Ukraine Strikes Deep Into Russia As Energy War Escalates
Ukraine launched fresh drone attacks on Russian energy assets Thursday, hitting two refineries including Gazprom’s giant Neftekhim Salavat complex in Bashkortostan, more than 1,300 kilometers from Ukrainian-held territory.
The strikes set fire to storage facilities and marked one of Kyiv’s deepest penetrations into Russian industrial infrastructure since the war began, as it continues to target the Kremlin’s oil revenues that feed its war coffer.
The new assaults came just hours after trade data published by Reuters showed Russia’s seaborne oil product exports jumped 8.9% in August compared with July, rising to 9.44 million metric tons. The surge highlights Moscow’s ability to keep product flows moving through its ports even as revenues fall under Western sanctions and repeated Ukrainian strikes.
Exports through the Baltic ports of Primorsk, Vysotsk, St. Petersburg, and Ust-Luga climbed 12.3% month-on-month to 5.33 million tons, while Black Sea and Azov Sea shipments gained 3.6% to 3.39 million tons. Far East flows increased 13.5% to 693,500 tons after refineries completed maintenance, though Arctic shipments dropped by nearly a quarter to just 30,700 tons.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported last week that Russian oil revenues fell to about $13.5 billion in August, among the lowest levels since the invasion, as crude and product discounts widened and reliance on “shadow fleet” tankers grew.
The contrast between higher shipment volumes and declining earnings illustrates the pressure Moscow faces to maintain output against sanctions and price caps.
Kyiv has vowed to intensify drone operations against Russian refineries, fuel depots, and export terminals, while export data shows Moscow’s resilience, despite revenues being under strain.
Source: Oilprice.com
France Faces Energy Production Cuts As Workers Protest Nationwide Over Budget Cuts
France is facing widespread power cuts as workers of the country’s power utility company, EDF, joined nationwide protests against proposed government budget cuts.
Power supply from EDF’s nuclear power plants was reduced by 1.1 gigawatts early on Thursday.
Data from EDF showed that workers lowered power output at the Flamanville 1 reactor as part of the nationwide strike, which is expected to affect several sectors.
Nuclear production was impacted only at this single power plant, while hydropower output remained unaffected, the data indicated.
France has 57 GW of total nuclear capacity, which generates about 70% of the country’s annual electricity.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
AOW: Africa Needs $100bn Investment In Renewable Energy To Boost Green Industrial Growth – AfCFTA Boss
The Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), His Excellency Wamkele Mene, has said Africa will require as much as $100 billion to fast-track the development of renewable energy and expand electricity access across the continent.
He noted that although Africa possesses 60% of the world’s renewable energy resources, it still lacks the necessary capital to fully harness these resources to transform its energy and industrial sectors.
H.E. Mene made these remarks while delivering the opening keynote address on the theme “Energy and Sustainable Forum” during the final day of the 2025 Africa Oil Week (AOW) on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Accra.
As the champion of AfCFTA, he highlighted that 49 out of Africa’s 54 countries have ratified the agreement to undertake intra-African trade activities. This, he said, provides an opportunity to leverage the continent’s vast population to drive investment in energy development and industrial growth.
According to him, if Africa can tap into its abundant solar, geothermal, and other renewable resources, the continent could soon close the wide electricity gap that continues to hinder its people.
The AfCFTA boss lamented that Africa still imports finished products, energy experts, and other commodities in this century.
He urged African leaders, business drivers, and the few experts in the energy sector to design a practical action plan to transform the sector in the foreseeable future.
The theme for Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2025 in Ghana is “Sustainable Energy Transition and Investment in African Resources.” The event focuses on co-creating Africa’s energy future—particularly its gas resources—through partnerships, deal-making, innovation, and strong governance.
The gathering has brought together key stakeholders in oil and gas to bridge gaps between governments, the private sector, and investors, with the goal of shaping the future of Africa’s energy landscape. Discussions also addressed the complexities of the energy transition, including carbon management and energy access.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
AOW: Experts Call For Dedicated Funds To Build African Capacities To Secure The Future Of Upstream Oil And Gas Resources
The Chief Technical Officer for Aradel Holdings Dr. Ebenezer Ageh, has urged Africans to dedicate funds towards building local capacities to produce homegrown experts in the upstream oil and gas value chain.
He gave this piece of advice during the 2025 edition of Africa Oil Week held in Accra, Ghana’s capital, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at a panel discussion under the Leadership Dialogue Series: ‘Shaping the Future of Upstream’.
The session, moderated by Olawale Noikoi, a partner at Deloitte, sought solutions from industry leaders on addressing the expertise and financial gaps that have slowed Africa’s drive toward accelerated development in the sector.
“If we, as a continent, decide to engage our universities and fund research to produce experts and advance technology within the sector, it will significantly improve our future,” Dr Ageh asserted.
On her part, Emily Watt, the Vice President for Refining and Product Trading, Europe and Africa, at bp, called for an enhanced technological training.
According to her, if Africa can build business trust and strengthen partnerships in developing the sector, the continent will reap long-term benefits from such investments.
She, therefore, urged African stakeholders to leverage these key areas to fast-track socioeconomic development.
The Africa Oil Week is taking place in Accra for the first-time after being hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, for thirty years.
The premier event was relocated to Ghana in 2024 and, just like in Cape Town, it has continued to attract global participation.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa: Eskom Leases Five Steam Locomotives To New Cape Central Railway Ltd For Five Years
South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, has announced the leasing of five steam locomotives located at Rosherville in Gauteng to New Cape Central Railway Ltd. for a period of five years, following a rigorous open tender process in May 2024.
According to Eskom, the process was conducted in close consultation with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and the Heritage Railway Association of South Africa (HRASA), which provided guidance to ensure compliance with national heritage standards.
In a statement issued on Monday, Eskom said that while its core mandate is to deliver quality and reliable electricity, it also has a responsibility to safeguard the valuable heritage assets entrusted to it.
“By opting for a lease arrangement rather than a sale, Eskom retains custodianship of these assets, affirming its commitment to heritage preservation as a proudly South African company,” Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said.
Originally intended for restoration and public exhibition, the locomotives were retrieved from the now-defunct museum.
Commenting on the development, Chief Executive Officer of Eskom Rotek Industries, Hector Danisa, said:
“These iconic locomotives have powered the energy industry for more than a century. This milestone demonstrates our shared commitment to preserving them and making them accessible through structured partnerships, ensuring their legacy endures for many years to come. They form a vital part of South Africa’s industrial and cultural heritage.”
Eskom, which turned 102 years old on March 1 this year, supplies around 90% of South Africa’s electricity and 30% of Africa’s total power.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.comAfrica Is The Biggest Investment Hub Now; Invest Before It’s Too Late – Ghana’s Energy Minister Tells Investors
Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, has made a strong case for Africa as the world’s most promising investment hub, urging global investors to seize opportunities on the continent before it is too late.
Africa is home to over 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, accounting for approximately 7% of the world’s total.
Besides oil and gas reserves, the continent is rich in minerals including gold, copper, uranium, bauxite and lithium.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Gastech Conference in Milan, Italy, which concluded on September 12, 2025, Minister Jinapor emphasised that Africa is no longer just a source of raw materials but a continent in the midst of transformation, with industrialisation, financial sector reforms and economic restructuring creating an attractive environment for investment.
“Africa is the next source of investment. We are proving that we are the resource. Industrialisation is picking up and we are building stronger and more predictable economies,” he said.
“These are the key ingredients investors want to see before committing their resources, and they are happening in Africa now.”
He highlighted Ghana’s progress in boosting investor confidence, citing increased interest in the country’s energy and financial sectors.
According to him, Africa offers reliable returns and abundant opportunities that investors cannot afford to ignore.
Jinapor, however, cautioned that Africa must avoid a model of mere resource exploitation and instead focus on harnessing its natural wealth to promote inclusive growth.
He stressed that not only do investments drive GDP growth but also improve livelihoods across the continent.
“When growth is inclusive, it brings peace, cohesion and stability. That is the kind of development Africa is looking for,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister reaffirmed Africa’s position as the final frontier for global investments: “My message is simple: Africa is the next investment destination. The earlier you invest in Africa, the better it will be for you.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
“These are the key ingredients investors want to see before committing their resources, and they are happening in Africa now.”
He highlighted Ghana’s progress in boosting investor confidence, citing increased interest in the country’s energy and financial sectors.
According to him, Africa offers reliable returns and abundant opportunities that investors cannot afford to ignore.
Jinapor, however, cautioned that Africa must avoid a model of mere resource exploitation and instead focus on harnessing its natural wealth to promote inclusive growth.
He stressed that not only do investments drive GDP growth but also improve livelihoods across the continent.
“When growth is inclusive, it brings peace, cohesion and stability. That is the kind of development Africa is looking for,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister reaffirmed Africa’s position as the final frontier for global investments: “My message is simple: Africa is the next investment destination. The earlier you invest in Africa, the better it will be for you.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Zambia, Botswana Sign MoU On Energy Cooperation
Zambia and Botswana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to commit to advancing regional energy development through mutual cooperation.
The agreement was signed in Lusaka during the Energy Forum for Africa Conference by Zambia’s Acting Minister of Energy, Mr. Elvis Nkandu, and Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Hon. Bogolo Joy Kenewendo.
The signing was witnessed by Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Electricity, Eng. Arnold Simwaba, and Botswana’s Assistant Deputy Permanent Secretary for Energy, Tunso Matshameki.
The MoU is aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering energy development in the region.
It also emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative energy sources beyond hydropower to strengthen energy security and sustainability in the face of climate change and growing demand.
Speaking at the ceremony, the ministers underscored that the MoU represents a milestone in deepening collaboration between the two countries, paving the way for joint initiatives, investments, and policy harmonisation toward building a resilient energy future.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya, Korea Sign MoU On Nuclear Energy Research Cooperation
Kenya and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen technical cooperation in nuclear energy research and development.
The agreement was signed on September 15, 2025, in Vienna, Austria, on the sidelines of the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
It was signed by the Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) CEO, Justus Wabuyabo, and Han Gyu Joo, President of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI).
The signing was witnessed by Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation.
NuPEA described the MoU as a “major milestone” in Kenya’s pursuit of a robust nuclear energy framework.
“It serves as a testament to the country’s commitment to developing a technically sound, safe, and sustainable nuclear programme,” the agency stated.
According to NuPEA, the Kenya Nuclear Research Reactor (KNRR) will be central to building local capacity in nuclear science, while also advancing the country’s participation in the global nuclear energy agenda.
“The KNRR is envisioned to be instrumental in advancing national priorities outlined in Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” NuPEA added.
The new MoU builds on earlier collaboration between NuPEA and KAERI, including a comprehensive feasibility study for the KNRR project.
In preparation, NuPEA has undertaken stakeholder consultations, policy and strategy formulation, economic viability assessments, and detailed site investigations.
Officials said the agreement will deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in advancing Kenya’s nuclear power and research reactor programmes.
NuPEA and KAERI also reaffirmed their commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, underscoring the principles of transparency, accountability, and mutual benefit.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Chevron And Israel To Build Gas Pipeline To Egypt
Chevron and state-owned Israel Natural Gas Lines Ltd have signed an agreement to build a natural gas pipeline from Israel’s giant Leviathan gas field to Egypt, Leviathan project participant NewMed Energy has said.
Chevron’s unit Chevron Mediterranean Limited, the operator of the Leviathan Project, agreed with Israel Natural Gas Lines to provide transmission services for the flow of natural gas from the Leviathan reservoir to Egypt through the Nitzana Project.
The project is for onshore connection between the Israeli transmission system and the Egyptian transmission system in the Nitzana area, said NewMed Energy, which leads a partnership with a 45.34% in Leviathan.
The project includes the construction of a pipeline and a compressor station in the Ramat Hovav area in southern Israel and about 65 km of pipeline (40 miles) to the Nitzana border crossing.
The new pipeline will enable up to 600 million cubic feet per day to flow toward Egypt once the project comes on stream.
Chevron plans to raise Israeli pipeline gas deliveries and add more U.S. LNG into Egypt to cover surging demand, even as regional tensions persist.
“Egypt needs all the gas it can get,” said Freeman Shaheen, Chevron’s president for global gas, at the Gastech conference in Milan last week, per Bloomberg.
Egypt flipped back to LNG importing last year after domestic output fell, tightening its power balance and pushing it to tap more spot and term cargoes.
New floating import terminals have come online, and 2025 LNG receipts have already doubled versus 2018 levels. Piped volumes from Israel have become a core pillar of supply.
Chevron operates Israel’s Leviathan and another offshore field that feed gas to Egypt. Leviathan was briefly shut during the Israel-Iran conflict for security reasons, but flows have resumed.
In August, Israel and Egypt unveiled a long-term gas agreement worth roughly $35 billion—Israel’s largest to date—reinforcing Cairo’s import strategy.
Source: Oilprice.com
IAEA Raises Nuclear Power Projections For Fifth Consecutive Year
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has revised upwards its projections for the expansion of nuclear power, as global momentum continues to build behind this clean and secure source of energy.
According to the IAEA, global nuclear operational capacity will more than double by 2050 – reaching 2.6 times the 2024 level – with small modular reactors (SMRs) expected to play a pivotal role in this expansion.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi announced the new projections, contained in the annual report Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period up to 2050, at the 69th IAEA General Conference in Vienna.
At the end of 2024, 417 nuclear power reactors were operational, with a global capacity of 377 gigawatts electric (GW(e).
In the high case projection, nuclear electrical generating capacity is projected to increase to 992 GW(e) by 2050. In the low case projection, capacity rises 50% to 561 GW(e), compared with 2024.
SMRs are projected to account for 24% of the new capacity added in the high case and for 5% in the low case.
In 2021, the IAEA revised upwards its annual projections for the first time since Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station accident in 2011.
Since then, the projection for the high case has increased by 25%, from 792 GW(e) in 2021.
“The IAEA’s steadily rising annual projections underscore a growing global consensus: nuclear power is indispensable for achieving clean, reliable and sustainable energy for all,” Director General Grossi said.
Assumptions and considerations
All operating reactors, possible licence renewals, planned shutdowns, power uprates to increase output levels, and plausible and ongoing construction projects foreseen for the next few decades were considered in the projections.
The assumptions of the low case projections are that current market, technology and resource trends continue and that there are few changes in laws, policies and regulations affecting nuclear power.
In the high case, national intentions for expanding the use of nuclear power were considered.
The report states that the high case projection remains both plausible and technically feasible and notes the possibility for capacity to exceed this estimate.
The report states that enabling factors, such as national policies, supporting investment and workforce development, would be necessary to help facilitate reaching – or exceeding – the high case.
While SMRs continue to attract a lot of interest from both embarking and expanding nuclear power countries, harmonized regulatory and industrial approaches will also be necessary for their successful and timely deployment.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
In 2021, the IAEA revised upwards its annual projections for the first time since Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station accident in 2011.
Since then, the projection for the high case has increased by 25%, from 792 GW(e) in 2021.
“The IAEA’s steadily rising annual projections underscore a growing global consensus: nuclear power is indispensable for achieving clean, reliable and sustainable energy for all,” Director General Grossi said.
Assumptions and considerations
All operating reactors, possible licence renewals, planned shutdowns, power uprates to increase output levels, and plausible and ongoing construction projects foreseen for the next few decades were considered in the projections.
The assumptions of the low case projections are that current market, technology and resource trends continue and that there are few changes in laws, policies and regulations affecting nuclear power.
In the high case, national intentions for expanding the use of nuclear power were considered.
The report states that the high case projection remains both plausible and technically feasible and notes the possibility for capacity to exceed this estimate.
The report states that enabling factors, such as national policies, supporting investment and workforce development, would be necessary to help facilitate reaching – or exceeding – the high case.
While SMRs continue to attract a lot of interest from both embarking and expanding nuclear power countries, harmonized regulatory and industrial approaches will also be necessary for their successful and timely deployment.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com US Approves $130 Million Project To Build Power Line In Moldova
The U.S. has approved a $130 million project to construct a high voltage transmission line to ensure a reliable electricity supply to Moldova from European markets, the U.S. embassy in Moldova said on Wednesday.
Moldova depends on electricity produced in the separatist region of Transdniestria, which uses Russian gas for its production.
After Ukraine refused to extend the contract for the transit of Russian gas to Europe, Transdniestria sharply reduced its energy production and only resumed it after alternative supplies from Europe began.
The embassy said the project would create significant opportunities for U.S. firms by enabling Moldova to adopt and utilize U.S. technologies.
“It will unlock potential across multiple sectors, including transmission infrastructure, grid optimization technologies, information and communication technologies, nuclear power, and battery storage,” it said on Facebook.
Source: Reuters
Ghana Hosts Africa Oil Week As President Mahama Opens 2025 Edition
Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, on Tuesday officially opened the Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2025 in Accra, pledging the government’s full support to make the event grow even bigger.
The premier annual oil and gas gathering, which was previously hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, has now been permanently relocated to Accra after 30 years in South Africa, where it all began.
Like Cape Town, Accra’s edition has attracted CEOs of National Oil Companies (NOCs), International Oil Companies (IOCs), ministers, policymakers, energy professionals, bankers, and other stakeholders.
The four-day event is being held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Nigeria: We Need Stronger African Collaboration To Achieve Energy Security, Says NNPC CEO
The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to partnering with other African nations to achieve sustainable energy security across the continent.
Engr. Ojulari made this call while addressing industry leaders at the 7th African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) National Oil Companies CEOs Forum in Accra, Ghana’s capital. He stressed the urgency for Africa to accelerate its energy transition and secure its energy future.
He highlighted the decline of European investments in fossil fuel refineries, with most set to phase out by 2030, noting that this makes it imperative for Africa to take decisive action in harnessing its abundant resources for the benefit of its people.
“Africa must take ownership of its resources and policies. Our policies should be designed by us. With our vast resource base and improved governance structures, I am confident the continent can secure its energy destiny,” Ojulari said.
The GCEO outlined strategic infrastructure projects spearheaded by NNPC Ltd, including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project, designed to strengthen connectivity across Nigeria’s energy network.
He also emphasised progress on the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, an expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), which will enhance regional integration and cross-border energy trade.
“When we started, we faced challenges with alignment, payments, and collaboration, but today the framework is working. The plan is to extend the pipeline to Côte d’Ivoire as the first phase, and ultimately to Morocco,” he explained.
Engr. Ojulari further highlighted the enabling investment environment created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which continues to open new opportunities for investors across the oil and gas value chain.
On security, he disclosed that through strengthened partnerships with host communities and security agencies, Nigeria has achieved 100% pipeline availability for the first time in two decades — a milestone that has restored confidence in the resilience of the country’s energy infrastructure.
Benchmarking with global energy leaders such as Petrobras, Petronas, and Saudi Aramco, the GCEO reiterated NNPC Ltd’s readiness to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive collective progress with African peers to unlock the continent’s full energy potential.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
First Nigerian Gasoline Cargo Arrives In U.S.
The first cargo of Nigerian gasoline produced at the Dangote refinery has reportedly arrived at its destination in the United States.
Reuters, citing unnamed sources in the know and ship-tracking data, said the gasoline cargo was arranged by Sunoco and commodity trader Vitol.
VesselFinder reported that Gemini Pearl, a Panama-flagged oil product carrier, was currently located in the Port of New York, arriving there on Sunday.
Most of the cargo, which stands at 320,000 barrels, was sold to Sunoco, with Vitol set to keep the rest for itself.
Reuters further reported that another cargo of gasoline produced at the Dangote refinery had been sold by Glencore to Shell and was set to be delivered in New York on September 19.
The publication noted in its report that the two cargoes were evidence that the Dangote refinery had met the strict U.S. requirements for the quality of fuels that can be marketed in the United States. According to Reuters, it was a major milestone for the Nigerian refinery.
The 650,000-barrels-daily refinery is the first in Nigeria, property of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, whose ambition is to both secure fuel supply for the domestic market in Africa’s top crude oil exporter, and turn the country into a fuel exporter as well. The refinery’s capacity should allow it to satisfy domestic demand in full and export the excess.
The first fuel cargo out of Nigeria was reported in June, with the destination said to be in Asia. Then, earlier this month, the Dangote facility had to suspend gasoline production because of a problem with its catalytic cracking unit.
Meanwhile, Nigerian media reported the refinery had exported a total of .1 billion liters of gasoline in the three months from June and the first week of September, hitting a major export milestone.
Source: Oilprice.com