director of TOR, the refinery is currently operating a tolling model where it processes crude oil for/on behalf of third parties at a fee.
This arrangement places minimum or no risk at all on the refinery as the processor since the crude oil is purchased, transported and marketed by the third party.
Mr Isaac Osei explained that the third parties who enter into tolling agreements with TOR are confident in the new operating efficiency philosophy, as well as the transparency at TOR and are, thus, motivated to do business with TOR.
He said although the current arrangement covers processing crude oil at CDU, the RFCC, which is currently under nitrogen pressure, would also soon be engaged after negotiations between TOR and some potential partners are completed.
Mr Osei, who was answering questions from energy reporters on the side-lines of the just ended African Refiners Association conference in Accra, mentioned that aside the current tolling agreement with Woodfields Energy, TOR is also negotiating to sign similar tolling agreements with other international traders like Gemcorp, BP and other traders.
The former COCOBOD CEO attributed this development at TOR to guarantees on plant efficiency and effectiveness.
“After a careful diagnosis of TOR’s challenges, the Board and Management met with the workers and charged them to work in an efficient manner in order to restore the company to its glorious days, and I’m happy to announce that with this new operating philosophy at TOR, our trading partners have realised that TOR is technically viable and could indeed give them value for money with the right structures in place,” Mr Osei stated.
He explained that TOR’s new philosophy of ‘operating efficiency’ is centred around the company’s utilities section (Power House), the power generation hub of the refinery.
Currently, TOR uses Refinery Fuel Gas (FG) that is generated as a by-product of the refining processes at RFCC and CDU. This fuel gas generated at TOR is, however, inadequate to fire the various heaters in the refinery.
The short fall, Mr Osei explained is made up with Fuel Oil in the form of AR or Cracked Fuel Oil, a high value product, a situation Mr Osei observed used to erode the refinery of its profit margins.
To surmount this challenge, Mr Osei revealed that the commerce and technical teams ensured that TOR came up with both long and short term strategies.
In the short term, the company has negotiated that all processing agreements with third parties should cater for the challenge of using AR to power the boilers in the refinery.
In the long term, however, TOR has set up a technical team which has presented an actionable plan to link TOR to VRA (Volta River Authority) to tap gas from the WAPCO (West African Gas Pipeline Company) pipeline to fire the furnaces and boilers instead of using Fuel Oil,” Mr Osei stated.
It would be recalled that when the Isaac Osei team took over the company in 2017, the plants at TOR had missed three cycles of scheduled shut down maintenance and that affected its reliability and performance.
The Board at one of its earlier meetings, therefore, decided to embark on the much needed shut down maintenance to improve upon the performance and reliability of both the CDU and the RFCC.
Mr Osei further touted a number of milestones TOR has crossed in the utilities department of TOR including the full payment for a 120tph Steam Boiler which will increase steam generation capacity for plant operations and ensure reliability of the refinery’s utilities system.
The Boiler, which arrived in Ghana in the third week of October 2018, is currently being installed and is expected to augment TOR’s power generation activities after its commissioning, which is expected by next year.
Mr Osei lauded the Nana Akufo- Addo government for the current positive developments at TOR.
He mentioned the immense support the government has given to TOR through the Ministries of Finance and Energy.
“TOR has reached this stage because the government believed in the strategic role we play here at TOR and has, thus, assisted us in many ways, including restoring our capacity and ensuring efficiency in our power generating activities. I’m happy to inform you that with the support of the government, TOR has completed the payment for its second heater and our capacity would be restored to the nameplate capacity of 45,000 bpsd, by the end of the first quarter of 2020. This means TOR will be able to refine one million barrels of crude oil in just 22 days, thereby, making room for more companies to refine their crude oil at TOR.”
The TOR MD further revealed that the TOR Board of Directors have been extremely supportive in this new development. He said the workers of TOR bought into the new challenge when they were tasked by the Board and management to embrace the new operating philosophy of efficient TOR.
Nonstop crude oil flow does not seem to be the only feat chalked by TOR.
Mr Osei said through the ingenuity of the maintenance division, loading rack 3, which was gutted by fire in 2010, has now been rebuilt at the loading gantry.
He was hopeful this would reduce the turnaround time at TOR’s loading rack and further help in serving customers better.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
Australian offshore oil and gas safety regulator NOPSEMA has resumed its assessment of Equinor’s environment plan for the Great Australian Bight drilling following the oil company’s re-submission of the plan requested by the regulator in November.
Equinor submitted the environment plan for the drilling of the Stromlo-1 exploration located in the Great Australian Bight in April 2019. NOPSEMA wasn’t able to make a decision within 30 days so, in late June, it requested further information from Equinor.
Equinor then in August requested more time and NOPSEMA resumed the assessment process in September.
Early last month, NOPSEMA issued a notice to Equinor “requiring them to modify and resubmit their environment plan for proposed drilling in the Great Australian Bight.” Equinor was given 21 days to provide NOPSEMA with further information about matters relating to consultation, source control, oil spill risk and matters protected under Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
On November 29, 2019, Equinor re-submitted its environment plan for proposed drilling activity in the Great Australian Bight, following an opportunity to modify and resubmit as a standard component of the assessment process.
In accordance with the Environment Regulations, NOPSEMA has resumed its assessment of Equinor’s environment plan, the regulator said on Monday, December 2.
The next decision point in the assessment process is scheduled to occur by December 30, 2019. Prior to this point, NOPSEMA will continue to assess the environment plan and consider potential environmental impacts from the proposed activity to ensure appropriate precautions are taken.
NOPSEMA noted it could extend the timeframe of the assessment if additional time is required.
Equinor’s planned well is located in the Ceduna sub-basin, off southern Australia. The well is located approximately 400 km southwest of Ceduna and 476 km west of Port Lincoln and in a water depth of approximately 2240 meters.
According to Equinor’s plan, the petroleum activity will occur anytime between October and May during the three years validity period from 2020 to 2022. No drilling will take place between June to September inclusive.
The duration of the drilling of the Stromlo-1 well is expected to be approximately 60 days, with the drilling planned to begin in late 2020.
In related news, Australia-based Karoon Gas has recently decided to ditch its exploration permit located in the Great Australian Bight area thus joining oil majors Chevron and BP who had previously abandoned their Bight permits.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) last Friday launched a document titled Declaration of Malabo) at the 5th Heads of State Summit held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (November 26-29).
The Declaration outlines the way in which GECF member countries can cooperate to secure a long-term and sustainable energy transition.
The official Declaration of Malabo was submitted on Friday as the result of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) 5th Heads of State Summit held in Malabo (November 26-29).
The declaration was presented by H.E. Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea, and H.E. Yury Senturyin, Secretary General of the GECF.
Drafted during a week of Ministerial and High-Level Ad Hoc Working Group meetings, the document reaffirms the importance of retaining sovereign rights of member countries over natural gas resources; securing an energy transition and meeting sustainable development goals; attracting investment to gas infrastructure projects; fostering coordination among GECF member countries; and establishing pricing mechanisms, among other key objectives.
“One of the positions of the GECF is to specifically designate the terms and conditions of the contracts between producers and consumers. Our community insists that pricing connected to oil indexation should serve in favor of our member countries,” said H.E. Yury Sentyurin, Secretary General of the GECF. “Producers need to have a reliable flow of revenue to be able to ensure investment. With the connection between pricing and indexation, we try to ensure comfortable conditions for producers to ensure that their projects are implemented.”
The 5th Heads of State Summit represents the first time that the event was held on the African continent, reflecting increased efforts to attract African gas-producing countries to the organization.
“Mozambique and Tanzania have had huge gas discoveries…So many African countries have their own resources and they need to learn to manage them by themselves,” H.E. Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons for Equatorial Guinea. Said.
“The objective of this summit is to attract more African countries. This increases our numbers. The future is gas.”
The Declaration of Malabo builds on the existing frameworks for cooperation outlined by the declarations of GECF Summits held in Doha, Qatar (2011), Moscow, Russia (2013), Tehran, Iran (2015) and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (2017).
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
The Head of Energy Desk at Accra-based Oman FM and Editor for energynewsafrica.com in the Republic of Ghana, Michael Creg Afful, has been adjudged the best energy news reporter for 2019.
Creg Afful won the award for the second year running against stiff competition from Kobina Amonoo of Angel TV, Francisca Dickson Arhin of the EIB Network and Jessica Acheampong of the Graphic Business, a state newspaper.
After winning the 2018 Energy Reporter of the Year, Creg Afful created energynewsafrica.com with the objective of using the platform to disseminate energy news in Africa and beyond.
At the recent launch of the news portal, after one of its creation, it emerged that energynewsafrica.com had reached over 55,000 people in 153 countries in the world.
Michael Afful(left) with Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister for Energy in-charge of Petroleum, Republic of Ghana
The 3rd Ghana Energy Awards ceremony held under the theme: ‘Energy, the key to a sustainable economy for industrialisation’, was organised by the Energy Media Group.
The ceremony was to recognise and celebrate tremendous hardworking efforts of excellent stalwarts of the Ghanaian energy sector competing under the various categories.
Michael Afful(left) with Rev. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer(right), Executive Secretary of Energy Commission
In his opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer for Energy Media Group, Mr Henry Teinor said the Energy Awards has become a benchmark in the annals of Ghana’s award ceremonies and that they, as an entity, had worked tirelessly to implement innovative ideas to make it stand tall among award ceremonies in Ghana.
He was glad the Energy Awards ceremony has gained strong footings not only in Ghana but Africa at large.
Michael Afful with Mr. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, CEO of Volta River Authority(VRA)
“We shall not stop until our ceremony becomes the Oscars of the African continent,” he said.
He indicated that previous award winners were mandated to share their life experiences with students in Senior High Schools and that it is his hope that the status quo would be maintained by this year’s awardees.
Michael Afful with Seji Saji, Deputy Director at NADMO
On his part, Dr Kwame Ampofo, the Chairman for the Awarding Panel thanked the organisers and partners for their hard work and tenacity for keeping faith with the awards ceremony over the years.
He explained that the panel members were very fair in executing the mandate assigned to them.
“The award winners were meticulously chosen through a rigorous, free and fair procedure devoid of fear or favour to anyone.
“None of us panel members know who the award winners for the various categories were,” he emphasised.
Dr. Kwame Ampofo(left), former Chairman of Energy Commission with Michael Afful
Dr Ampofo, who was the past Chief Executive for the Energy Commission, congratulated the awardees and urged them to be spurred by the recognition and do more beneficial things for the society.
In an interview after receiving the award, Mr Creg Afful said it was an honour to receive the award for the second time.
He praised God for the strength and energy which helped him to go about fishing for information to disseminate to readers both home and abroad.
He thanked his colleagues and Management of Oman FM for the support and opportunity.
Mr Afful further appealed to players in the energy sector to help in building the capacity of reporters who have shown interest in reporting on energy.Mr Kwame Jantuah(left), a member of Ghana Energy Awards panel with Michael AffulMichael Afful with J K Ahiadome aka Majaro
Michael Afful with Mr Wisdom Ahiataku Togobo, Director Renewable Energy and Nuclear Energy at the Ministry of EnergyMichael Afful with Senyo Hosi, CEO of Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors(CBOD)Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
The Chief Executive Officer of the West African National Gas Company, Ghana Gas, Dr Benjamin K. D. Asante, has been adjudged the Energy Personality of the Year for 2019 at an awards ceremony organised by the Energy Media Group.
Dr Asante competed for the award with Mr Gilbert Kofi Adarkwah, Advisor to CEO, Aker Energy, Wisdom Ahiataku Togobo, Director for Renewable and Nuclear Energy, Ministry of Energy, Michael Bozumbil, CEO-Petrosol, Dr Theophilus Acheampong, Energy Consultant, Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwah, CEO -VRA, Chris Chinebuah, CEO, For, Yang Qun, Chairman, Sunon Asogli, and Mr Fred Oware, CEO of Bui Power Authority.
Dr Ben Asante has been very instrumental as far as the development of Ghana’s gas infrastructure development is concerned.
With his over 21 years’ experience in gas industry, both home and abroad, Dr Asante has steered the affairs of the West African nation’s indigenous gas company so well that the country has made millions of dollars in savings.
Ms Augustina Osei(3rd left ) receiving the award on behalf of Dr Benjamin K.D. Asante
Under his leadership, Ghana made US$42.6 million savings due to utilisation of processed gas from Atuabo in place of Light Crude Oil (LCO) in 2017 and US$206 million in 2018.
Receiving the award on his behalf, Ms Augustina Osei commended the organisers of the awards for recognising the tremendous work the recipient, Dr Asante, has done at Ghana Gas.
Other award winners are below:
Energy news reporter-Michael Creg Afful
Emerging Energy Comp-Webber Energy
3.Brand of the Year- Vivo Energy
CSR of year- Kosmos Energy
Innovation Project-VRA
Energy Consultancy-ACEP
Off grid Energy Solution-TOTAL GH
Energy Efficient Organisation Private – Ashesi University
Energy Efficient Public-Energy Commission
Energy Institution – Petroleum commission
Excellence in power generation- Karpowership
Strategic Deal-Springfield
Clean Energy Initiative-
Rising Star- Ernest Amissah
Rising Star company, Renewable –
16.Energy Company Power-Bui Power Authority
Energy Company, Petroleum-Ghana Gas
18.Energy Company Renewable – Strategic Security System
Industry Leadership Power- GRIDCo
Industry Leadership Petroleum-GOIL
Energy Business Leadership, Male- Senyo Hosi
22.Energy Business Leadership Female – Efuwa Quansah
Board Chairman of Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana Limited, Philip Ayesu has denied media reports suggesting that he had a conversation with Gabby Asare Otchere Darko and Edward Akufo-Addo, who are family members of President Nana Akufo-Addo over how to share PDS shares.
According to him, the alleged conversation never happened, hence, the voice recording making the rounds is fake.
PDS signed a concession agreement with the West African nation’s Electricity Company of Ghana on March 1, 2019, but the government terminated the agreement on the basis of what it described as fundamental and material breaches of the contract by PDS.
Since the agreement was terminated, there has been media discussions about the issue with some blaming some members in the Akufo-Addo administration.
Ghanaweb.com, on Friday, November 29, 2019, published a story that suggested the accused, Mr Philip Ayesu, of wrongdoing.
The conversion on the alleged audio recording is transcribed below as published by the Ghanaweb.com.The conversation is transcribed below:
Gabby: So you can’t go below 40?
Phili Ayensu: No sir…
Gabby: At all…?
Philip Ayensu: Gabby, you see, you know we’ve come far ooo.
Gabby: Me, I’m just… I’m just trying to…
Philip Ayensu: No, I can’t go below the 40… I will rather prefer getting off and getting something out of it and getting off…
Gabby: Ok so? I see…
Philip Ayensu: This is to demonstrate that this is for me and not for anybody… And…and that is something I want to come very strong on on…
Edward Akufo-Addo (Bumpty): if that’s your final position, then,we have to let the other know, sign all the documents
Philip Ayensu: Ok sir. I appreciate you sir. Thank you very much…
Edward Akufo-Addo (Bumpty): Ok all right…
Philip Ayensu: Thank you.
However, in a statement issued and copied to energynewsafrica.com, Mr Phillip Ayensu described the audio recording as fake.
He added that he had referred the defamatory comments, which is aimed at tarnishing his hard won reputation, to his lawyers and would also be lodging a complaint with the Ghana Police Service.
“I can strongly confirm that the said recording is fake and pregnant with mischief to score an expensive political point using me as a pawn, since no such conversation ever occurred. It is but an elaborate fabrication with the help of an artificial intelligence-based software. It only reminds me of the reported voice spoofing video recording of President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi which was exposed by CNN, and recently a similar recording of British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and opposition leader Corbyn,” Mr Ayesu said in a statement.
Below is Mr Phillip Ayensu’s full statement:
PHILIP AYESU RESPONDS TO FAKE VOICE RECORDING
My attention has been drawn to a 29th November, 2019, Ghanaweb publication headlined: “PDS SCANDAL…” of an alleged recording of a conversation between myself and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, discussing PDS shares.
I would like to put on record that this is a mischievous and totally fabricated story. It never happened. I have never hazarded the thought of owning 40% of the shares in PDS, and never owned anything close to that amount of shares in PDS for any person to have suggested to me for my shares to be reduced below 40%, and the records faithfully attest to this. I have never discussed any such thing with my lawyers or other shareholders, let alone with a third party.
I can strongly confirm that the said recording is fake and pregnant with mischief to score an expensive political point using me as a pawn, since no such conversation ever occurred. It is but an elaborate fabrication with the help of an artificial intelligence-based software. It only reminds me of the reported voice spoofing video recording of President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi which was exposed by CNN and recently a similar recording of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Opposition leader Corbyn.
Suffice to say, in any event, as an individual entrepreneur, I am at liberty to take advice from anybody I choose and also discuss with whomever I wish to discuss my private business, without the remote threat of breaching any law or agreement with any other party. But, it must be stressed that this particular purported conversation with Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko never happened. It is purely false and fake.
The perpetrator of this falsehood has been persistent in lies about myself and PDS in which one of my other companies has some equity participation and even extends it to my advisors.
I have consistently resisted any urge to respond to issues which have come into the public domain; however, the circulation of a conversation purportedly involving me which borders on criminality warrants a response and the taking of appropriate actions.
I have referred this defamatory mischief calculated to tarnish my hard-earned reputation to my lawyers and will be lodging a complaint with the Ghana Police Service.
Thank you.
Signed
Philip Ayesu.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com
National Chairman of Staff Group of GRIDCo, Raphael Kornor, said at a press conference recently that the unavailability of funds to the company had forced it into rationing fuels for their staff’s travel for maintenance works while hoteliers have refused to make their facilities available to staff who travel for work due to their indebtedness.
He added that government had also not paid some GH¢250 million requested by the management of GRIDCo while it took steps to raise bonds to settle the legacy debt in the energy sector although the president had directed the Ministry of Finance to release the money.
“The first Energy Sector Levy Act bond which was raised by this present government in 2017/2018, our sister company, the VRA had over $550 million to settle their indebtedness with the banks but not a dime was given to GRIDCo to offset the ECG and VALCO indebtedness to us,” Mr Kornor lamented.
He, therefore, called on the government to as a matter of urgency settle the ECG and VALCO indebtedness to GRIDCo which he says has stalled some new projects being undertaken by the company.
Mr Kornor said if the government failed to settle the debts, then they would be left with no choice but to embark on industrial action, beginning with treating all emergency works as normal work within the normal working hours.
The association said if by close of work on December 4, the debts were not cleared, they would embark on a sit down strike and impress upon their management to cut power supply to all customers which are indebted to it.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com 
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
He praised God for the strength and energy which helped him to go about fishing for information to disseminate to readers both home and abroad.
He thanked his colleagues and Management of Oman FM for the support and opportunity.
Mr Afful further appealed to players in the energy sector to help in building the capacity of reporters who have shown interest in reporting on energy.
