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LATEST ARTICLES
BP Signs Three Production Sharing Contracts In Indonesia
South Africa: Eskom Threatens Power Cuts In Johannesburg Over R5.2 Billion Debt
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the utility stated that the City of Johannesburg currently owes arrears amounting to R5.25 billion (equivalent of 315,744,000)
An additional R1.58 billion is scheduled for payment on Friday, June 5, 2026, according to the Eskom Gauteng Cluster.
Eskom alleged that the municipality has repeatedly failed to honour its Electricity Supply Agreement despite more than two years of engagement.
The utility said it is no longer sustainable to allow the city to collect revenue from residents without transferring the required portion to the national supplier.
According to Eskom, the growing debt burden undermines its efforts to improve its balance sheet and maintain affordable electricity pricing.
The company added in a media statement that its financial sustainability depends on effective revenue collection and reduced expenditure.Eskom also announced on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, that nine other municipalities had moved toward signing Distribution Agency Agreements (DAAs).
These long-term contracts allow Eskom to manage technical and financial aspects of local electricity supply, including revenue collection and the installation of smart meters.
The utility did not specify when the planned interruptions or terminations in Johannesburg would begin.
The move follows a broader national trend of escalating municipal debt, which Eskom says threatens its operational viability.
COP31 President Calls For Faster Electrification, More Climate Finance For Developing Countries
The President-designate of COP31, Murat Kurum, has called for accelerated electrification and increased climate finance for developing countries ahead of the global climate summit in Turkey, scheduled for November 2026.
Addressing the opening session of the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial conference in Denmark on Wednesday, Kurum said electrification had emerged as a key theme during recent climate engagements, including meetings held in Berlin, Paris, Santa Marta and Baku.
According to him, electricity currently accounts for about 20 percent of global final energy consumption, adding that efforts should be intensified to increase its share.
Kurum said this would require both the decarbonisation of electricity generation and the expansion of electrification across sectors.
“We must make the technologies of the future accessible at scale — and we must ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
He said the COP31 presidency would prioritise clean energy, clean cooking, resilient cities and industrial decarbonisation under its action agenda.
Kurum added that the presidency is already collaborating with key institutions, including the International Energy Agency, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the Global Renewables Alliance.
The COP31 president-designate also urged stakeholders to support funding for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
“For billions of people living along the world’s coasts, oceans are not an abstract climate issue. They are a source of food, livelihoods, identity and security,” he said.
Kurum said national climate roadmaps should remain central to the UN climate process through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Biennial Transparency Reports and National Adaptation Plans.
He also highlighted oceans and coastal communities as major priority areas.
On climate finance, Kurum said the COP31 presidency would work to increase funding for developing countries through the Global Implementation Accelerator and recommendations under the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap.
He said COP31 would seek stronger participation from the private sector to mobilise climate finance.
“Concessional and grant-based public finance will be indispensable — especially for developing economies that need to adapt, build resilience and respond to loss and damage,” he said.
Kurum noted that donor countries would be held accountable for commitments made under the $300 billion Baku climate finance goal.
He said efforts would continue to improve access to climate finance and increase funding from UN climate funds threefold by 2030.
Kurum added that the replenishment of the Green Climate Fund this year would be critical.
“Developed countries must also submit their first biennial communications this year, showing how they will deliver their fair share of the Baku Finance Goal,” he added.
“It is easy to say we support global climate action. But promises must be kept.”
UK Eases Sanctions On Russian-Origin Diesel And Jet Fuel As Prices Soar
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The UK temporarily allows imports of diesel and jet fuel processed from Russian-origin crude in third countries to address rising fuel prices and jet fuel shortages.
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The Labour government defends the move as necessary for supply security, while Conservatives criticize it as undermining sanctions and UK energy policy.
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The easing follows similar U.S. waivers on Russian oil sales amid global fuel price spikes, with UK gasoline prices reaching record highs since the Iran war.
The UK government has waived sanctions on imports of diesel and jet fuel processed from Russian-origin crude in third countries, citing spiking fuel prices and concerns over jet fuel supply shortages, according to Oilprice.com.
The easing of a small portion of the UK’s strict sanctions and bans on Russian crude and oil product imports is intended to protect supply security, the Labour government argues.
However, the Conservatives criticized the decision as “insane” and claimed it undermines the sanctions due to domestic political considerations.
This “small, specific, and time-limited” waiver in the UK’s sanctions regime was made to “protect the security of supply for essential foundational goods in our economy, such as jet fuel,” Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson told BBC Breakfast on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, the average UK gasoline price jumped to its highest level since the Iran war began, putting additional pressure on consumers already struggling with high gas and energy costs.
Commenting on the government’s decision to allow imports of diesel and jet fuel produced in third countries from Russian crude, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch posted on social media: “After 18 months of ‘standing up to Putin,’ the Labour government quietly issued a licence allowing imports of Russian oil refined in third countries. Yesterday, Labour MPs voted AGAINST UK oil and gas licences. We are now importing from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea. Insane.”
UK Eases Sanctions On Russian-Origin Diesel And Jet Fuel As Prices Soar
The UK’s move to ease import restrictions on fuels made from Russian-origin crude in third countries comes just days after the U.S. Treasury extended a waiver of Russia-related sanctions, allowing the sale of Russian oil floating at sea for another 30 days until June 17.
The U.S. first issued a waiver in March, permitting Russian crude on tankers to be sold without penalties as oil and fuel prices spiked following the Iran war.
Ghana: Africa Can Solve Its Energy Challenges Using Local Engineers – Dr. Jinapor
Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has challenged Africa to look inward to solve the continent’s energy challenges, stating that the continent is endowed with highly skilled and competent engineers.
He made the remarks at the opening of the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC), held in Accra, Ghana, from Tuesday, May 19, to Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The conference brought together ministers, energy sector professionals, academia, and innovators.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jinapor emphasized that Africans are capable of addressing their own problems instead of relying on expatriates, noting that indigenous solutions are often more cost-effective.
He recounted how Ghanaian engineers successfully restored power supply from the Akosombo Generation Station to the national grid in just a few days after a fire completely destroyed the switchyard that receives and transmits power from the station.
“Recently, we had a major fire incident at our biggest hydro dam. The whole control centre was burnt, and we instantly lost 1,000 MW. If you have a peak demand of 4,500 MW and an installed capacity of 5,000 MW, losing 1,000 MW instantaneously is a huge challenge. For five days, it wasn’t easy for me as Minister for Energy. Despite this, the Ghanaian people demanded a reliable and uninterrupted power supply. Thanks to my engineers, within five days they resolved the issue, and we had reliable power,” the Minister said, illustrating how African engineers can solve their own problems without external support.
Organized by the Africa Energy Technology Centre in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, AETC 2026 is themed “From Borders to Bridges: Driving Intra-African Trade and Development through Energy & Technology Services.”
Touching on the theme, Dr. Jinapor emphasized the need for African nations to collaborate by sharing ideas and leveraging each other’s resources to solve common challenges.
He highlighted Ghana’s energy trade, noting that the country imports gas from Nigeria for power generation and exports some of it to its West African neighbors.
He also mentioned a recent discussion with a delegation from Benin, which requested that Ghana increase power exports to them, reinforcing the importance of regional cooperation.
“We must work together. We take gas from Nigeria—about 100 mmscf/day—to generate power and export some to our neighbors. That is how we build bridges. That is how we move from borders to building bridges,” he stated.
Nigeria: Convicted Former Power Minister Smoked Out Of Hideout To Serve Jail Term
Tanzania: Deputy Energy Minister Urges TANESCO To Strengthen Customer Service Through Digital Systems
- Deputy Minister urges TANESCO to adopt digital systems for better customer service.
- Meeting addresses performance, challenges, and strategic communication.
- Calls for improved benefits to motivate frontline service providers.
Tanzanian Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon. Salome Makamba, has urged Tanzania Electricity Corporation (TANESCO) customer relations and service officers to effectively use digital systems and intelligence to keep pace with technological growth and enhance the efficiency of customer service and communication.
She delivered the advice on Monday, May 18, 2026, during the opening of the five-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) of TANESCO officers at the Lavender Hotel in Dodoma. The AGM aims to assess work performance, identify challenges, discuss strategies to improve customer service, and strengthen strategic communication within the organization for 2026. “We all recognize that technology is the foundation of modern service delivery. Therefore, it is the responsibility of Customer Service Officers to ensure digital systems, including smart intelligence, are used efficiently so that citizens receive quality services and timely information,” Hon. Salome Makamba said. According to her, the government recognizes the sincere efforts being made by TANESCO to improve customer service and strategic communication through the use of social media, WhatsApp groups, and education on the safe use of electricity and clean cooking energy. She also urged TANESCO management to improve incentives for customer service providers to increase their motivation and efficiency, noting that these frontline staff plays a key role in building the organization’s image with customers. “On behalf of the Ministry leadership, I congratulate the service providers for your dedication. I also request the TANESCO CEO to oversee the improvement of their benefits so that they can provide quality and reliable services to customers,” Hon. Makamba added.Kenya: EPRA Cuts Diesel Price By KSh10.06, Hikes Kerosene By KSh38.60 Per Litre After Nationwide Protests
However, the pump price for Super Petrol remains unchanged.
In Nairobi, Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene will now retail at KSh214.25, KSh232.86, and KSh191.38 respectively, effective Tuesday, May 19, 2026, for the next 30 days.
The review follows Monday’s nationwide protests by public service vehicle (PSV) operators against rising fuel costs, which resulted in the deaths of four people, injuries to 30 others, and the arrest of 348 individuals.
In a statement, EPRA said it had received a petition from public transport sector operators requesting measures to minimize the risk of motor fuel adulteration that may arise due to the wide price differential between diesel and kerosene.
Commercial Oil Inventories Depleting Rapidly, With Only Weeks Left, Says IEA Chief
Kenya:Four Killed, 30 Injured, And 348 Arrested During Nationwide Protest Over High Fuel Prices
Ghana: Energy Commission Urges More Women To Join Electrical Wiring Profession
Egypt: TotalEnergies And EGAS Sig MoU For Offshore Exploration
TotalEnergies and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on offshore exploration activities.
The MoU covers a large area located in the northwestern offshore region of Egypt.
The agreement establishes a framework for technical cooperation, including preliminary exploration and subsurface evaluation activities.
“We are pleased to launch this cooperation with EGAS, which reflects our shared ambition to further strengthen our partnership with the Arab Republic of Egypt. This agreement will support the assessment of Egypt’s deep offshore exploration potential,” said Nicola Mavilla, Senior Vice President of Exploration at TotalEnergies.
Zambia: ZESCO, Stanbic Bank, And GreenCo Sign MoU To Advance Renewable Energy Projects Under ZAMWATT Initiative
The signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s journey towards a more sustainable, secure, and diversified energy future.
The partnership represents a major step forward in advancing sustainable energy solutions within Zambia’s energy sector, with a strong focus on strengthening energy security, promoting renewable energy investment, and supporting the country’s long-term development and clean energy transition agenda.
Ghana: Petrol Relief Scrapped, Diesel Support Cut To GH¢1.07 Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Speaking during the signing ceremony at Stanbic’s Head Office, ZESCO Limited Acting Managing Director, Eng. Francis Namakanda, said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to transforming Zambia’s energy sector through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development.
He noted that the partnership will unlock new investment opportunities, accelerate renewable energy deployment, and strengthen infrastructure development across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic Bank Zambia, Mwindwa Siakalima, highlighted that the partnership demonstrates the bank’s continued commitment to financing impactful and sustainable projects that contribute to Zambia’s economic transformation. He added that the ZAMWATT initiative aligns with Stanbic Bank’s vision of driving inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability.
GreenCo Power Services Limited Chief Executive Officer, Wezi Gondwe, said the collaboration marks an important step in advancing market-based renewable energy solutions in Zambia and the wider region. He emphasized GreenCo’s commitment to supporting innovative energy trading systems and facilitating private sector participation in clean energy development.
Representing the Minister of Energy, Director in the Ministry of Energy, Mr. Sivena Kambenja, welcomed the partnership, describing it as a timely intervention aligned with the government’s vision to expand access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, while strengthening collaboration across the energy sector
Kenya: Bonfires, Roadblocks As Fuel Price Hike Sparks Protests
The hike has triggered public concern, with many citizens calling for its withdrawal.
Opiyo Wandayi and other government officials have justified the increment, citing ongoing Middle East tensions as the cause of the fuel price hikes.
Fuel prices are reviewed on the 14th of every month.



