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Ghana: ECG Restores Vending And Payment Systems After Flood Disruptions

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced the full restoration of its vending and payment systems, which were disrupted by the recent floods. In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the power distributor said efforts to restore the affected systems had been successfully completed, enabling customers to purchase electricity credit without interruption. According to ECG, customers can now top up their electricity credit using the ECG PowerApp or at the nearest vending point nationwide. The company also urged customers who continue to experience vending challenges to contact its Customer Contact Centre on 0302 611611 or reach out via its official social media handles, @ECGghOfficial, for assistance. ECG expressed its appreciation to customers for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during the period of disruption caused by the floods.

Ghana: Experts Question Government’s Commitment To Oil Revenue Recommendations

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has renewed calls for stronger enforcement of its statutory recommendations, warning that their repeated non-implementation is weakening governance in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector. During a live Facebook session on Wednesday titled #TimeWithPIAC, PIAC’s Senior Communications Manager, Jessica Acheampong, said the public is increasingly frustrated that proven safeguards remain unimplemented. “Ghanaians want to know why key recommendations designed to protect our oil resources are repeatedly left on the table,” she said. Mark Ofori Adu Agyemang, Head of PIAC’s Technical Department, presented an analytical review of the committee’s findings and highlighted structural weaknesses in the management of petroleum revenues. He argued that without coordinated and sustained action by ministries and regulatory agencies, PIAC’s monitoring efforts risk becoming a “mere academic exercise” rather than a practical tool for national development. Samuel Boakye, Chairman of PIAC’s Technical Subcommittee, linked the failure to implement PIAC’s recommendations to tangible project outcomes. He said delays, abandoned oil-funded infrastructure projects, and misaligned expenditures often result from implementing agencies’ failure to follow the committee’s guidance contained in its annual and semi-annual reports. The panel called for a two-pronged approach: legal reforms to strengthen compliance with PIAC’s recommendations and sustained public and media scrutiny to hold state institutions accountable. By taking the accountability conversation directly to Facebook, the PIAC Secretariat aims to mobilize citizens and journalists to press government agencies to implement outstanding recommendations, ensuring that Ghana’s finite hydrocarbon resources are managed transparently and with fiscal discipline. PIAC noted that recurring challenges include abandoned projects, inadequate maintenance planning for oil-funded infrastructure, and the fragmentation of funds across numerous small projects, which reduces their overall impact.

Global Governments Commit To Stronger Energy Efficiency Policies

Governments from across the globe have agreed to make energy efficiency a cornerstone of energy policy, recognising its critical role in building resilience against future energy shocks, improving affordability for consumers, and boosting economic competitiveness.

During the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 11th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Montreal, co-hosted by the Government of Canada, ministers and senior officials from all continents said recent disruptions to global energy markets had reinforced the need to accelerate energy efficiency as one of the quickest and most effective ways to lower energy costs, strengthen energy security, and reduce exposure to future market volatility.

In a joint statement, governments called for stronger action on energy efficiency, including increased support for vulnerable households and businesses, renewed efforts to improve efficiency in buildings and data centres, and measures to unlock investment without creating unnecessary administrative burdens.

Recognising that vulnerable households and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often among those hardest hit by energy price volatility, governments committed to ensuring that everyone can benefit from energy efficiency. Countries also pledged to expand policies that can ease immediate pressures while improving long-term resilience.

At the conference, the COP31 Presidency announced that it had commissioned the IEA to produce a special report to support the development of an energy efficiency target for buildings ahead of COP31, which will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, later this year. The move reinforces the Agency’s role in supporting governments’ efforts to advance international progress on energy efficiency.

“As successive energy crises have shown, energy efficiency remains one of the most powerful tools available to governments for strengthening energy security, lowering costs and boosting economic competitiveness. Best of all, it is a resource that every country possesses in abundance,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

“The commitments made in Montreal demonstrate strong international resolve to put efficiency at the heart of energy policy and accelerate progress towards a more secure, resilient and sustainable global energy system. Just as the oil crises of the 1970s drove major improvements in the way energy is used, today’s crisis is set to serve as a catalyst for faster action on efficiency.”

“Canada is proud to work with international partners to advance energy efficiency as a cornerstone of resilient, affordable and competitive energy systems. At a time of global uncertainty, improving how we use energy is one of the most immediate and cost-effective ways to protect households and businesses while strengthening our economy,” said Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson.

“The commitments reaffirmed in Montreal underscore our shared determination to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030 and to ensure that all Canadians—and partners around the world—benefit from lower energy costs, greater energy security and sustainable growth.”

“Energy efficiency is one of the highest-return investments an economy can make: lower costs for households and businesses, stronger energy security, and a foundation for long-term competitiveness,” said Canada’s Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, Julie Dabrusin.

“Canada is building a climate-competitive economy that leads in the global transition to net zero, and today’s commitment, alongside our international partners, advances that goal. Improving efficiency across every sector means real savings for Canadians and a more resilient economy for all of us.”

Discussions at the Global Conference drew on new IEA analysis and tools, including an updated Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit, recent analysis on protecting consumers from energy price shocks, and a new report highlighting the multiple benefits of energy efficiency for businesses. The IEA also continues to monitor global progress through its Energy Efficiency Progress Tracker.

The Montreal conference built on discussions held at the IEA’s 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Brussels last year and at COP28 in 2023, where countries agreed to work towards doubling the global rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030 in recognition of its importance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Governments in Montreal reaffirmed the need for stronger implementation and international cooperation to unlock the full benefits of energy efficiency for people, businesses, and economies worldwide.

Namibia: Capricornus-1A Appraisal Well Confirms Earlier Offshore Oil Discovery

The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) has announced the successful completion of drilling operations at the Capricornus-1A appraisal well within Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 85 offshore Namibia.

The well was drilled by Rhino Resources Namibia Ltd, the operator of PEL 85.

PEL 85 is operated by Rhino Resources, which holds a 42.5% working interest, in partnership with Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%), and Korres Investments (5%).

According to NAMCOR, the Capricornus-1A well reached a total depth of 4,818 metres and confirmed the presence of oil-bearing reservoir rock linked to the earlier Capricornus-1X discovery.

Drilling operations were completed safely without any incidents.

NAMCOR Acting Managing Director, Mr. Mtundeni Ndafyaalako, described the results as encouraging, saying they provide valuable information that will support the joint venture’s ongoing evaluation of the Capricornus discovery.

“We are pleased with the progress made by Rhino Resources and our joint venture partners in PEL 85. The Capricornus-1A well has provided important information that improves our understanding of the area and supports the next phase of appraisal work,” said Ndafyaalako.

He added:”Each well drilled in the Orange Basin gives Namibia a clearer picture of the potential of its offshore resources. NAMCOR remains encouraged by the continued progress being made through strong partnerships and the commitment of our operator and joint venture partners.”

NAMCOR said the data gathered from the Capricornus-1A appraisal well will be analysed alongside information from previous wells drilled in PEL 85. The findings will help guide the joint venture’s next phase of appraisal activities and future exploration within the licence area.

Read Also:Ghana: NPA Orders Immediate Shutdown Of Flooded Fuel Stations, Warns Of Sanction

The corporation also congratulated Rhino Resources, Azule Energy, Korres Investments, and all teams involved for the safe and successful execution of the Capricornus-1A drilling campaign.

“The well has also provided critical information on deeper geological intervals that were not encountered at Capricornus-1X, improving our understanding of how subsurface structures are defining the play fairways across the licence area.

“Together with the extensive datasets gathered from our previous discoveries, these results provide further insights for our part of the Orange Basin and will help inform the next phase of appraisal drilling across the Capricornus accumulation and additional exploration targets across PEL 85,” said Travis Smithard, Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Resources.

Uganda: UEGCL Welcomes Newly Constituted Board Of Directors

Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has officially welcomed its newly constituted Board of Directors, marking the beginning of a new leadership chapter that will guide the state-owned power generation company over the coming years.

The new Board, chaired by Dr. Eng. Florence Lubwama Kiyimba, was received by the Minister of State for Energy, Hon. Sidronius Okaasai Opolot, during a brief handover ceremony held at Serena Hotel Kampala.

Speaking at the ceremony, the outgoing Board Chairperson, Eng. Margaret Njuki, thanked the Minister for the support extended to the Board throughout its tenure.

She highlighted several key achievements, including the takeover of Namanve Thermal Power Plant (TPP) and the successful commissioning of the 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Plant (HPP), describing them as significant milestones in strengthening Uganda’s electricity generation capacity.

The incoming Board Chairperson, Dr. Eng. Florence Lubwama Kiyimba, pledged to build on the achievements of her predecessor by fostering a strong working relationship with UEGCL Management, shareholders, and other key stakeholders.

She reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to providing strategic oversight that will advance the company’s mandate and support Uganda’s growing energy needs.

In his remarks, Hon. Okaasai called on the new Board to align its leadership with Uganda’s long-term energy vision of increasing the country’s installed electricity generation capacity to 52,000 MW by 2040.

Read Also:Ghana: NPA Orders Immediate Shutdown Of Flooded Fuel Stations, Warns Of Sanction

He urged the Board to ensure that UEGCL continues to play a central role in expanding reliable and affordable electricity supply to drive the country’s socio-economic transformation.

Board of Directors UEGCL ELECTRICITY UGANDA GENERATION
The newly constituted UEGCL Board of Directors and the outgoing Board of Directors posed for a group photograph with the Minister of State for Energy

UEGCL Management commended the outgoing Board of Directors for its dedicated service and strategic stewardship, while expressing confidence in the incoming Board’s ability to build on the company’s achievements and lead it into its next phase of growth.

Ghana: NPA Orders Immediate Shutdown Of Flooded Fuel Stations, Warns Of Sanction

Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has directed the immediate suspension of operations at all fuel stations inundated by floodwaters following the heavy rains from Sunday night into Monday, June 29, 2026. The regulator has ordered the immediate cessation of all fuel dispensing, loading, and offloading activities at stations where floodwaters have inundated the forecourt or tank area, or entered tank manholes, fill points, or vent pipes. In a statement issued on Monday, the NPA urged Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), fuel station operators, dealers, transporters, and the general public to strictly adhere to safety measures at all fuel retail outlets affected by flooding. It warned that failure to comply with the safety measures would attract regulatory sanctions. The NPA directed operators to disconnect electrical power to fuel dispensers, canopy lighting, pumps, and all forecourt equipment using the main isolation switch, where it is safe to do so. It further instructed operators to remove all staff, customers, and vehicles from affected stations and establish a safety exclusion zone, preferably extending at least 100 metres around the facility. Additionally, the NPA advised operators to prohibit smoking, naked flames, welding, the use of spark-producing equipment, and any other activity capable of igniting flammable vapours within the exclusion zone. The regulator also urged operators to report any incident immediately to the nearest NPA Regional Office, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and their respective Oil Marketing Company. According to the NPA, operations must not resume until floodwaters have completely receded, the station has undergone a joint safety inspection by the NPA and the GNFS, and underground storage tanks, pipelines, dispensers, and associated equipment have been inspected and certified fit for service by qualified personnel. It added that any water-contaminated fuel or hazardous waste must be safely removed and disposed of in accordance with applicable environmental requirements. “The sale or distribution of contaminated petroleum products constitutes a violation of applicable petroleum regulations and will attract severe sanctions,” the statement said. The regulator also advised members of the public to avoid entering, driving through, or gathering around flooded fuel stations. The National Petroleum Authority said it will undertake compliance inspections at affected fuel stations nationwide. It warned that any station found to have resumed operations without the required safety clearance will be subject to enforcement action, including suspension of operations, regulatory sanctions, and prosecution, where applicable.

Ghana: TOR Secures Two-Year Crude Supply Deal With Fujeirah/Triangle Commodities Trading

Ghana’s premier refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has secured a deal with Fujeirah/Triangle Commodities Trading (TCT), a Dubai-based petroleum products trading company, for the supply of one million barrels of crude oil per month over a two-year period.

The deal will guarantee a continuous supply of crude oil for the sustained operation of the country’s premier refinery.

The refinery resumed crude processing in late December 2025 following major rehabilitation works undertaken by the current management.

In May, the refinery received approximately one million barrels of Bonga crude oil aboard the MT Cap Felix as part of its ongoing revitalization and crude processing programme.

The crude oil cargo was purchased from Shell and supplied through Fujeirah/Triangle Commodities Trading (TCT) under a tolling arrangement.

Speaking at the 18th Annual General Meeting of the refinery, held at the Palms by Eagles, TOR Board Chairman Nayon Bilijo revealed that the agreement with Fujeirah/Triangle Commodities Trading (TCT) will ensure a continuous supply of crude oil and the sustained operation of the refinery.

“TOR has an agreement for the supply of about one million barrels of crude oil every month for the next two years, with no interruptions envisaged,” he said.

The refinery is also expected to receive locally produced crude oil from the upstream petroleum sector in July.

“TOR is also expected to take delivery of some crude oil from the Government for refining,” Mr. Bilijo said.

As part of efforts to sustain operations, he said the Board has identified key areas, including improving revenue generation, reducing costs, restructuring the balance sheet, and ensuring a sustained supply of crude oil.

According to him, the current administration inherited 17 storage tanks that were out of service.

He said these tanks are currently undergoing maintenance and repairs to bring them back into operation.

Mr. Bilijo said the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCC), a key value-adding component that is currently undergoing maintenance, is expected to be completed and operational by the third quarter of this year.

To support the company’s operations, he said the refinery has increased its staff strength from 547 employees in 2024 to 1,144 personnel.

He said this reflects a deliberate strategy to retain critical expertise, strengthen operational capability, and support the refinery’s turnaround.

Malaysia: Vestigo Petroleum Confirms Fire At West Lutong Vent A Facility, No Casualties

Vestigo Petroleum Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of PETRONAS Carigali, has confirmed that a fire occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at its West Lutong Vent A (WLV-A) facility offshore Sarawak.

The confirmation follows reports of an explosion at the offshore oil and gas platform after a lightning strike reportedly hit a vent stack at the facility.

A video of the incident later went viral on social media.

In a statement issued on Monday, the company said the situation had been brought under control and that the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Vestigo said there were no injuries or personnel affected, adding that the incident posed no immediate threat to the surrounding communities or the environment.

The company said it is working closely with the relevant authorities and has taken the necessary precautionary measures to manage any potential risk of exposure.

Vestigo reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of its people, the protection of the environment, and the integrity of its operations.

Africa’s Grid Constraints Come Into Focus As Regional Markets Push Toward Integration

Africa’s electricity demand is projected to nearly double to 2,291 TWh by 2050, requiring an estimated $30 billion in transmission and grid infrastructure investment to unlock and integrate new generation capacity. Yet across the continent, grid systems are struggling to keep pace with rapidly expanding supply pipelines and rising demand. In Nigeria, repeated nationwide grid collapses as recently as February 2026 underscore the fragility of aging transmission infrastructure. In East Africa, tower failures along the 428 km Loiyangalani-Suswa line temporarily stranded output from Lake Turkana Wind Power – Africa’s largest wind installation. Meanwhile, demand growth pressures are accelerating across North Africa, where electricity consumption is expected to rise by around 50% by 2035, driven by urbanization, desalination projects, and climate-related temperature increases. Despite these constraints, generation investment continues to accelerate across Africa, particularly in renewables, gas-to-power and hybrid systems. However, without equivalent investment in transmission and interconnection, much of this new capacity risks being underutilized or stranded. This growing imbalance between generation and grid capacity is driving a sharper focus on system-wide planning and regional market design – issues that will be central to the newly launched Power Africa Today conference at African Energy Week 2026. The platform will bring together policymakers, utilities, investors and developers to explore how regional interconnection, cross-border trading frameworks and financing structures can better align generation growth with grid expansion. Power Markets Experiment with Reform Alongside infrastructure challenges, Africa’s electricity sector is undergoing gradual – but uneven – market reform. Most countries still operate vertically integrated systems dominated by state utilities, but a growing number are introducing competitive frameworks to attract private capital and improve efficiency. Zimbabwe opened its electricity market to full private participation across generation, transmission and distribution in 2025, targeting $9 billion in new investment. South Africa is advancing one of the continent’s most ambitious grid expansion programs, with plans for 14,500 km of new transmission lines and 133,000 MVA of transformer capacity by 2034, alongside mechanisms designed to crowd in private financing. Kenya, meanwhile, has introduced open access regulations enabling independent power producers to wheel electricity directly to multiple off-takers, reshaping how generation assets interface with the grid. Regional Integration Remains Fragmented Efforts to connect Africa’s fragmented power systems are progressing, though at different speeds across regions. In Southern Africa, the World Bank’s RETRADE SAPP program, approved in 2025, is deploying $12 million to strengthen renewable integration and transmission capacity across 12 member states. Read Also:Ghana: Severe Flooding Forces Shutdown Of Mallam And Achimota Primary Substations, Disrupting Power Supply In East Africa, the Ethiopia–Kenya–Tanzania Electricity Highway is now in trial operations at up to 2,000 MW, marking a significant step toward a more interconnected regional grid. West Africa is also moving toward deeper integration, with permanent synchronization of the West Africa Power Pool expected in 2026. Analysts, including the African Finance Corporation, argue that such synchronization is critical to unlocking large-scale hydropower potential and industrial demand across the region. Longer term, full synchronization between the Eastern and Southern African power pools – targeted for the end of 2026 – could create one of the world’s largest cross-border electricity trading corridors. Building Bankable Financial Architectures While interconnection is advancing, infrastructure alone is not enough to create investable electricity markets. Investors consistently cite the lack of standardized offtake structures, creditworthy counterparties, and cross-border payment guarantees as key barriers to scaling capital deployment. New models are emerging to address these constraints. Africa GreenCo, operating across Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, is helping to aggregate independent power producers under a single creditworthy intermediary, standardizing power purchase agreements and reducing counterparty risk. At a broader level, AUDA-NEPAD estimates that Africa requires around $30 billion in additional investment to complete priority transmission corridors and establish three fully interconnected regional trading blocs by 2030. “Interconnected electricity markets are the foundation of Africa’s industrial future,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The question at Africa Energy Week is not whether integration is possible – the evidence is already there. The question is which regulatory frameworks and financial structures will get projects to financial close, and which markets will be ready when capital is looking to move.” The Power Africa Today conference will run alongside AEW 2026, taking place October 12–16 in Cape Town. It will focus on the regulatory, financial and infrastructural architecture needed to build interconnected electricity markets capable of attracting institutional capital and delivering reliable, cross-border power at scale.

MODEC Secures Contract To Deliver Turret Mooring System For Mozambique’s Coral Norte FLNG

MODEC has announced that it will supply a SOFEC® Internal Turret Mooring System for the Coral Norte FLNG project offshore Mozambique, which is being developed by Eni and its partners, CNPC, ENH, XRG, and KOGAS.

MODEC is collaborating with the Technip Energies–JGC joint venture (JV) to support seamless integration, efficient execution, and reliable long-term performance, the company said in a statement.

With the Final Investment Decision (FID) reached in October 2025, the hull launched in January 2026 at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard in South Korea, and first LNG production targeted for 2028, the project is advancing on schedule.

MODEC has supported the project since its early stages and is progressing engineering and supply activities in line with the overall project timeline, underscoring the company’s contribution to mission-critical station-keeping for large-scale gas developments.

Read Also:Ghana: Mahama Breaks Ground For 60,000 Barrels Per Day Phase II Expansion Of Sentuo Oil Refinery 

Building on its proven performance on the companion Coral Sul FLNG project, this engagement reinforces MODEC’s track record in delivering complex offshore station-keeping solutions.

Designed as an enhanced replica of Coral Sul—incorporating lessons learned and optimized for improved efficiency and performance—Coral Norte will add 3.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefaction capacity.

The turret mooring system is a mission-critical element of FLNG performance, enabling safe weathervaning, high operational uptime, and resilient operations in the metocean conditions of the Rovuma Basin.

“Coral Norte is an important milestone for the industry and for Mozambique, and we are honoured to contribute to this landmark FLNG project,” said Arun Duggal, Head of MODEC’s Mooring Solutions Business Unit.

“Our team’s performance on Coral Sul set a high bar for safety, reliability, and schedule discipline. This engagement reflects the trust we have built together, and we look forward to delivering a SOFEC® turret mooring system that enables best-in-class operability while continuing to invest in local capability and laying the foundation for future projects in the region.”

A Technip Energies–JGC JV spokesperson said: “The work delivered by MODEC on Coral Sul established a strong operational baseline and demonstrated excellence in engineering and execution. Our partnership on Coral Norte builds on that success and supports our broader commitment to sustainable development in Mozambique.”

SBM Offshore Secures $465 Million Financing For Trion FSO

SBM Offshore has secured $465 million in project financing for FSO Chalchi, the floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel being built for Woodside Energy’s Trion deepwater development offshore Mexico. The financing, provided by a consortium of international banks and institutional investors, includes partial insurance support from China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation. SBM Offshore said the funding will be drawn during the vessel’s construction and will become non-recourse after the FSO begins operations. FSO Chalchi is currently under construction and will operate under 20-year lease and operate agreements with Woodside’s Mexican affiliate, Woodside Petróleo Operaciones de México. The new build FSO is based on a Suezmax-class hull and will feature SBM Offshore’s disconnectable turret mooring system. Designed for water depths of approximately 2,500 m (8,200 ft), the vessel will have storage capacity of approximately 950,000 bbl of crude oil. Read Also:Global Gas Flaring Rises For Third Straight Year, Undermining Energy Security — World Bank Report The vessel will be deployed at the Trion field, located about 180 km offshore Mexico and 30 km south of the U.S.-Mexico maritime border. Trion is being developed by operator Woodside, which holds a 60% interest, and partner Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), which owns the remaining 40%. “We welcome the signing of the project financing of FSO Chalchi, marking our first transaction combining commercial banks, institutional investors and support from an export credit agency,” said Douglas Wood, chief financial officer of SBM Offshore. “This financing structure demonstrates SBM Offshore’s ability to deliver innovative, long-term funding solutions for our clients and provides a scalable solution for potential new lease and operate projects.” Trion is one of the largest deepwater developments currently under construction offshore Mexico and represents Woodside’s first operated oil production project in the country.

Ghana: Severe Flooding Forces Shutdown Of Mallam And Achimota Primary Substations, Disrupting Power Supply

The Ghana Grid Company Ltd. (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have temporarily shut down the Mallam and Achimota Primary Substations following severe flooding at the facilities after continuous rainfall in Ghana’s capital, Accra, from Sunday night into Monday. The shutdown has disrupted power supply to several areas served by the affected substations. In a joint statement, GRIDCo and ECG explained that the shutdown became necessary because the flooding had affected critical power infrastructure at several substations, posing significant risks to both electrical equipment and operational personnel. “To safeguard lives, protect property, and prevent damage to the electricity network, GRIDCo and ECG have taken the decision to temporarily switch off power supply from the affected substations until conditions are safe for restoration,” the statement said. The utility companies said they are closely monitoring the situation and conducting detailed assessments of the impact of the flooding on the transmission and distribution network. GRIDCo and ECG added that power supply may also be temporarily interrupted in other affected areas, where necessary, as a precautionary measure to protect lives, property, and critical electricity infrastructure whenever safety risks are identified. “Members of the public are urged to exercise extreme caution and immediately report any fallen electricity poles, exposed or fallen power lines, flooded electrical installations, or any other electricity-related hazards to the nearest ECG office or through ECG’s customer service channels. Prompt reporting will support rapid response efforts and help ensure public safety. “GRIDCo and ECG sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate the patience, cooperation, and understanding of all affected customers. Every effort will be made to restore power supply as soon as weather conditions improve and it is safe to do so.”

Kenya’s Nuclear Drive Gains Momentum As KenGen Studies Ontario Model

Kenya has moved a step closer to becoming a nuclear-powered nation after the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), accompanied by other Kenyan officials, recently undertook a high-level study mission to Ontario’s nuclear industry to strengthen the country’s plans for building its first nuclear power plant. The week-long Canada–Kenya Nuclear Engagement Program brought Kenyan leaders into direct contact with one of the world’s most mature nuclear ecosystems, giving KenGen and its partner institutions deeper exposure to the operational, regulatory, technical, and human capital foundations required for Phase 3 readiness under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Milestones Framework. KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga, described the tour as highly successful, saying the move towards nuclear power represents the next major step in Kenya’s pursuit of industrial growth, energy security, and reliable round-the-clock clean energy. “This trip is very strategic for us, and it has helped deepen our understanding of our role going forward. We gained first-hand experience by learning from an established nuclear market, understanding the owner-operator model, and translating that knowledge into a long-term plan for Kenya’s energy system,” said Eng. Njenga. Beyond showcasing technology, KenGen said the Canada mission provided an end-to-end view of what it takes to build a sustainable national nuclear programme, including owner-operator capability, regulatory discipline, workforce development, fuel-cycle understanding, public accountability, and long-term radioactive waste stewardship. “KenGen has been designated to serve as the owner-operator of Kenya’s first nuclear power plant in partnership with the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). This mission helped sharpen the practical roadmap for turning our national ambition into institutional readiness,” said Eng. Njenga. KenGen added that Kenya’s nuclear vision is anchored in a broader national development strategy. In December 2025, the company announced that the country’s first nuclear power project is expected to have an initial capacity of approximately 2,000 megawatts (MW), with long-term plans to expand nuclear generation to about 6,000 MW. This forms part of Kenya’s broader strategy to add 10,000 MW of electricity generation capacity while strengthening energy security, industrial competitiveness, and long-term economic transformation. In Ontario, the Kenyan delegation engaged with a nuclear ecosystem built on proven scale and continuity. During the tour, the delegation was exposed to Canada’s reactor technology, CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium). Canada has 16 CANDU reactors in Ontario and one reactor in New Brunswick. The delegation also learned about Canada’s work on next-generation nuclear technologies and reactor innovation. “Kenya is one of Canada’s most important partners in sub-Saharan Africa, and we see significant opportunity to deepen that partnership across energy, education and workforce development,” said Sophie Price, Head of Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada to Kenya. She added: “Building a nuclear programme is not only about technology; it is also about people, institutions and long-term capability. For every engineer in nuclear, for example, many more diverse professionals are needed across operations, safety, regulation and community engagement, and that is why partnerships like this matter to us.” Canada currently has 30 CANDU reactors operating globally. CANDU reactors use heavy water (deuterium oxide) as both moderator and coolant and are among the few reactor designs in the world developed for the open commercial market by their home country. They use natural uranium fuel, reducing reliance on uranium enrichment services and providing greater flexibility in fuel sourcing. This contributes to energy security and supply chain resilience, considerations that are increasingly important for countries pursuing long-term nuclear power programmes. For Kenya, these lessons were highly relevant. The Ontario programme exposed KenGen to Canada’s full nuclear value chain, from technology stewardship and operating culture to supply-chain development, skills formation, research partnerships and long-term waste management. At Bruce Power, the world’s largest operating nuclear power facility with an installed capacity of 6,400 MW, the Kenyan delegation learned why nuclear power is becoming increasingly strategic in modern industrial economies. “Canada’s electricity demand could more than double by 2050, with provincial data showing a new trend of emerging consumers—mostly data centres—seeking grid connection. They already represent roughly 30% of Ontario’s peak demand, with more than 6,500 MW requested,” said Ms. Price. For Kenya, this is a powerful signal and a further boost to KenGen’s new Green Energy Park, which seeks to meet the emerging and future needs of industrialisation, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and green growth through reliable, scalable baseload power. “No nation has achieved industrial transformation without reliable, affordable and scalable baseload power,” said Eng. Njenga, adding: “Kenya’s nuclear project must be understood as institution-building before it is understood as construction. Our aspiration is to build a nuclear organisation that reflects the highest international standards of operational excellence, safety culture, environmental stewardship and public accountability.” “Drawing on the benchmark of Bruce Power in Kincardine, Canada, where localised nuclear expansion acts as a major driver of socioeconomic development, it is evident that a comprehensive, cross-county joint stakeholder engagement framework must be deployed to prioritise transparent, community-driven advocacy campaigns,” said Eng. Njenga. At the same time, the team was exposed to the ability of a nuclear power plant to stimulate regional wealth creation, generate thousands of skilled engineering and construction jobs, and catalyse sustainable industrialisation not just at the plant site but across Kenya. During an exposure tour of Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) the mission demonstrated how long-term used-fuel management can be institutionally protected through dedicated trust funds that exist for their intended purpose, ensuring safety treatment and disposal of nuclear wastes. “For Kenya, this level of safety preparedness offered us a concrete example of how public confidence in nuclear energy is built not only through safety and regulation, but through visible, durable commitments to stewardship over decades,” said NuPEA’s Eng. Eric Ohaga who was also part of the Kenyan delegation. The trip also underscored that nuclear readiness depends on people as much as infrastructure. At McMaster University, the delegation saw how specialized talent pipelines are built early, including the Bruce Power Women in Nuclear Engineering Co-op Program, which introduces students to the full nuclear fuel cycle from mining and plant operation to waste management. The model aligns with Kenya’s need to build an inclusive, multidisciplinary workforce in engineering, science, operations, regulation, communications, environmental management and community engagement. KenGen’s Canada mission sends a clear signal to the market, to policymakers and to the Kenyan public that Kenya’s nuclear future is moving from aspiration to structured readiness. “Success therefore depends on strategic patience, consistency of purpose and trusted international partnerships,” said Eng. Njenga, adding, “Kenya’s nuclear journey, is not beginning from zero, but it will demand discipline, continuity and institutional depth to turn this national dream into a reality for the good of our people.” At AtkinsRéalis, the steward of CANDU technology, the delegation was shown how a reactor platform becomes part of a broader national supply chain. Carl Marcotte of Candu Energy told the Kenyan team that, given the progress Kenya has already made in power development, nuclear represented a logical next step. He also stressed a point of relevance to KenGen’s industrial ambitions: while first-ofa-kind units and critical components may have to be imported at the outset, localization can deepen over time, allowing more equipment, services and technical capability to be produced domestically. This approach can help maximize economic benefits, create skilled jobs, and strengthen national industrial capacity over the life of a nuclear program. That question of local capability ran through other stops on the program. The message was that nuclear power is never just a plant behind a fence. It is an ecosystem of fabricators, engineers, training institutions, policy specialists, inspectors and long-duration service providers. At Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Eric McGoey argued that public debate around nuclear power often dwells almost exclusively on risk while giving too little attention to economic value. “People tend to focus on waste at the end of the project rather than on the wider benefits that flow from a reliable source of low-carbon baseload electricity,” he said adding, “nonetheless we can never dismiss the burden of safety or public trust, which is real but it is good to note that mature nuclear states deal with those burdens through institutions designed to manage them over decades.” A key takeaway from the visit is that successful nuclear programs extend well beyond the reactor itself. Canada’s experience demonstrated the importance of developing local supply chains, workforce capabilities, research partnerships, and institutional capacity alongside nuclear infrastructure. By learning directly from a country that has built, operated, regulated and continuously evolved a world-class nuclear system, KenGen is helping position Kenya to take the next step with greater confidence, stronger partnerships and a sharper understanding of what it will take to deliver safe, affordable, low-carbon baseload power at national scale. During an exposure tour of Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), the mission examined how long-term used-fuel management can be institutionally safeguarded through dedicated trust funds established for their intended purpose, ensuring the safe treatment and disposal of nuclear waste. “For Kenya, this level of safety preparedness offered us a concrete example of how public confidence in nuclear energy is built not only through safety and regulation, but also through visible, durable commitments to stewardship over decades,” said NuPEA’s Eng. Eric Ohaga, who was also part of the Kenyan delegation. The trip also underscored that nuclear readiness depends on people as much as infrastructure. At McMaster University, the delegation observed how specialised talent pipelines are developed early, including the Bruce Power Women in Nuclear Engineering Co-op Programme, which introduces students to the full nuclear fuel cycle—from mining and plant operation to waste management. The model aligns with Kenya’s need to build an inclusive, multidisciplinary workforce in engineering, science, operations, regulation, communications, environmental management and community engagement. KenGen’s Canada mission sends a clear signal to the market, policymakers and the Kenyan public that the country’s nuclear future is moving from aspiration to structured readiness. “Success therefore depends on strategic patience, consistency of purpose and trusted international partnerships,” said Eng. Njenga, adding: “Kenya’s nuclear journey is not beginning from zero, but it will demand discipline, continuity and institutional depth to turn this national dream into a reality for the good of our people.” At AtkinsRéalis, the steward of CANDU technology, the delegation was shown how a reactor platform becomes part of a broader national supply chain. Carl Marcotte of Candu Energy told the Kenyan team that, given the progress Kenya has already made in power development, nuclear power represents a logical next step. He also stressed a point relevant to KenGen’s industrial ambitions: while first-of-a-kind units and critical components may need to be imported at the outset, localisation can deepen over time, allowing more equipment, services and technical capability to be produced domestically. This approach can help maximise economic benefits, create skilled jobs and strengthen national industrial capacity over the life of a nuclear programme. That question of local capability ran through other stops on the programme. The message was that nuclear power is never just a plant behind a fence; it is an ecosystem of fabricators, engineers, training institutions, policy specialists, inspectors and long-term service providers. At Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Eric McGoey argued that public debate around nuclear power often focuses almost exclusively on risk while giving too little attention to economic value. “People tend to focus on waste at the end of the project rather than on the wider benefits that flow from a reliable source of low-carbon baseload electricity,” he said, adding: “Nonetheless, we can never dismiss the burden of safety or public trust, which is real. But it is important to note that mature nuclear states deal with those burdens through institutions designed to manage them over decades.” A key takeaway from the visit is that successful nuclear programmes extend well beyond the reactor itself. Canada’s experience demonstrated the importance of developing local supply chains, workforce capabilities, research partnerships and institutional capacity alongside nuclear infrastructure. By learning directly from a country that has built, operated, regulated and continuously evolved a world-class nuclear system, KenGen is helping position Kenya to take the next step with greater confidence, stronger partnerships and a sharper understanding of what it will take to deliver safe, affordable and low-carbon baseload power at national scale.   Source: KenGen

The Gambia:Barrow Declares Electricity Supply Stable Following Weeks Of Power Outages

Power supply across The Gambia has largely stabilised following significant improvements in electricity imports through the Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du fleuve Gambie (OMVG) regional interconnection into the country’s national grid. The country now has sufficient electricity to meet peak demand, which ranges between 85 megawatts (MW) and 95 MW, an official of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) told this portal on Sunday, June 28, 2026. In recent months, The Gambia has experienced persistent power outages across the Greater Banjul Area and the West Coast Region, prompting many residents to express frustration over the reliability of electricity services. Officials of the state-owned utility company, NAWEC, and the government attributed the outages to reduced electricity imports through the OMVG regional interconnection, which affected power supply to the country’s national grid. However, the explanation was rejected by many citizens and opposition political parties, who accused the government of failing to manage the power sector efficiently. Speaking on the electricity situation on Saturday, President Adama Barrow announced that power supply across the country had stabilised. “Electricity is stable now,” President Barrow said. “When there was no electricity, you complained. Now that it is stable, come out also and acknowledge that electricity is back,” he said while commissioning the National Emergency Treatment Centre and Biomedical Engineering Hospital in Farato on Saturday. The President also announced that fuel prices would be reduced effective July 1. He, however, did not provide details on the scope or size of the planned reduction. During his remarks, President Barrow appealed for national unity, saying his primary concern was preserving peace and stability in the country regardless of political affiliation. He said he harboured no ill feelings towards citizens who support opposition parties and urged Gambians to recognise the presidency as an institution that serves the entire nation. “You should accept that I am the president of this country—that is the truth,” he said. “When you are sick, you go to my hospital. When you have problems, you go to my police station. The roads you criticise are the same roads you drive on.”