AfrElec - Africa Power Monitor
Renewables, grids and regional links drive Africa’s power sector forward
Africa's power generation sector recorded several notable developments last week, highlighting the continent’s growing focus on renewable energy, grid expansion and regional electricity trade.
Canadian firm ReconAfrica reports first onshore hydrocarbon flow in Namibia
Reconnaissance Energy Africa has produced hydrocarbons to the surface during production testing at its Kavango West 1X discovery well, marking what the company described as the first successful onshore hydrocarbon flow in Namibia.
UK guarantees $400mn AfDB loan for South Africa municipal utility reforms
The African Development Bank has approved a UK-guaranteed $400mn loan to improve water and electricity services in four municipalities in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province.
Australian firm Deep Yellow awards construction contracts ahead of Namibia uranium project decision
Deep Yellow (ASX: DYL) has awarded two major civil and concrete construction contracts for its flagship Tumas uranium project in Namibia as it advances preparations for a final investment decision expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
US opens probe into Ethiopian solar imports over alleged China tariff circumvention
The US Department of Commerce has opened a countrywide investigation into whether Ethiopian solar cells and modules made with Chinese components are circumventing US antidumping and countervailing duties.
AfDB approves $110mn for Ethiopia’s 300-MW Aysha wind project, country’s largest to date
The African Development Bank has approved up to $110mn for Ethiopia’s 300-MW Aysha wind project, which is set to become the country’s largest wind farm and first privately developed wind power project.
TotalEnergies begins operations at 216-MW South Africa solar and battery project
TotalEnergies and its partners have started operations at South Africa’s 216-MW Hydra solar project, which includes a 500-MWh battery system and will supply 75 MW of dispatchable power to state utility Eskom.
World Bank approves $1.5bn loan to support South Africa infrastructure reforms
The World Bank Group has approved a $1.5bn loan to support reforms in South Africa’s electricity, freight transport, water and sanitation sectors.
Octopus-backed MOPO plans $75mn battery rental expansion in Nigeria
Battery rental company MOPO has signed an agreement with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to support a $75mn expansion of its operations in Africa’s most populous country.
KenGen quadruples geothermal expansion target to 5,500MW as industrial power demand rises
Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) (NSE: KEGN), the state-controlled power producer, plans to raise its geothermal expansion target to 5,500MW from 1,500MW as industrial investment and record electricity demand increase
OPEC takes aim at the IEA over oil and gas forecasts
OPEC warns that pessimistic demand forecasts and financing restrictions risk deterring oil and gas investment.
Trafigura exits Angola-DRC-Zambia power transmission project
Commodity trader Trafigura has withdrawn from a proposed 2,000-megawatt (MW) electricity transmission project that would have transported surplus hydropower from Angola to copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.
Indian group Navitas Solar makes African debut after securing $20mn contract in Zambia
Indian renewable energy company Navitas Solar has secured a $20mn contract to build a 54-megawatt utility-scale solar power plant in central Zambia, marking its entry into the African market, MVA Pulse reported on July 15.
Africa's LNG ambitions gather pace amid record global trade, says IGU report
Africa is steadily carving out a more prominent role in the global LNG industry.
Australian explorer Elevate Uranium raises stake in Namibia's Marenica project to 90%
Elevate Uranium (ASX: EL8, OTCQX: ELVUF) (Elevate) has agreed to increase its stake in the Marenica Uranium Project in Namibia to 90% through two acquisition agreements, the company said in a statement on July 13.
Namibia electricity supply rises in May as domestic generation remains dominant
Namibia's electricity supply increased in May as higher domestic generation and imports helped meet rising demand, with local power stations accounting for more than half of total supply, according to data published by the Namibia Statistics Agency.
Cameroon weighs direct power supply deal for Prometal amid sector dispute
Cameroon is considering a proposal to allow steel producer Prometal to buy electricity directly from state-owned Electricity Development Corporation (EDC)
Zambia appoints Noubeg Power for proposed 40-MW wind study
Noubeg Power & Co. said it had been selected by Zambia’s Ministry of Energy to prepare a proposed 40-MW wind power project as the country seeks to reduce its heavy dependence on hydropower.
Tanzania delays $420mn Canadian-backed gas-to-liquids plant pending gas supply assurance
Tanzania has delayed signing a gas supply agreement needed to advance a planned $420mn gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant, with state-owned Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation saying natural gas will remain prioritised for electricity generation
Senegal utility Senelec lists $192mn sustainability-linked bonds in Luxembourg
Senegal’s state-owned utility Senelec has admitted XOF108bn ($192mn) of sustainability-linked bonds to the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, supporting renewable energy investment, electricity access and investor diversification.
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