Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has urged fuel retail outlet operators and tanker drivers to comply with industry regulations, warning that offenders involved in illicit petroleum activities will face sanctions and prosecution.
The regulator said practices such as sourcing fuel from unauthorised suppliers, operating without the required permits and engaging in fuel siphoning could compromise fuel quality and damage the reputation of petroleum service providers.
Speaking at the second edition of the NPA Regional Downstream Compliance Workshop held in Ghana’s Central and Western regions from June 30 to July 2, NPA Director of Business Development Godwin Yaw Konu said compliance was critical to maintaining standards in the downstream petroleum sector.
“The integrity of petroleum products must be maintained for the benefit of consumers and the industry as a whole,” Konu said.
The workshop, organised by the NPA’s Business Development Directorate, brought together fuel dealers and bulk road vehicle drivers to discuss regulatory requirements, operational challenges and measures to improve compliance across the petroleum value chain.
Konu said the downstream petroleum industry makes a significant contribution to Ghana’s economy and that continued stakeholder engagement was necessary to reinforce regulatory standards.
He also advised fuel dealers to regularly monitor water levels in underground storage tanks following recent heavy rains to prevent contaminated fuel from reaching consumers.
NPA Head of Security and Intelligence Isaac Djagbetey urged petroleum service providers to source products only from authorised depots and warned against supplying fuel to illegal mining operations, locally known as galamsey.
Richard Apaloo, a senior manager with the NPA’s Inspections, Monitoring and HSSE Directorate, called on fuel dealers to keep valid regulatory documents available for inspection.
Meanwhile, Nana Afua Nuamah Bosumtwi, Head of Claims at the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), cautioned tanker drivers against tampering with vehicle tracking systems and encouraged timely submission of transport documentation to facilitate claims processing.
Adams Baba Adams of the NPA’s Quality Assurance Directorate urged dealers to ensure fuel quality standards were maintained to protect consumers and prevent vehicle damage.
The regulator also encouraged consumers to report cases of suspected fuel under-delivery or poor product quality within 48 hours to aid investigations.
Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service conducted fire safety training and emergency response drills, while the National Road Safety Authority urged tanker drivers to adopt defensive driving practices and respect other road users to reduce accidents.
Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised the management and Board of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) for restoring the refinery to crude oil processing and delivering a profit before tax of GH¢1.42 billion in 2025.
Speaking at the refinery’s 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at The Palms by Eagles (formerly Holiday Inn Hotel) in Accra, Dr. Jinapor said the current management and Board had demonstrated strong leadership by reviving a refinery that had remained idle for several years.
Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy and Green Transition.
“In less than two years, you have demonstrated competence by turning around a refinery that had been idle for years,” he said.
“For me, it shows that leadership means a lot. With the right kind of leadership, management, and Board, you can turn around a situation that looks insurmountable. In less than two years, you have achieved a monumental feat. This is a significant achievement.”
“I can only say thank you to you all. You have done what one can describe as unprecedented,” he added.
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Dr. Jinapor disclosed that he had held discussions with the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on the need to ring-fence the refinery’s legacy debt, particularly obligations owed to the government.
According to him, the move would provide TOR with a cleaner balance sheet, enabling it to access the financial markets to raise capital for its operations.
As of the end of December 2024, the refinery owed US$97 million to the government, US$58 million to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), US$78.9 million to the Volta River Authority (VRA), US$128 million to Sahara Oil, and US$41 million to BP.
“The Minister for Finance has asked me to engage an audit firm to undertake a comprehensive assessment of all energy sector agencies. What we want to do is examine the debt, particularly debt owed to the government, so that we can ring-fence it and remove it from the balance sheet. That will enable TOR to access the financial market to raise funds,” Dr. Jinapor said.
He added that the government was also making arrangements to supply the refinery with locally produced crude oil from Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the refinery to ensure it sustains its operations.
More than 620,000 customers across the United States were without power as of late Sunday following severe storms, with up to 2% of customers in some areas experiencing outages, according to Oilprice.com, citing PowerOutage.com.
Residents across Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, Virginia, and Texas were without electricity on Sunday night, according to PowerOutage.com, which tracks live power outages across the United States.
Michigan and Pennsylvania recorded the highest shares of customers without power, at 2% and 1.7%, respectively, according to the outage tracker.
Pennsylvania’s PPL Electric Utilities said it had restored power to more than 130,000 customers since the storms began this weekend, but warned that “significant work remains as crews continue repairing extensive damage and rebuilding portions of the electric system.”
The utility described the event as one of the most significant and impactful storms in its history. Since Friday, it has identified more than 2,360 locations with damage, including downed wires, broken poles, and damaged equipment.
“Due to the extensive damage caused by this storm, restoration is expected to be a multi-day effort, with restoration work continuing through July 8, 2026” PPL said.
In Michigan, DTE Energy said it estimated that 85% to 90% of affected customers would have power restored by the end of Sunday, July 5.
In New York, Con Edison said early Monday that crews had restored power to more than 166,800 of the approximately 173,700 customers affected by extreme weather, ranging from record-breaking heat to severe thunderstorms with destructive wind gusts.
The storms followed an extreme heat wave that gripped much of the United States. Late last week, PJM Interconnection, the operator of the nation’s largest electric grid, issued a maximum generation alert, urging power producers to maximize electricity generation as electricity demand surged.
OPEC+ has agreed to a further increase in oil production targets from August, the group said in a statement on Sunday, adding to global supply as oil prices ease and exports through the Strait of Hormuz continue to recover, Reuters reported.
The oil-producing group agreed during an online meeting to increase production quotas by 188,000 barrels per day (bpd) from August, on top of similar increases approved for June and July.
The seven core members of OPEC+ — which comprises OPEC members and allied producers, including Russia — have increased their output quotas from April through July by almost 800,000 bpd.
However, much of that increase has remained on paper because the US-Israeli war with Iran disrupted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting exports from key OPEC+ producers, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.
OPEC+ output fell to 33.13 million bpd in May, according to OPEC data, down from 42.77 million bpd in February.
Production began to recover in June as exports through the Strait of Hormuz resumed, although output remains below pre-war levels.
Despite ongoing supply disruptions, oil prices have returned to pre-war levels, weighed down by weaker Chinese imports, higher exports from producers outside the Middle East, and a record coordinated release of strategic oil reserves by the International Energy Agency.
“The group of seven kept unwinding their production cuts as widely expected,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. “The near-term focus will remain on how many tankers manage to cross the Strait of Hormuz and how quickly demand and Chinese crude imports recover.”
A memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict has also helped convince traders that supplies will eventually return to normal.
Brent crude traded near $72 a barrel on Friday, down from recent highs of more than $120 a barrel and back to levels seen before the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.
Beyond production targets, OPEC+ is also facing internal challenges after the United Arab Emirates left the alliance and Iraq signalled it wants a higher production quota.
OPEC+ comprises 21 members, including Iran, although in recent years only seven countries — and the UAE before its departure — have participated in monthly production management.
Those seven producers — Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan and Oman — are increasing output as part of the phased rollback of a 1.65 million bpd production cut agreed in 2023, when the UAE was still a member.
The UAE withdrew from the alliance in late April, saying it wanted to align production more closely with its capacity without the constraints imposed by the group.
From August, after accounting for the UAE’s exit on May 1, the seven remaining core members will still have around 379,000 bpd of the original production cut left to restore to the market, according to Reuters calculations.
With the August increase now agreed, the group is on track to fully unwind the 2023 production cut if it approves another increase of roughly the same size at its next meeting on August 2.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio has warned against the theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure, saying the practices are undermining government efforts to provide reliable and sustainable power across the country.
Speaking at a presidential town hall meeting in Makeni, Bio urged citizens to protect public electricity infrastructure and refrain from damaging or stealing electrical equipment.
He said vandalism of power installations and the theft of electrical materials continue to disrupt electricity supply in Makeni and other parts of Sierra Leone.
Bio also criticised illegal electricity connections and non-payment of electricity bills, saying both practices threaten the financial sustainability of the country’s power sector.
“Electricity cannot be sustained if people continue to consume power without paying for it,” Bio said, adding that illegal connections and meter bypasses deprive the sector of revenue needed for maintenance, expansion and improved service delivery.
The president said between 60% and 70% of electricity consumed in Makeni is not paid for, placing significant financial pressure on the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and affecting its ability to provide consistent service.
“Electricity cannot be sustained if people continue to consume power without paying for it,” the President emphasized, warning that illegal connections and meter bypasses deprive the sector of much-needed revenue required for maintenance, expansion, and improved service delivery.
Despite the challenges, Bio said the government remains committed to expanding electricity generation and strengthening the country’s power infrastructure.
He said plans are underway to expand the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project to increase electricity generation from its current capacity of about 50 megawatts to help meet rising demand.
Bio also highlighted several ongoing energy projects, including the recently commissioned 40-megawatt Newton Solar Power Plant, which he said began operations two weeks ago.
He added that the 108-megawatt Nant Power Plant, currently under construction, is expected to be connected to the national grid once completed, while a 10-megawatt solar power plant in Lungi is nearing completion and is expected to improve electricity supply in northern Sierra Leone.
Bio said the investments reflect the government’s commitment to providing stable, affordable and sustainable electricity nationwide but stressed that their success will also depend on public cooperation in protecting electricity infrastructure and paying electricity bills on time.
Nigeria has joined the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an Association country, expanding cooperation between the global energy watchdog and Africa’s largest oil producer, the agency said on Friday.
The move makes Nigeria the 14th Association country in the IEA programme, which was launched in 2015 to strengthen cooperation with major energy-producing and energy-consuming nations.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with more than 240 million people, is one of the continent’s largest producers of oil and natural gas while also emerging as a fast-growing market for decentralised solar energy.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said Nigeria’s admission marked an important step in strengthening cooperation on energy security, energy access and sustainable energy development.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, welcomed the decision, saying it would deepen cooperation with the agency and support efforts to expand energy access and industrialisation across Africa.
“It is an honour for Nigeria to join this leading energy agency, and I encourage countries across Africa to strengthen their engagement with the IEA as we work together to achieve key development goals, including universal energy access and industrialisation.”
Nigeria’s growing role in international energy markets has been underscored by recent developments in its refining sector. During periods of market disruption, increased fuel exports from Nigeria helped strengthen the resilience of African and global fuel markets.
The IEA said Nigeria and the agency would work more closely on energy security, methane emissions, electricity access and broader energy policy across sub-Saharan Africa.
The decision builds on cooperation between Nigeria and the IEA dating back to 2014. In 2025, the agency, Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the African Energy Commission organised a regional meeting in Abuja to advance efforts to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector.
The IEA said its Association programme now includes 14 countries and represents more than 80% of global energy demand, up from 40% when the programme was launched in 2015.
A fuel tanker driver was killed on Saturday after a tanker truck caught fire at Asutsuare Junction in Ghana’s Eastern Region, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said.
The driver’s mate was rescued from the scene and transported to Akuse Hospital for treatment, the GNFS said.
The fire service said it received a distress call at 0441 hours and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene.
Four fire engines from Somanya, VRA, Akosombo and Gbetsile responded to the incident, with the first crew arriving at 0530 hours.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 0603 hours and fully extinguished it at 0630 hours, according to the GNFS.
The tanker and its contents were completely destroyed in the fire.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
BP has appointed Sam Skerry as executive vice president (EVP) for Supply, Trading & Shipping and Sonya Adams as EVP for People & Culture, with both appointments taking effect on Aug. 1, the company said.
Skerry has nearly 30 years of experience at BP and has spent much of her career leading trading businesses across oil, natural gas and derivatives.
She most recently served as senior vice president for Mergers & Acquisitions and Business Development, where she helped simplify BP’s portfolio, strengthen the balance sheet, reduce costs and support profitable growth.
Adams has more than 25 years of experience at BP and has held senior leadership roles across Asia Pacific, Europe and the UK in customers and products, finance, transformation and, most recently, as chief of staff to Chief Executive Officer Meg O’Neill.
“Sam and Sonya bring significant leadership experience to these roles,” O’Neill said in a statement.
“Sam is widely respected for her commercial and strategic insight and for her ability to navigate complex, high-profile commercial situations. As chief of staff, Sonya developed a deep understanding of the company and the levers that drive performance.”
O’Neill said Adams was passionate about the role of culture, leadership and capability in enabling strategic change and helping BP improve performance.
The company also said Deputy Chief Executive Carol Howle would retire after 26 years with BP, while Kerry Dryburgh, EVP for People, Culture & Communications, had decided to leave the company after 16 years. Both executives will leave later in the third quarter.
O’Neill thanked Howle and Dryburgh for their contributions to the company.
“Carol led the company through a critical transitional phase as interim CEO and then deputy CEO,” O’Neill said.
“With her departure, I have chosen not to replace the deputy CEO role. We have significant actions underway to streamline the organisational model and we have a focused leadership team in place.”
ExxonMobil, the American oil and gas giant, has donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June 2026.
The donation will support the American Red Cross and its global Red Cross network as they provide critical humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the disaster.
According to the company, the funds will be used to address urgent humanitarian needs and support recovery efforts in the areas most affected by the earthquakes.
“Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela,” said Alvin Abraham, Global Manager of Corporate Giving at ExxonMobil. “Our contribution aims to help ensure that affected communities receive the care and resources they need.”
Donations to the American Red Cross designated for the Venezuela earthquake relief efforts will help provide a range of essential services, including emergency shelter, relief supplies, cash assistance, healthcare, safe water and sanitation, psychosocial support, family reunification services, and other forms of recovery assistance for people impacted by the earthquakes.
ExxonMobil also commended the first responders, volunteers, and community leaders working tirelessly on the ground to support relief and recovery efforts.
Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production increased to 1.73 million barrels per day (mbpd) in May 2026, up from 1.68 mbpd recorded in April, according to the latest monthly report released by NNPC Limited on July 1.
The increase was driven by improved asset reliability and higher facility uptime, the report said.
According to NNPC Limited, however, production gains in May were constrained by persistent operational challenges, including poor well performance at TEPNG, reservoir pressure issues at Bonga, lifting curtailments at Nembe, and maintenance activities at the Stardeep Agbami field.
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The company reported a profit after tax of N462 billion for May, while revenue stood at N4.335 trillion. Total statutory remittances to the Federal Government between January and May amounted to N4.858 trillion.
The report also showed that gas production reached a 12-month high of 7,774 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d).
However, gas sales declined slightly to 4,921 mmscf/d in May from 5,044 mmscf/d in April.
Despite the increase in production, crude oil and condensate sales fell to 18.95 million barrels in May from 23.65 million barrels recorded in April, reflecting weaker sales volumes.
NNPC Limited also reported strong pipeline performance, with upstream pipeline availability reaching 98%, while work continued on several strategic gas infrastructure projects.
The company disclosed that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline reached 97% completion, adding that work on the River Niger crossing had advanced significantly following successful pullback operations.
According to the report, ongoing pre-commissioning and tie-in activities are expected to pave the way for the full commissioning of the OB3 pipeline section by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline achieved 94% completion.
NNPC said mainline construction, installation, and pre-commissioning activities are progressing to support early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.
The company added that retail performance remained mixed, with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) availability across NNPC Retail stations standing at 57%.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, has announced a $285 million commitment to help scale clean energy fast enough to meet the world’s growing energy demand.
The new initiative marks the next phase of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global energy programme, with a focus on accelerating the deployment of reliable, affordable, and secure clean energy worldwide.
As industrial growth, artificial intelligence, electrification, and geopolitical instability reshape global energy markets, Bloomberg Philanthropies is expanding its efforts across emerging and developing economies.
The initiative aims to strengthen national clean energy industries by enhancing their institutional capacity, technical expertise, market knowledge, and analytical capabilities.
According to the organisation, these efforts will enable clean energy stakeholders to play a more influential role in energy planning, financing, and market decisions that have traditionally been dominated by incumbent energy interests.
“Clean energy is now cheaper than fossil fuels in virtually every part of the world, and as a result, its share of global power production is growing,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
“But fixable obstacles are still slowing down deployment—and with energy demand rising at an unprecedented pace, we can’t allow those obstacles to continue standing in the way of lower energy costs for households and businesses, and cleaner air and water for communities. This new investment will help ensure they don’t.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the commitment, saying: “The clean energy age has arrived. As demand for power surges, it must now scale rapidly in the economies that need it most. Michael Bloomberg’s commitment does exactly that—backing the industries that will power homes, lower energy bills, strengthen economies, and improve air quality for billions of people. Together, let us bring the renewable energy revolution to every corner of the world.”
Clean energy is now the most cost-effective source of new electricity generation in most parts of the world.
In 2025, renewable energy accounted for 34% of global electricity generation, surpassing coal’s 33% share for the first time in approximately a century.
By 2030, renewable energy and nuclear power are projected to generate half of the world’s electricity, underscoring the accelerating global transition towards cleaner energy sources.
However, this progress is exposing a new challenge: ensuring that clean energy deployment keeps pace with soaring electricity demand. While clean energy technologies are scaling rapidly, the industries and institutions supporting them are still maturing. In many markets, the clean energy sector remains under-resourced compared with incumbent energy industries that have spent decades building political influence, technical expertise, financing networks, and institutional capacity.
The question is no longer whether clean energy is economically viable. The question is whether the industries behind it can mature quickly enough to shape the future energy system.
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new commitment is designed to help close that gap by building on existing efforts in emerging and developing economies, where electricity demand is growing the fastest.
Focused on countries responsible for nearly 70% of global power sector emissions, the initiative aims to help solar and wind generate more than half of their electricity by 2030 through:
Strengthening clean energy industry associations and regional networks to enable them to participate more effectively in energy planning, financing, and market design.
Supporting data collection, economic analysis, and technical research that demonstrate how clean energy can deliver reliable, affordable power at scale.
Providing technical assistance to help governments and regulators create market conditions that accelerate clean energy investment and deployment.
Partnering with financial institutions and investors to unlock greater private capital for clean energy infrastructure.
Barbara Buchner, CEO of Climate Policy Initiative, said: “Renewable energy is the world’s fastest-growing power source, but that growth is uneven. Markets with great potential are often the ones where the foundational prerequisites—such as strong policy frameworks, institutional capacity, industry coordination, and reliable data—are still being established. Directing resources towards closing those gaps is what turns potential into bankable opportunity, and that is what this commitment does.”
Tetchi Capellan, Chairperson of the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association, said: “Across Asia, solar momentum remains strong because we have the natural resources, the ambition, and the technology to succeed. But turning that momentum into a lasting energy transition requires infrastructure the region is still building—from grid stability and energy storage integration to the removal of investment barriers. This investment gives industry associations the capacity and resources needed to meet those challenges head-on.”
Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, said: “Competitive technology alone doesn’t build a new energy system. In market after market, we see the same story: the economics are there, the projects are ready, but what slows us down is the institutional and political representation gap. Renewable energy associations that can engage effectively in grid planning, market design, and finance are not a peripheral concern—they are what turn a country’s energy potential into actual power on the grid. That is what this investment recognises, and it is long overdue.”
Patricia Espinosa, CEO and Founding Partner of onepoint5, and former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, said:”The emerging economies driving global energy demand are also those with the greatest potential to power themselves with renewables. Many have set ambitious clean energy targets, and there is no single blueprint for how the transition should happen. It must be tailored to the realities of each country, its businesses, and its people. What they all share is the need for an effective enabling environment and the infrastructure required to translate those targets into large-scale deployment. That is the gap this commitment addresses, and that is why it matters.”
Saliem Fakir, Executive Director of the African Climate Foundation, said:”Africa has abundant renewable energy resources and rapidly growing electricity demand. What has been missing is not the potential, but the institutional capacity and capabilities needed to unlock it: an ecosystem of stakeholders with the analytical expertise to engage in energy planning, the technical knowledge to work with regulators, and the credibility to mobilise private finance at scale. Philanthropic investment that directly addresses those gaps can fundamentally shift the trajectory of the continent’s energy system. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ commitment provides a real opportunity to reshape Africa’s energy future in a lasting way.”
Mada Ayu Habsari, Chairperson of the Indonesian Solar Energy Association, said:”Indonesia has every reason to become a solar energy leader: a fast-growing economy, vast renewable resources, and an ambitious target to deliver 100GW of solar capacity, anchored by the immediate Quick Win 17GW programme. Realising that potential requires more than ambition. It demands industry associations with the standing to engage directly with government, a pragmatic approach to translating ambition into deployment, and an evidence-based regulatory framework that evolves alongside market growth. That is exactly what this investment makes possible.”
Dave Jones, Co-founder of Ember, said:”Most of the world’s energy demand growth is occurring in emerging economies, and it is increasingly being met through electricity. Solar, paired with batteries and wind, is now the cheapest way to provide dispatchable, around-the-clock electricity in most countries. What continues to slow deployment are structural barriers, including the lack of high-quality data and analysis to inform policy decisions. This investment will provide industries, governments, and investors with the information, metrics, and forecasting they need to unlock the full potential of clean energy.”
Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment Coordination, said:”Across emerging economies, renewable energy is being held back not by economics but by market structures designed for a different era. Through this investment, Bloomberg Philanthropies is helping to close the gap between clean energy potential and practical implementation by tackling these systemic challenges head-on.”
Rachel Kyte, UK Special Representative for Climate, said:”In too many markets, renewable energy industries are still playing catch-up against incumbent sectors that have spent decades shaping the rules governing energy markets. What this moment calls for is exactly what this investment delivers: the capacity, expertise, and institutional strength for clean energy industries to compete on their own terms. We know what works when those conditions are in place. The question is how we can help one another achieve that quickly enough.”
Dr Rethabile Melamu, CEO of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association, said: “In South Africa, eight of our 10 gigawatts of solar capacity have been installed in just the past three to four years. That pace of deployment leaves little time to build all the supporting infrastructure simultaneously. We’ve learned that the industry’s ability to contribute expertise to grid planning and regulatory processes is not a luxury—it is essential. Without it, projects are delayed, energy security is compromised, and economic growth is constrained. Strengthening that capacity, both in South Africa and across the continent, is exactly the kind of targeted intervention needed to move deployment from the starting line to scale.”
Ali Mohamed, Special Envoy for Climate Change, Government of Kenya, said:”Across Africa, the potential for renewable energy is enormous. What has held back deployment is not a lack of ambition or natural resources. It is the gap between that potential and the capacity to translate it into investment, projects, and electricity on the grid. Long-term offtake agreements that de-risk investment, together with innovative financing solutions, can bridge that gap. That is precisely what developing economies need today, and it will determine whether the energy transition delivers for the people who need it most.”
Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO of the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), said:”The pace of India’s solar deployment is among the fastest in the world. As India enters the next phase of its energy transition, it is imperative to build on this strong foundation by accelerating grid integration, expanding energy storage, and unlocking next-generation market mechanisms. This investment provides support precisely where there is the greatest opportunity to accelerate progress.”
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, said:”Clean energy is no longer only a question of ambition. It is also a question of energy security and social fairness. The case for accelerating the transition has never been stronger. In Europe, we have seen what happens when strong institutions and robust legal frameworks are in place: deployment accelerates. Helping emerging economies build that same capacity is the most direct path to a cleaner, more affordable, and more secure global energy system.”
Dr Rodrigo Sauaia, Co-founder and CEO of the Brazilian Solar Photovoltaic Energy Association (ABSOLAR) and Co-founder and Chair of the Global Solar Council (GSC), said: “Solar energy accounted for more than 75% of all new renewable generation capacity installed worldwide in 2025. It is the most affordable, widely accessible, and versatile clean energy technology available today. However, sustaining that momentum requires more than competitive costs. It requires strong solar and energy storage associations with the capacity to engage regulators, improve market design, and ensure policy frameworks keep pace with deployment. This investment is significant because it directly addresses those needs.”
Suzanty Sitorus, Executive Director of ViriyaENB, said:”Indonesia’s energy choices today will shape not only its own future but also the trajectory of Southeast Asia’s energy transition. The President’s ambition to deploy 100 gigawatts of solar power reflects the scale of that opportunity. Realising it requires strong institutions, effective planning, and the capacity to deliver projects that provide affordable, reliable, and inclusive benefits to communities across the country. Support for these enabling conditions is often less visible than the construction of power plants, but it is what ultimately turns ambition into megawatts.”
Prof. Yassierli, Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, said:”The true engine of the energy transition is people, which is why a successful transition must place human readiness at its core. President Prabowo Subianto has made human capital development and productivity central to Indonesia’s national transformation, taking concrete steps to build a future-ready workforce for the opportunities ahead. At the Ministry of Manpower, we are advancing this agenda by developing Indonesia’s Green Jobs Outlook, strengthening green competency standards, and modernising vocational training curricula with green skills. Indonesia’s energy transition must strengthen national resilience, create quality jobs, and drive shared prosperity. Above all, it must be a just transition, guided by the principle of leaving no one behind.”
Today’s announcement builds on more than a decade of work by Mike Bloomberg to accelerate the global transition to cleaner energy systems. Bloomberg Philanthropies first supported the Beyond Coal campaign in the United States in 2011 before expanding its efforts internationally in 2017.
Since then, Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported initiatives have helped drive the global shift from coal to clean energy, contributing to the cancellation of nearly 450 coal-fired power plants across four continents, including more than 60% of Europe’s planned coal plants. Together with partners worldwide, Bloomberg Philanthropies has also helped create the conditions for deploying more than 1,100GW of clean energy capacity—enough to power approximately 300 million homes.
Building on more than a decade of climate and energy leadership, this new commitment aims to ensure that the countries driving future electricity demand have the institutional capacity, technical expertise, and investment needed to build cleaner, more affordable, and more secure energy systems.
Nigeria’s Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared force majeure on the Oworonshoki 132/33kV and Lekki 330/132kV transmission substations in Lagos State after floodwaters submerged critical electricity infrastructure.
The company said the declaration became necessary following continuous rainfall that inundated the substations, significantly disrupting operations.
TCN disclosed that while the Lekki 330/132kV transmission substation remains operational, thanks to emergency crews continuously pumping water out of the facility, the Oworonshoki 132/33kV transmission substation has been forced out of service after floodwaters submerged critical electrical equipment.
According to the company, two power transformers at the Oworonshoki facility—TR1 (60MVA) and TR3 (30MVA)—tripped under no-load conditions and could not be restored despite repeated efforts by engineers.
TCN further revealed that all protection and control cables connected to the affected transformers had been completely submerged, making restoration impossible until the floodwaters are successfully evacuated.
“Presently, all power protection and control cables of the two power transformers are submerged in water, and efforts to evacuate the water have proved ineffective as the rain continues to fall,” the company said in a statement issued by its General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah.
The company said its engineers are working around the clock to drain the flooded substation and will conduct integrity tests on the transformers once the water level subsides.
The outage is expected to affect electricity supply to numerous customers of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), whose feeders receive bulk power from the affected transmission facility.
Although the Lekki transmission substation remains operational, TCN warned that continued rainfall could create additional operational challenges unless weather conditions improve.
The latest disruption adds to the growing impact of persistent rainfall that has battered Lagos over the past two weeks, leaving several roads and communities flooded while disrupting transportation, commercial activities, and other essential services.
The declaration of force majeure underscores the vulnerability of critical national infrastructure to extreme weather events. Industry experts have warned that flooding poses increasing risks to electricity transmission facilities in coastal cities such as Lagos.
TCN apologised to affected consumers for the disruption and assured them that every available resource had been deployed to restore the Oworonshoki transmission substation as soon as conditions permit.
“We regret any inconvenience this may cause Eko DisCo’s customers receiving power from the substation,” the company added.
Vivo Energy has announced the completion of its acquisition of 100% of the shares in TotalEnergies Marketing Jordan, including its network of approximately 180 service stations, as well as its commercial fuels and lubricants operations.
The company disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Vivo Energy is a leading African energy distribution company, operating approximately 4,200 service stations across 29 markets.
The acquisition marks Vivo Energy’s expansion beyond Africa and introduces the Engen brand to Jordan.
Now present in 13 of Vivo Energy’s markets, Engen is the company’s owned retail brand, renowned for its quality and customer service. It is also South Africa’s leading fuel brand, where more than 1,000 Engen service stations sell one in every four litres of fuel consumed in the country.
Over the coming months, the Engen brand will replace TotalEnergies branding across service stations in Jordan.
Commenting on the acquisition, Stan Mittelman, Chief Executive Officer of Vivo Energy Group, said: “This is an important milestone for Vivo Energy as we expand beyond Africa into Jordan—a market with strong fundamentals and a team we have great respect for. Vivo Energy, and our retail brand Engen, are built on African values of customer service and community, which we believe have a compelling story to tell in Jordan. We look forward to supporting the market’s continued growth.”
The newly appointed Managing Director of Vivo Energy Jordan, Adel Saadallah, also welcomed the development, saying: “I am genuinely proud to be appointed to lead Vivo Energy’s business in Jordan as we expand into this new market. I have been part of Vivo Energy since the company was founded and have seen first-hand how our model creates businesses that stand the test of time.”
According to the company, Vivo Energy’s success is built on empowered local management teams that effectively serve customers and stakeholders—a model it intends to replicate in Jordan.
Saadallah added: “Today’s announcement represents a change in ownership, but our employees, dealer contracts and customer relationships will continue uninterrupted. My priority is to work alongside the existing team, build on what is already working well and ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for everyone.
“We recognise that 2026 is a year of national pride for Jordan, marking the Kingdom’s 80th Independence Day anniversary and the national football team’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. We will reflect this pride in our programmes by putting Jordan and Jordanians first.”
The Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET) has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors for the development of its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at the Port of Richards Bay.
Qualified bidders are required to submit their applications in person by 17:00 (SAST) on 9 July 2026 or electronically via [email protected].
The EOI provides qualified EPC contractors that meet the specified minimum requirements with an opportunity to participate in the delivery of this large-scale strategic energy infrastructure project.
The proposed terminal is intended to serve as South Africa’s primary gateway for LNG, supporting a reliable energy supply and the diversification of the country’s energy infrastructure.
The EOI marks the first phase of a structured and transparent contractor selection process, which will progress through a Request for Information (RFI) and ultimately a Request for Proposal (RFP). The process is designed to assess contractor capabilities while promoting fair, competitive, and transparent participation.
The EPC contract will be executed in line with ZET’s localisation and economic development objectives.
Successful contractors will be expected to promote local supplier participation, support skills development, and maximise the use of local labour.
Qualifying applicants will be included in the project’s vendor database and may be shortlisted for subsequent phases as potential preferred contractors or subcontractors.
Interested contractors are invited to access the full EOI documentation.
Developed as a joint venture between Vopak Terminal Durban and Transnet Pipelines, the Zululand Energy Terminal project is expected to become South Africa’s first LNG import facility. The consortium will design, develop, construct, finance, operate, and maintain the terminal in the South Dunes Precinct at the Port of Richards Bay under a 25-year concession agreement.
The facility will enable the importation of LNG and support the development of associated gas infrastructure to supply both industrial users and power generation facilities.
“The integrity of petroleum products must be maintained for the benefit of consumers and the industry as a whole,” Konu said.
The workshop, organised by the NPA’s Business Development Directorate, brought together fuel dealers and bulk road vehicle drivers to discuss regulatory requirements, operational challenges and measures to improve compliance across the petroleum value chain.
Konu said the downstream petroleum industry makes a significant contribution to Ghana’s economy and that continued stakeholder engagement was necessary to reinforce regulatory standards.
He also advised fuel dealers to regularly monitor water levels in underground storage tanks following recent heavy rains to prevent contaminated fuel from reaching consumers.
NPA Head of Security and Intelligence Isaac Djagbetey urged petroleum service providers to source products only from authorised depots and warned against supplying fuel to illegal mining operations, locally known as galamsey.
Richard Apaloo, a senior manager with the NPA’s Inspections, Monitoring and HSSE Directorate, called on fuel dealers to keep valid regulatory documents available for inspection.
Meanwhile, Nana Afua Nuamah Bosumtwi, Head of Claims at the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), cautioned tanker drivers against tampering with vehicle tracking systems and encouraged timely submission of transport documentation to facilitate claims processing.
Adams Baba Adams of the NPA’s Quality Assurance Directorate urged dealers to ensure fuel quality standards were maintained to protect consumers and prevent vehicle damage.
The regulator also encouraged consumers to report cases of suspected fuel under-delivery or poor product quality within 48 hours to aid investigations.
Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service conducted fire safety training and emergency response drills, while the National Road Safety Authority urged tanker drivers to adopt defensive driving practices and respect other road users to reduce accidents. 
