Kenya Signs KSh 10Billion Solar Power Deal To Electrify 1.2M Homes
Kenya Power and Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) have signed 20 power contracts, funded by the World Bank, to provide electricity access to approximately 1.2 million people.
The KSh10 billion project involves installing 113 solar-powered mini-grids across 12 counties and setting up standalone solar systems in 343 public schools, health facilities, and administrative offices across 13 counties.¹
The agreement was witnessed by President William Ruto, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, and Petroleum Principal Secretary Alex Wachira.
This initiative aligns with Kenya’s goal of achieving universal access to electricity by 2030, with a focus on expanding rural access.
Speaking during the signing of the contract dubbed Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) at Statehouse Nairobi, on Wednesday, February 19, Ruto said the over KSh 10 billion deal will extend electricity to communities that have remained on the fringes of development for far too long.
“Today we witness the signing of 14 contracts which will establish 113 mini-grids, bringing electricity to the counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, and Narok.
This marks a significant expansion of Kenya’s growing energy revolution,” said Ruto.
Ruto said six out of the 14 contracts will ensure that 343 public health facilities, schools, and administrative offices are connected to electricity through stand-alone solar systems at a cost of KSh 438 million.
The head of state revealed that a further 316 solar water pumps for boreholes, worth KSh1.6 billion, are in the final stages of procurement, ensuring that electricity not only lights homes but also powers essential services.
“This is more than just a contract signing; it is a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to inclusive development. It sends a clear message that no Kenyan, regardless of location or background, will be left behind in our nation’s progress,” he said.
According to the head of state, Kenya’s access to electricity increased from 29% in 2013 to 75% in 2025, becoming one of the leading nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The country connected 1.2 million customers to Kenya Power through the Last Mile Connectivity Programme, with another 460,000 set to benefit by 2026.
“Through REREC, we have connected 63,000 out of 93,000 identified public facilities, including 22,900 public primary schools.
1,071 public facility projects completed in the 2023/24 financial year and another 1,450 currently underway in the 2024/25 financial year.,” the president added.
Meanwhile, Kenya Power report indicated that electricity demand hit a record high of 2,316 megawatts (MW) in February 2025, up from 2,304 MW registered in January 2025.
The utility firm said electricity consumption has been gradually increasing over the past three years, with the growth rate gaining momentum in 2024.
KPLC revealed the major drivers of the demand growth were investments in stabilising the national grid and building important projects such as the Kimuka 220/66kV substation.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: Zesco Limited Signs Solar PPAs To Generate 332MW
Zambia’s power utility company, Zesco Limited, has signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with 29 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to generate 332 megawatts of solar power.
This move is expected to boost the country’s energy self-sufficiency and electricity security.
According to Energy Minister Makozo Chikote, these contracts mark a significant step toward achieving energy self-sufficiency, electricity security, and economic growth. The goal is to expand electricity access from 53.6% to 100% by 2030, adding 3.2 million new connections across the country.
The solar initiative will also diversify Zambia’s electricity generation mix, increasing the share of non-hydro renewable energy from 3% to 33% by 2030. This will enhance grid stability and reduce climate vulnerability.
Zesco Limited’s Managing Director, Justine Loongo, expects construction to commence within two months, with project commissioning anticipated by the end of this year.
The Micro Generation Power Plants Developers include the University of Zambia, Techmasters Zambia, and Big Vision Investments, among others.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Ashanti Region Set To Become Electricity Generation Hub As ECG Visits Generation Plants In The Region
The Electricity Company of Ghana, led by Mr Ebenezer Baiden, Director of New Business and Risk Management, has visited the generation site at Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region.
Anwomaso, aside from housing the second Bulk Supply Point (BSP) in Kumasi, is now the hub of electricity generation in the middle belt of Ghana with over three different plants under construction and a gas supply company.
Mr Baiden and the ECG delegation visited Genser, Aksa Energy, CENIT Energy and the KITPP, formerly known as AMERI.
The visit formed part of efforts by the nation’s largest power distribution company to familiarise themselves with the operations of upstream players to understand and monitor their activities.
Aksa Energy is expected to complete phase one of its project in May and Phase Two by the end of 2025.
The project would see Aksa generate 205MW to the national grid.
CENIT Energy, on its part, is expected to generate 330MW with 110MW available by 3rd Quarter as phase one.
VRA is currently running six units of the K1TPP with a capacity between 138-145MW.
The second phase of relocating the Ameri plant from the Western Region to Kumasi is expected to be completed by July 2025. The remaining four units are already on site.
Genser, as the gas supply company, is expected to provide gas for all these plants once completed.
Addressing the generation companies, Mr Ebenezer Baiden admonished the companies to strictly adhere to the local content law and ensure gender balance in employment.
“ECG, as a company, promotes gender equality through the Gender and Social inclusion policy so kindly ensure you try as much as possible to recruit from the Region and also consider women during employment to enable indigenes benefit directly from this project.”
Briefing the media, Mr Benjamin Obeng Antwi, the ECG Public Relations Office for Ashanti West Region, indicated that this project is a step in the right direction to improve power supply in the Region and the country.
“Currently most of our generation plants are in Tema and Western Region so having a generation site in the middle belt to boost power supply from the middle belt to the northern sector is a step in the right direction.”
Mr Antwi further indicated that the completion of these projects to make Ashanti Region a generation hub in the middle belt would help reduce transmission losses and also improve voltage profile in Ashanti Region.
“Once power will be generated at Anwomaso in Ashanti Region and our cherished customers will be closer to the source, the Voltage profile will improve and transmission losses will also reduce since power will not be transmitted from Tema or Western Region to Kumasi,” he said.
In attendance were Ing Mark Wiafe (GM/Ashanti East), Ing Asare Mensah (GM/Ashanti South), Ing George Amoah (GM/Ashanti West) and Ing. Peter Kofi Fletcher (GM/Ashanti Sub-T)
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
“Once power will be generated at Anwomaso in Ashanti Region and our cherished customers will be closer to the source, the Voltage profile will improve and transmission losses will also reduce since power will not be transmitted from Tema or Western Region to Kumasi,” he said.
In attendance were Ing Mark Wiafe (GM/Ashanti East), Ing Asare Mensah (GM/Ashanti South), Ing George Amoah (GM/Ashanti West) and Ing. Peter Kofi Fletcher (GM/Ashanti Sub-T)
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: NPA To Spearhead Deployment Of Automated Dispensers To Aid 24-Hour Economy Policy
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), says it is exploring various aspects of the downstream petroleum value chain, alongside a comprehensive implementation plan, to facilitate the rollout of the governing party’s campaign promise of running a 24-hour economy.
In Ghana, most businesses operate in the day, with only few manufacturing companies operating at night.
Due to minimal activities at night, most fuel retail outlets also close between 7 pm and 8 pm to avoid robbery and other crime related activities.
In a bid to expand the West African nation’s economy and also boost job creation for the teaming youth, the ruling government wants to introduce a 24-hour economy policy to incentivise some businesses to operate both day and night shifts.
This would require that some fuel retail outlets operate at night in order to ensure availability of fuel to keep the transportation sector also functioning.
Speaking at the maiden Petroleum Downstream Dialogue 2025 in Accra, the capital of Ghana, the Chief Executive Officer of NPA, Mr Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., mentioned that the initial phase of the implementation of the 24-hour economy in the petroleum downstream sector might include the deployment of automated dispensers at selected petroleum retail outlets, as well as the implementation of measures to ensure the continuous operation of bulk storage facilities and depots, among other initiatives.
The two-day petroleum downstream dialogue was held on the theme; ‘Ghana’s Downstream Oil and Gas Sector: Challenges and Opportunities’.
The platform was for the stakeholders in the petroleum downstream sector to discuss pertinent issues, share insights and develop actionable strategies for the growth and sustainability of the industry.
The theme for discussion on day one included: ‘Downtown Petroleum Sector, Local Content and Participation’, ‘Navigating the Energy Transition in the Downstream Petroleum Sector: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Roadmap to Sustainability’ and ‘Policy Development and Regulatory Reforms’.
Mr Tameklo Esq. said the NPA envisioned a downstream sector that is innovative, efficient and sustainable.
“Since assuming office, I have emphasised the importance of affordability, quality and reliability in the supply of petroleum products to Ghanaians.
“Our commitment is to ensure fair pricing and strict adherence to industry standards, in alignment with the vision of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, to reset and transform the sector while also rolling out 24-hour economy solutions,” he said.
The NPA Boss called for robust collaboration with industry players, sister government agencies and international partners to achieve the goals set in the industry.
“We must strive to reaffirm our commitment to excellence, transparency and innovation. Together, we can overcome challenges and seize opportunities to ensure that Ghana’s petroleum downstream industry remains an efficient and significant contributor to our nation’s prosperity,” he said.
Mr Tameklo Esq. said since the inception of the NPA about twenty years ago, the industry had evolved significantly.
He said a solid foundation had been laid through the establishment of regulatory frameworks for pricing, supply, quality and the development of infrastructure among others.
“Ghana’s petroleum downstream plays a pivotal role in providing assurance for our nation’s energy security while driving economic growth,” he said.
The NPA Chief Executive said while achieving a lot, the impact of some policies had brought about some negative externalities such as illegal imports, credit opacity, distribution inefficiencies and some infrastructure glut amongst many others.
Besides, he said the industry was also evolving to accommodate the global call for climate change mitigation plans as well as the impending risk of stranding of fossil fuel assets.
Mr Tameklo Esq., therefore, called for a balance between providing energy security (product availability, accessibility and affordability) to Ghanaian consumers as well as ensuring that the industry adapts efficiently to energy transition happenings around the world.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Petrol, Diesel Prices Fall Marginally
Some Oil Marketing Companies in the Republic of Ghana have adjusted their pump prices downward for both petrol and diesel for the second pricing window of February, which runs from the 16th to the 28th of February 2025.
Petrol (gasoline) price has been reduced by about 34 pesewas while diesel witnessed a reduction of about 21 pesewas.
During the first pricing window, petrol was sold between Gh¢16.23 and Gh¢15.15 per litre, while diesel was sold between Gh¢16.20 and Gh¢15.15.
However, on Tuesday, some oil marketing companies adjusted their prices for the second pricing window, with petrol selling between Gh¢15.89 and Gh¢ 15.15 while diesel is selling between Gh¢15.99 and Gh¢15.15 per litre.
The reduction in fuel prices is attributable to a reduction in prices of refined petroleum products on the international market.
Despite the decline in the price of refined petroleum products on the world market, the local currency cedi, which is one of the key determinants of fuel prices, has continued to depreciate against major international currencies, especially the United States dollar.
As of 14th February 2025, the average interbank exchange rate for a US dollar was Gh¢15.5078.
In other parts of Africa, fuel prices are reviewed monthly.
In Ghana, the review period has been revised from every two weeks to daily adjustments by Oil Marketing Companies, based on fluctuations in key factors such as exchange rates, refined petroleum product costs and inflation.
GOIL is selling petrol (Ron 91) at Gh¢15.65 per litre while petrol (Ron 95) is sold at Gh¢15.76, with diesel being sold at Gh¢15.79 per litre.
Shell is selling petrol at Gh¢15.89 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢15.99 per litre.
TotalEnergies is selling both petrol and diesel at Gh¢15.99 per litre.
Star Oil is selling petrol (Ron 91) at Gh¢15.27 per litre while petrol (Ron 95) is sold at Gh¢15.57, with diesel being sold at Gh¢15.27 per litre.
Allied is selling both petrol and diesel at Gh¢15.10 per litre.
Benab is selling both petrol and diesel at Gh¢15.15 per litre.
Goodness is selling both petrol and diesel at Gh¢15.10 per litre.
Puma is selling petrol at Gh¢15.40 while diesel is sold at Gh¢15.56 per litre.
Engen is selling both petrol and diesel at Gh¢15.99 per litre.
Petrosol is selling petrol at Gh¢15.64 and diesel at Gh¢15.89 per litre.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Egypt Strengthens Partnership With Baker Hughes To Boost Oil And Gas Sector
Egyptian Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Eng Karim Badawi, has held a bilateral meeting with Lorenzo Simonelli, the CEO of Baker Hughes International Company, on the sidelines of the Egypt International Energy Conference 2025.
The meeting aimed to review Baker Hughes’ projects and plans for business development in Egypt’s oil and gas sector.
During the session, the participants discussed cooperation in various areas, including production from new fields, exploration, energy transformation projects, emissions reduction and geothermal energy.
The Ministry’s efforts to maintain a sustainable supply of fuel and natural gas to the local market were also highlighted.
Mr Simonelli expressed his appreciation for the successful partnership with the Egyptian oil sector, citing the crucial role of the Egypt Digital Portal in providing outstanding investment opportunities.
He also announced Baker Hughes’ plans to cooperate with private sector partners in thermal energy projects in the Gulf of Suez, Sinai and Eastern Desert regions.
The meeting demonstrates Egypt’s commitment to strengthening its oil and gas sector through international partnerships and digital transformation.
With the Egypt Digital Portal playing a vital role in attracting investments, Egypt is poised to become a regional hub for energy production and export.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Brazil Joins OPEC+
Brazil has joined OPEC+ two years after the group extended an invitation, but its membership will not be binding with regard to production cuts, the country’s energy minister said.
At the announcement of the Brazilian government’s decision to join the group, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira described OPEC as “a forum for discussing strategies among oil-producing countries. We should not be ashamed of being oil producers. Brazil needs to grow, develop and create income and jobs,” the AP reported.
Brazil is already one of the biggest oil producers in the world but it has ambitions to climb in the ranks to the number-four spot from number seven, with a production target of 5.4 million barrels daily for 2030.
Brazil has also been a focal point for non-OPEC production forecasts, regularly named alongside the United States, Canada, and Guyana as a hotspot for non-cartel production growth. Now, this will change even though the new OPEC+ member is under no obligation to comply with the OPEC+ production cuts.
OPEC’s production, meanwhile, has been declining. The group booked dips for both December and January, with the January rate down by 50,000 bpd from December’s daily average of 26.53 million barrels, according to a Reuters survey.
Supply from Iran and Nigeria dropped by 60,000 bpd each, the most among OPEC producers, according to the survey.
The oil producer group was scheduled to start relaxing these production cuts starting in April but there have been reports that the rollback of the output caps could be delayed once again, in line with OPEC’s prioritization of actual market conditions rather than an agenda set in stone.
With oil prices wobbly amid U.S.-Russia negotiations that could lead to the lifting of U.S. sanctions, OPEC will likely not be in any rush to stick to its plans for boosting production, seeing as these plans are very flexible to serve the purposes of the group.
Source: Oilprice.com
Ghana: Alex Mould Named New CEO Of MiDA
A former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Alex Kofi Mould has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Development Authority (MiDA).
Mould who is a seasoned finance and energy expert with over three decades of experience in finance, energy, and governance, assumed his new role today.
With a proven track record of excellence in both the private and public sectors, Mould brings a wealth of expertise to MiDA.
During his inaugural address, he emphasized his collaborative leadership style, acknowledging the experience within the organization. “I am, first and foremost, a people person,” Mould stated, expressing his readiness to learn from the existing team.
“I will be relying heavily on your expertise and institutional knowledge to bring me up to speed so we can collectively deliver the results expected from this important institution.”
At MiDA, he is expected to bring a fresh perspective on aligning the institution’s objectives with the government’s development priorities.
Hence, a key focus of Mould’s vision at MiDA, involves strengthening the organization’s alignment with government’s initiatives, particularly the proposed 24-hour economy program.
He outlined plans to engage in substantive discussions with government stakeholders to identify opportunities for MiDA to take on a more prominent role in the nation’s development agenda.
He highlighted the immediate priority of meaningful conversations with government officials to explore effectively integrating programmes that will support the 24-hour economy initiative. As well as the importance of synchronization between MiDA’s activities and the government’s broader growth agenda, stressing that “MiDA needs to be in perfect sync with the government’s vision.”
Emphasizing the importance of cross-ministerial collaboration, he stated that MiDA would actively work with various ministries to identify and potentially assume management of strategic projects, to, ensure effective project management and implementation, delivering tangible results for Ghana.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Mould articulated an ambitious vision for his tenure at MiDA.
He expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the opportunity, entrusting him to transform MiDA into a world-class Project Implementation Organization, to deliver his government’s flagship projects in support of the 24Hr Economy agendum.
“The legacy I want to leave,” he shared “is to establish MiDA as the government of Ghana’s go-to project implementation unit.”
The appointment of Alex Mould marks a new chapter for MiDA, with a renewed focus on alignment with national development goals and efficient project implementation. His emphasis on collaborative leadership and strategic alignment with government initiatives suggests a potentially transformative period ahead for the organization, as a key player in achieving the government’s broader growth agenda.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
He highlighted the immediate priority of meaningful conversations with government officials to explore effectively integrating programmes that will support the 24-hour economy initiative. As well as the importance of synchronization between MiDA’s activities and the government’s broader growth agenda, stressing that “MiDA needs to be in perfect sync with the government’s vision.”
Emphasizing the importance of cross-ministerial collaboration, he stated that MiDA would actively work with various ministries to identify and potentially assume management of strategic projects, to, ensure effective project management and implementation, delivering tangible results for Ghana.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Mould articulated an ambitious vision for his tenure at MiDA.
He expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the opportunity, entrusting him to transform MiDA into a world-class Project Implementation Organization, to deliver his government’s flagship projects in support of the 24Hr Economy agendum.
“The legacy I want to leave,” he shared “is to establish MiDA as the government of Ghana’s go-to project implementation unit.”
The appointment of Alex Mould marks a new chapter for MiDA, with a renewed focus on alignment with national development goals and efficient project implementation. His emphasis on collaborative leadership and strategic alignment with government initiatives suggests a potentially transformative period ahead for the organization, as a key player in achieving the government’s broader growth agenda.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: Energy Minister Hints At Comprehensive Review Of Petroleum Downstream Sector Regulations
Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition John Abdulai Jinapor has disclosed that the country is planning a comprehensive review of its petroleum downstream to make the sector more viable, efficient and sustainable.
According to him, a working committee will soon be put in place to consult sector agencies and petroleum service providers to improve service delivery in the petroleum downstream sector.
“These consultations will consider and deliberate on key interventions such as the promulgation of a downstream law, a review of the margins, taxes and levies in the Price Build Up (PBU) of petroleum products, diversification of petroleum products supply sources, implementation of a cost-reflective tariff framework, development of a low carbon fuel market scheme, modernisation of the state-owned refinery through strategic partnership, to mention but a few,” the Minister explained.
Continuing, he said, “I strongly believe that with co-operation and full support from industry, such interventions will result in improved fuel security, improved financial performance and regulatory oversight of the sector, an effective and efficient distribution system, penetration of low carbon fuels in the downstream market and affordable and stabilised fuel prices.”
Speaking at the maiden Downstream Dialogue 2025 organised by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), formerly AOMC, Minister Jinapor noted that although the downstream sector is plagued with challenges, it presents a myriad of opportunities that we can capitalise on.
He mentioned that the increasing demand for petroleum products and the dynamic nature of the petroleum downstream sector open an avenue for infrastructural development and expansion, adoption of new and innovative technologies, increased Ghanaian content and Ghanaian participation, and increased petroleum products supply.
He added that the need for reforms also presents an opportunity for public-private partnerships to execute critical sector development projects and programmes.
As the world pivots towards cleaner energy sources, the Minister said “there is a pressing need to diversify our energy mix.”
“We have the opportunity to blend our oil and gas development with investments in renewable energy,” he said.
He indicated that there were discussions on the introduction of biofuel blends in our petroleum products mix with the intention of reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector that ensued last year.
The Minister, who commended the organisers of the Downstream Dialogue, said his outfit was committed to creating an enabling environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and ensures that the benefits of our resources are equitably distributed.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
He mentioned that the increasing demand for petroleum products and the dynamic nature of the petroleum downstream sector open an avenue for infrastructural development and expansion, adoption of new and innovative technologies, increased Ghanaian content and Ghanaian participation, and increased petroleum products supply.
He added that the need for reforms also presents an opportunity for public-private partnerships to execute critical sector development projects and programmes.
As the world pivots towards cleaner energy sources, the Minister said “there is a pressing need to diversify our energy mix.”
“We have the opportunity to blend our oil and gas development with investments in renewable energy,” he said.
He indicated that there were discussions on the introduction of biofuel blends in our petroleum products mix with the intention of reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector that ensued last year.
The Minister, who commended the organisers of the Downstream Dialogue, said his outfit was committed to creating an enabling environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and ensures that the benefits of our resources are equitably distributed.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: Eunice Biritwum Appointed New Executive Secretary Of Energy Commission
Ghana’s technical regulator for electricity and natural gas, Energy Commission, has announced the appointment of Mrs. Eunice A. Biritwum as new Executive Secretary of the Commission effective 05 February, 2025.
She takes over from Ing. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer who held the position from September 2019 until 04 February, 2025.
Mrs. Biritwum is a Power Utility Professional with 33 years of experience in the energy industry.
Having worked with various companies in Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Sierra Leone and the Gambia, her expertise spans independent power generation, renewable energy integration, project development and implementation, contracts negotiation, project management, integrated utility and independent power production (IPP) operations management and governance.
She is equally competent in policy development, integrated power systems planning, and non-generation services such as energy efficiency, and transmission infrastructure development.
Her experiences have led her to develop skills in new business start-ups, organizational set-up and restructuring, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), global marketing management, power trading and wholesale energy markets transactions administration.
Additionally, she is an advocate for gender inclusion in business and the energy sector.
Prior to her appointment, Eunice was an Associate Director at Deloitte & Touche (“Deloitte”) focused on developing the new Energy Consulting Business for the firm, after completing a four + year assignment with Deloitte on the USAID Power Africa West Africa Energy Program as Outcome 1 Lead.
She was the first CEO for CENIT Energy Limited, Ghana, an Independent Power Producing Company (IPP), where together with her experience as Project Director for the Tema Osonor Power Project which became CENIT, she gained expertise in the development and negotiation of power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the project financing of energy infrastructure projects.
Her interests in regional integration within the energy sector and the benefits power pool led to the appointment of CENIT Energy to the Board of the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) in 2017, the first for an Independent Power Producing Company.
Mrs. Biritwum was a member of the Energy Commission’s Technical Committee for electricity between 2013 and 2015, and again from 2019 to 2024.
The Energy Commission invites its staff, partners and stakeholders to accord Mrs. Biritwum the necessary courtesies to make her tenure a successful one
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Egypt, Cyprus Seal Historic Gas Deal
Egypt and Cyprus have signed two groundbreaking agreements to develop Cypriot natural gas discoveries using Egyptian infrastructure.
This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the region’s energy landscape, bolstering cooperation between Egypt and Cyprus.
The agreements, signed on the sidelines of the Egypt International Energy Conference EGYPS 2025, are a crucial step towards Egypt’s vision of becoming a regional hub for natural gas trade and transportation.
The two agreement were witnessed by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and Nikos Christodolidis of Cyprus.
By leveraging Egyptian facilities, Cyprus can now tap into the global market, with Egypt poised to receive, process, and re-export Cypriot gas to Europe.
The first agreement was inked by Engineer Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr. George Papanastasio, Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, and Engineer Claudio Descalzi, President of Eni Italian Company.
The second agreement was signed by the same ministers, along with Mr. Clay Neff, President of Chevron Global Company for exploration and production activities.
This historic deal is expected to accelerate the development of Cypriot gas fields, including the “Kronos” and “Aphrodite” fields, which will be linked to Egyptian facilities.
As negotiations continue to bring more Cypriot gas to Egypt, this partnership is set to reshape the region’s energy dynamics, fostering greater cooperation and economic growth.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s Downstream Petroleum Sector Stakeholders Gather For Maiden Dialogue
Ghanaian players in the petroleum downstream sector on Tuesday convened at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra, the capital of Ghana, to discuss key issues and map out a sustainable future for the industry.
The two-day Petroleum Downstream Dialogue 2025, organised by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), began on Tuesday 18 and would end on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
The event featured the new Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, as the Special Guest, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo Esq., Chief Executive Officer of Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Executive Director of Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director of Institute for Energy Security (IES), Nana Amoasi (VII), and several captains of the oil and gas industry.
Tuesday’s discussions focused on policy development and regulatory reforms, local content and participation in the downstream petroleum sector, and energy transition in the sector.
In his welcome address, Gabriel Kumi, the Managing Director of Pacific Oil and Chairman of COMAC, noted that the downstream industry faces numerous challenges, including regulatory bottlenecks, restrictive policies and operational hurdles, as well as global price volatility, infrastructural gaps and financial constraints.
However, he emphasised that these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, collaboration and strategic frameworks that can transform the downstream sector.
Through interactive panel discussions and networking sessions, the dialogue aimed to explore actionable strategies for overcoming these challenges and unlocking new avenues for growth and sustainable development.
Mr Kumi expressed his gratitude to the distinguished guests, including the Minister for Energy and Green Transition and the CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) for their presence and commitment to collaboration and support for the industry
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com Kenya: Electricity Demand Hits Record High Of 2,316 MW
Kenya Power has announced that the country’s electricity consumption has reached a new record high, with a peak demand of 2,316 MW recorded on February 12, 2025. This surpasses the previous peak of 2,304 MW recorded on January 15, 2025.
Statistics from Kenya Power’s National Control Centre shows that peak electricity demand has been steadily growing over the last 3 years with the growth rate gaining momentum in 2024.
Electricity demand exceeded the 2,000 MW threshold towards the end of 2021 and peaked above 2,100 MW in 2022 but remained steadily below 2,200 MW in 2023 before regaining momentum in June 2024.
According to Kenya Power’s Managing Director & CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror, the growth in demand has been driven by investments in stabilizing the National Grid and completing key projects. These include the Kimuka 220/66kV substation and the 33kV double circuit interconnector between Narok and Bomet.
“The investment in upgrading transmission lines by Kenya Power and KETRACO has resulted in a more stable grid,” said Dr. Siror.
“In the last six months, we also connected over 198,535 new customers to the national grid.”
Kenya Power expects steady growth in electricity demand in the short and medium term, driven by grid reinforcement and connectivity projects.
The company is implementing the donor-funded Last Mile Phases IV and V, which will connect a total of 289,121 new customers to the national grid.
To drive electricity demand and promote environmental conservation, Kenya Power is championing the uptake of e-cooking and electric motorization.
The company has set up four E-cooking hubs and is working with various players to drive the adoption of E-cooking in institutions.
Dr. Siror emphasized the need to increase electricity generation to meet growing demand and improve spinning reserves.
“To meet the growing electricity demand, the focus should now shift toward increasing the country’s electricity generation. This will improve spinning reserves to the standard 15% level to cater for contingency scenarios that have increased in recent years,” said Dr. (Eng.) Siror.
Source: https//energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: TCN Debunks False Reports Of National Grid Collapses
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has dismissed reports of two national grid collapses in 2025, labeling them as mischievous and misleading.
According to TCN, these reports emanate from unauthorized sources and do not reflect the actual state of the national grid.
TCN emphasized that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is regulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and governed by industry documents.
These documents grant the National Control Centre System Operator or its designated backup, the National Supplementary Control Centre (SNCC), the exclusive right to provide information to the public about grid events and status.
Regarding a recent incident on February 12, 2025, TCN explained that the Omotosho-Ikeja West 330kV transmission line tripped, causing a cascaded outage that affected Abuja, Lagos, and Osogbo.
However, other parts of the country remained unaffected, and bulk power supply to the affected areas has since been restored.
TCN urged the public and reporters to disregard unfounded information about the national grid and instead rely on official statements from the TCN’s Public Affairs Department.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com