Browsing: energy

• The war in Ukraine has shown how dependent Europe is on natural gas for power. Before the conflict broke out in February this year, Russia supplied up to 40 per cent of Europe’s gas requirements.
• As Russia cuts supplies, these nations are rushing to strike deals in Africa as prices soar.
• Significant investments are needed to build Africa’s trans-regional and intercontinental pipelines to open up access to Europe

The global realignment triggered by the war in Ukraine ushered in a period of transition on the African continent. The current conflict exposed and exacerbated tensions in international agricultural commodity markets existing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Import-dependent countries with low per capita incomes are particularly vulnerable to shocks occurring amid the war in Ukraine, which further increase their risk of food insecurity.

The agricultural sector is not the only one that is experiencing disruptions; the global energy sector is suffering the same …

His fortune is estimated to be worth a staggering US$148 billion. He is second only to Tesla founder and eccentric billionaire Elon Musk. Very interesting to note is the fact that the rise of Adani into the high stakes of global wealth is also the first time that two of the wealthiest individuals in the world are from countries that comprise the BRICS nations.

Though now a US citizen, Elon Musk has South African heritage, and Adani is an Indian national.

That two of the richest men in the world are from BRICS countries is indicative of the emergence of the bloc. Adani is the first person of Indian descent to occupy the position. Adani is the chairman of the Adani Group, which operates a litany of businesses in coal mining, infrastructure, and thermal power generation. His companies also operate private airports and firms. According to media reports, Adani’s wealth …

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is now legally able to incorporate drones in its infrastructure management. This announcement was made at an event the national power company held to mark its acquisition of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (ROC).

According to an article by Newsday published on June 15, 2022, speaking at ZESA’s drone technology certification ceremony in Harare Executive Chairman Sydney Gata said certification of the use of drone technology in their day-to-day operations is expected to improve service delivery.

“This will enable a quicker turn-around in fault finding and rectification resulting in the continuous and consistent provision of electricity to our customers. Drone technology will also assist ZETDC in its fight against vandalism and theft of electricity.”

ZESA is battling a myriad of challenges including incessant faults, mainly emanating from aging power distribution infrastructure. This has seen the country grappling with endless power cuts.…

East Africa’s economy is booming, with yearly GDP growth trending upward. The region’s GDP was expected to grow by roughly 5 per cent by 2020. Despite the Covid-19 epidemic, the region increased by 3 per cent in 2021 and is expected to increase to 5 per cent in 2022.…

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced interest in investing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s solar energy sector
• The MoU was signed between DRC’s state electricity company Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL) and AMEA Power
• World Bank data indicates that DRC has a population of 84 million people, but only 19 to 20 per cent of the population have access to electricity

The United Arabs Emirates (UAE) has announced interest in investing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s solar energy sector.

The countries, through two companies, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pave way for the production of 30 megawatts in DRC.

The MoU was signed between DRC’s state electricity company Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL) and AMEA Power.

SNEL Director-General Jean-Bosco Kayombo Kayan said the deal would see millions of people get connected to the national power grid.

According to the DG, UAE plans on exploring …

However, all efforts have been directed in that sector to try and make it greener and cleaner. Among consumers, a major shift is now being witnessed with most of the industries investing in clean energy sources that are both affordable and sustainable.

Such initiatives have made Kenya be rated among the top countries that are implementing their nationally determined contributions that seek to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the country by 32 per cent by 2030.

The latest industry to have made noted efforts to transit to clean Energy is Bamburi Cement Factory situated in Bamburi Mombasa.…

• Uganda’s electricity sector has been named Africa’s best regulated for the fourth year running 
• Other strong performers, including its East African neighbours, Kenya and Tanzania, and Namibia and Egypt

Uganda’s electricity sector has been named Africa’s best regulated across several key metrics, according to the African Development Bank’s 2021 Electricity Regulatory Index.

The country was named the best for a fourth year running, ahead of other strong performers, including its East African neighbours, Kenya and Tanzania, and Namibia and Egypt.

The 2021 Electricity Regulatory Index annual report covered 43 countries, up from 36 in the previous edition and assessed their impact on the performance of their electricity sectors.

It covered three countries in the North Africa region, four in West Africa, six in Central Africa, seven in East Africa and 13 in the Southern Africa region.

Commenting on the report, Kevin Kariuki, the African Development Bank’s Vice President …

When talking about bilateral ties, the most common complaints are inadequate support systems – both from the state and financial institutions. Russian NGOs are also pushing for a diverse set of initiatives aimed at enhancing ties.
The Coordination Committee for Economic Cooperation with African countries, a business and policy NGO, established as far back as 2009, proposes that funds be availed to support Russian business and investment in Africa.
Senator Igor Morozov, Member of the Committee for Economy Policy of the Federation Council (Senate) and Chairman of the Coordination Committee on Economic Cooperation with Africa observes that conditions that are opening up for Russian business today are not the same as those for businessmen from France, the European Union, India or China.…

After major reforms that rocked its mineral and energy sectors less than a decade ago, mineral and energy-rich Tanzania is again doing an overhaul of the two sectors, this time not to short leash investors but rather, to ‘rebuild broken bridges.’

A key area that is slotted for a facelift is the very lucrative Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector which the country’s new Energy Minister January Makamba shortlisted as a sector of much interest that is yet to meet its full potential.

The sector minister was firm, change is coming to the sector and since charity begins at home, for starters, the board of the country’s government-owned power supply monopoly the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) has been ‘gassed out’ and a new board brought in to breathe fresh air to the ailing entity.

Announcing the new board mid this month, the minister said; “We just started with Tanesco …