AfrElec - Africa Power Monitor

Ghana connects 22-MW solar project to grid

Ghana has commissioned its largest utility-scale solar project to date in the northeast of the country as the country aims to lessen its dependence on hydropower in rural areas.

Sudan appeals to UN Security Council to progress GERD talks

The Sudanese government has appealed to the UN Security Council to break the deadlock in talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Rwanda’s Rusumo HPP to open in 2021

The first unit at the 80-MW Regional Rusumo hydroelectric power project in Rwanda could be operational by the end of 2021.

Emissions set to bounce back with a vengeance in 2021

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are forecast to increase by 4.8% to 33bn tonnes in 2021, the largest rise since 2010, with the global economy’s post-COVID-19 recovery expected to be particularly carbon intensive.

Shell, Equinor call on Tanzania to make “critical decisions” about LNG project

Representatives of Royal Dutch Shell (UK/Netherlands) and Equinor (Norway) have urged Tanzania’s government to wrap up talks on an ambitious LNG project as quickly as possible.

KenGen completes drilling at Ethiopia’s Tulu Moye geothermal project

Kenya’s KenGen has completed drilling of the first well for the Tulu Moye geothermal project in the Oromia region of south-west Ethiopia.

Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund supports 30-MW solar plant in Burkina Faso

The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund has agreed to lend €29mn for the development of a 30-MW solar plant in Burkina Faso.

Egypt, Sudan reject Ethiopian GERD data sharing offer

Egypt and Sudan have rejected a new Ethiopian initiative to share data ahead of Addis Ababa’s planned second filling of the Nile Dam reservoir in the summer.

Kibo Energy moves close to PPA with Mozambique’s EDM

Kibo Energy and its local joint venture partners have agreed on the next steps towards the ultimate finalisation of a power purchase agreement at the company’s Benga power plant project in Mozambique.

Zimbabwe brings in Russia to develop nuclear energy

Zimbabwe has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia’s Rosatom to explore the possibility of nuclear power in the country in a bid to reduce the country’s reliance on hydro and coal.

Major economies still reliant on coal

China, India, the US and Japan dominated coal generation in 2020, and they must take the lead in reducing emissions.

Senegal secures funding, support for gas pipeline plan

Senegal’s sovereign wealth fund and the state natural gas concern, Senegal Gas Network (SGN), have secured financing and support for the government’s plan to establish a domestic gas pipeline network.

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.