AfrElec - Africa Power Monitor

Mauritania tasks Meen/EPCM consortium with developing gas master plan

Mauritania’s Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy has tasked a consortium formed by a local firm and its South African partner with developing a master plan for the development of the country’s natural gas resources.

Saudi’s ACWA Power signs agreement to develop 200-MW Kom Ombo PV plant in Egypt

ACWA Power seals deal to build Egypt’s 200-MW Kom Ombo PV plant

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power has finalised the project agreements for Egypt’s 200-MW Kom Ombo solar PV plant.

Guterres calls for global support for Africa’s climate efforts

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for all countries to support Africa’s efforts to limit the effects of climate change and to invest $100bn in the continent’s green energy industry.

South Africa improves emissions targets in updated draft NDC

South Africa aims to reduce its annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 398-440mn tonnes per year by 2030, 28% less than its 2015-set targets.

South32 agrees to $200mn clean-up costs as part of mine sale to Seriti Resources

South32 has proposed revised terms for the sale of its four South African coal mines to Seriti Resources, and has agreed to pay $200mn of clean-up costs at the four sites.

DR Congo-hosted GERD talks end in failure

The latest round of talks to find an agreement on the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam have ended in failure in Kinshasa, DR Congo.

New green additions rise by nearly 50% in 2020

261 GW of new renewable power generating capacity was added globally in 2020, beating the previous record annual increase by almost 50%.

Anglo American leads South African hydrogen valley scheme

Anglo American and Engie are to work with a group of South African organisations to develop a hydrogen valley in the metals-rich Bushveld geological area in South Africa.

Eskom official calls for Ramaphosa to testify in Eskom case

Eskom’s former head of generation Matshela Koko has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to answer questions by the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture on allegations of political interference at the power utility.

South Africa tops G20 for coal power

South Africa is the most coal-reliant G20 nation, and must embrace cheap renewables to exit its electricity crisis and phase out coal, the Ember think-tank said in its recent Global Electricity Review 2021.

Canada, AfDB sign $104.8mn gender-focused Climate Fund for Africa

The Government of Canada and the African Development Bank have signed an agreement formalizing the Canada–African Development Bank Climate Fund (CACF)

Mozambique court orders Vale to disclose coal mining payments

Mozambique's Administrative Tribunal (TA) has sharply criticised Brazil’s Vale for its refusal to share information of public interest concerning its coal mining activities in the western province of Tete.

GERD talks set to resume in April in Kinshasa

Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia are set to hold talks on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Kinshasa in early April.

Chinese lending to Africa not transparent

Between 2000 and 2018, Chinese lending to Africa has been consistently above $10bn per year between 2012 and 2017, with a peak of $30mn in 2016, with infrastructure being the dominant sector.

Global green power progress is too slow

Wind and solar drive a record fall in coal generation in 2020, but the pace of change must be faster if climate targets are to be met

More problems for Mozambique LNG

ASWJ's latest campaign in Cabo Delgado appears to be directed at Total’s $20bn Mozambique LNG mega-project.

WOC to restart El-Farag gas field’s second stage next month

Waha Oil Co. (WOC), a subsidiary of Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC), is on track to bring the second stage of the El-Farag natural gas field back on line in less than two weeks.

Turkey’s Karpowership to sign 20 year electricity contract with South Africa

South Africa offers considerable potential for hydrogen economy

Hydrogen could play an important role in the South African economy, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said this week.

Exxaro warns rail blockage could endanger SA coal exports

South African coal exporter Exxaro warned that maintenance problems on Transnet’s rail freight network could put up to 2mn tonnes of its coal exports from Richard’s Bay at risk in 2021.

Africa’s wind growth stalls in 2020 as barriers to investment remain

Africa’s wind sector still lags behind the rest of the world, providing just 0.9% of new capacity in 2020

South Africa launches Window 5 of IPP bidding

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has announced the opening of Bidding Window 5 of the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP).

20% of world’s corporate giants set net-zero targets

Work towards reaching net-zero targets must be robust, transparent and urgent if the Paris Agreement’s goals are to be met.

Mombasa refinery could be revived with biofuels plan