AfrElec - Africa Power Monitor

Global coal use to remain at record high says IEA

Global coal use rose to a record high in 2022, and with strong growth forecast in Asia for power generation and industrial applications, coal is expected to remain close to an all-time high in 2023, the International Energy Agency predicted.

Snow on the ground in Johannesburg in July sees load shedding return

Electricity outages had eased recently but that relief was brought to an abrupt end this week as a cold front swept across the country, bringing freezing temperatures and, in Johannesburg, snow.

ArcelorMittal South Africa posts $25mn loss in half year to June 2023 due to worsening electricity shortage

ArcelorMittal South Africa posted a $25mn loss induced by electricity shortages in the interim period to June 30 but expects steel demand from renewable energy projects to boost sales over the remainder of 2023.

Russia to pursue 3.7 GW of electric power projects in Africa, President Putin says

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

Africa’s untapped offshore wind energy potential

A background paper by the African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that Africa has an annual offshore renewable energy production potential of 44.52 TWh of electricity.

Kenya Power delayed payments to IPPs attracting interest - report

Debt owed to independent power producers in Ghana hits more than $2bn

Algeria accepts 77 proposals for establishing 2-GW solar plants

Algeria's state-owned gas utility Sonelgaz said on July 26 it had accepted 77 proposals from local and international firms bidding to establish 2 GW of solar energy plants after opening the technical bids in an auction.

Meridiam completes acquisition of renewables platform Rift Valley Energy Tanzania

Costs surge in offshore wind, rattling the sector

Swedish giant utility Vattenfall recently halted a wind farm project, the Norfolk Boreas offshore site off the UK, citing costs that had become inflated by 40%.

InvestAfrica set to secure 35% stake in Kenya’s battery distributor

Dubai-based InvestAfrica FZCO is expected to invest more money in Kenya’s cash-strapped battery distributor Eveready EA Plc, more than the KES145mn ($1.02mn) the Nairobi Stock Exchange says it needs to be in a better cash position.

Aseel Oilfield secures energy, minerals deals in Zanzibar

The government of Zanzibar has entered into deals with Dubai-based Aseel Oilfield Services involving investments in energy and mineral projects, a development that is intended to diversify the island’s economy that is largely dependent on tourism.

South Africa’s power utility Eskom needs more time, resources to finance grid expansion, says minister

South African Minister for Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said strengthening the grid would take more time and resources than the struggling state-run power utility Eskom could afford.

Suspension of electricity generation at South Africa's nuclear facility, Koeberg, has cost the economy $6.7bn in 18 months, energy expert says

A South African energy expert estimates that the closure of one unit at the country’s sole NPP has cost the economy $6.7bn as well as refurbishment costs. The Koeberg unit, which can generate 920 MW of electricity, has been shut for 18 months.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

AfrElec: Nigeria’s Royal Power and Energy plans expansion to DRC