AfrElec - Africa Power Monitor

25 July 2023

Zimbabwe, Zambia in $294mn rehabilitation of key co-owned Kariba dam

24 July 2023

The 1.81bn cubic metre capacity Kariba Dam, commissioned in 1960, generates 2,130 MW of electricity that is shared almost equally by the neighbours. Built on the Zambezi, the dam also supports a number of tourism, hospitality and fishing projects.

South Africa plans to unlock 13 GW from existing stations, says minister

24 July 2023

According to the minister, the government is working on about 25 projects in existing substations, potentially unlocking up to 13 GW of energy. “In the next 10 years, we think that it’s possible for us to be able to have an additional 24 GW.”

Nigerian government slashes electricity subsidies by 80% in pursuit of sector reform

24 July 2023

The Nigerian government has taken a significant step towards reforming its electricity sector by slashing electricity subsidies by approximately 80% between 2019 and 2022, according to a report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Predator Oil & Gas plans to build gas-to-power plant in Morocco

24 July 2023

Predator Oil & Gas, a London-listed company with near-term gas operations focused on Morocco, is currently considering expanding its operations in Morocco and said it plans to build a gas-to-power project in the near future.

Hitting 2030 renewables target looks increasingly unlikely for South Africa, analysts say

23 July 2023

A report published on July 12 highlights challenges that lie ahead for Africa’s most advanced economy in its pursuit of decarbonisation.

Namibia launches tender to build 70-MW solar project

23 July 2023

The electricity company is in the market for an engineering, procurement and construction contractor to build the solar farm in Rosh Pinah, a project originally designed for wind power generation.

Police in South Africa seizes $55.7mn worth of items in Eskom-related fraud investigation

23 July 2023

According to the police, among the recovered items since April last year were 42 firearms, 83 loads of coal and 33 trucks.

South Africa’s electricity minister explains escalating power outages

23 July 2023

Speaking to the media on July 17, the minister said that “significant lessons” have been learnt from last week’s cold snap that caused the national grid to falter as demand soared and generation capacity plummeted.

IMF wants a change of board at Kenya Power

21 July 2023

The International Monetary Fund now wants a new board of directors to be appointed to run Kenya Power as it extends its tentacles into the day-to-day management of the Kenyan economy, Business Daily reported.

Kenya to partner with Excel Services Corporation in nuclear ambitions

20 July 2023

The top leadership of the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority met with Excel CEO Donald Hoffman in Nairobi and discussed ways in which the country can tap into the company’s expertise, particularly in the area of improving NPP regulatory safeguards.

ACWA Power granted land for 10-GW wind project in Egypt

20 July 2023

ACWA Power, a Saudi-listed company, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) to allocate land for a 10-GW wind project.

State-run power utility Eskom cancels coal supply agreements, construction contracts worth $616mn

20 July 2023

The coal supply agreements and construction contracts are being investigated by South African authorities in a crackdown on crime at Eskom, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

German renewable energies investor JUWI building projects to generate 400 MW in South Africa

20 July 2023

Germany's JUWI Renewable Energies (JUWI) has 400 MW of engineering, procurement and construction projects at advanced stages of development for mines in South Africa.

Eskom former COO’s sudden departure could jeopardise time-critical projects at power utility

19 July 2023

Former Eskom chief operating officer Jan Oberholzer has parted ways with South Africa’s embattled state-owned power utility. Oberholzer officially retired in April this year, but was retained on a two-year contract to oversee four projects.

Norwegian renewable energy firm Scatec sells 40-MW solar project in Mozambique for $8.5mn

19 July 2023

A Norwegian renewable energy company, Scatec ASA (Scatec), has agreed to sell its 52.5% equity share in a 40-MW solar power plant in Mozambique to London-based Globeleq for $8.5mn.

Uganda’s Umeme push to increase connections even as concession nears end

19 July 2023

The company revealed that discussions are under way with the government to roll out a World Bank-funded Scale-up Connections project that will involve adding 1mn new customers to the grid.

Senegal to build gas-to-power Sandiara Power Plant

18 July 2023

Senegal is set to embark on the construction of the Sandiara Power Plant, a gas-to-power facility that aims to become a regional energy hub.

Solar and wind to supply more than 33% of world power by 2030

18 July 2023

A new analysis by RMI in partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund, reveals that surging solar, wind and battery capacity out to 2030 is now in line with ambitious net-zero scenarios.