AfrElec - Africa Power Monitor

Engie, OffGridBox to pioneer solar container project in Rwanda

France’s Engie and African solar-kit provider OffGridBox are to work together to supply electricity, drinking water and Wi-Fi in Rwanda by uniting their expertise in decentralised energy and container-based solar systems.

Eskom to resume building transmission line in KwaZulu-Natal

Eskom has said it will resume construction of the 123-km transmission line running through uMgungundlovu and uThukela District Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal Province.

SA’s Thabametsi coal project in severe doubt as Kepco withdraws from coal

South Africa’s 630-MW Thabametsi coal-fired power plant faces an uncertain future after its main contractor, South Korea’s Kepco, said that it would no longer invest in new overseas coal power ventures.

Nigeria’s MAPCo to raise $1.2bn to finance new meters

Nigeria’s Meter Assets Finance and Management Co. aims to raise NIR480bn ($1.2bn) in three years to supply electricity meters to Nigerian consumers in a bid to improve payment discipline and improve distribution revenues.

Scatec Solar raises African exposure with acquisition of SN Power

Norway’s Scatec Solar has bought SN Power, a leading hydropower developer and IPP, from the Norfund in a $1.16bn deal that gives it access to 1.4 GW of hydro assets in Uganda, the Philippines and Laos.

Egypt begins work on 2,000-MW wind complex

Egyptian Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mohamed Shaker said that work had begun to build 2,000-MW of new onshore wind capacity in the Red Sea Governorate, adding that 500 MW had already been earmarked for development by Siemens.

Nigeria’s PIB envisions changes in domestic gas sector

Nigeria's Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is still under discussion in the National Assembly, aims to make domestic gas sales a more lucrative proposition.

IEA dismisses near-term peak in oil demand, sees firm outlook for gas

Kenya opens 105-MW Menengaï geothermal plant

Kenya’s state-owned Geothermal Development Co. (GDC) has opened the 105-MW Menengaï geothermal power plant.

Private generators challenge KenGen’s dominance

A new report from the Kenyan Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has welcomed the rise of new private generating companies in a market still dominated by state-owned KenGen.

Nigeria again delays new tariffs

The Nigerian government has extended the suspension of the new electricity tariff by one week.

Solar crowned king of global energy markets

Solar may now be the cheapest source of electricity in history, but the IEA has called on governments to invest more in renewables or risk missing the Paris Agreement goals

Ghana’s Cenpower signs gas supply deal with government

Ghana National Petroleum Corp. (GNPC) has agreed to supply natural gas to Cenpower Generation Co. (CGC), the operator of the Kpone Independent Power Plant (KIPP) near Accra.

AfDB courts more Japanese investment

The African Development Bank has urged Japanese investors to collaborate with local partners in Africa in order to stimulate growth on the continent.

South32 says coal sale to Seriti Resources will complete in 2020

South African coal miner South32 is confident that it can sell South Africa Energy Coal (SAEC), its last remaining asset, in the country’s coal sector by the end of 2020.

Mainstream completes testing at Perdekraal East wind farm

Irish-based Mainstream Renewable Power said it had completed grid testing at the Perdekraal East wind farm in South Africa.

NNPC extends oil-for-fuels scheme

Voltalia to build 12-MW solar plant at Caledonia Mining’s Zimbabwe gold mine

AIM-listed Caledonia Mining has appointed Voltalia to build a 12-MW solar power plant at the Blanket gold mine in Zimbabwe.

Fossil fuel producers not prepared to meet Paris targets

None of the world’s fossil fuel producers will be able to limit climate warming to 2°C by 2050, according to new research published this week

Total sees oil demand peaking in 2030

South Africa sets date for emergency power IPP bids

The South African government has set November 24 as the date for private power developers to submit bids for the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP).

Nigeria aims for 30% green target by 2030

Nigerian Science and Technology Minister Ogbonnaya Onu said Nigeria would be able to generate 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, as currently called for by the National Energy Policy.

Africa has 59,000 GW of onshore wind potential

Africa has the potential to generate almost 180,000 TWh per year of electricity from 59,000 GW of onshore wind farms, 250 times more that the continent’s current power demand.

AfDB to fund climate management in Niger

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is to give Niger $5.6mn in funding in order to manage climate shocks, renewable energy and resilience to drought.

Vestas to supply 252 MW of turbines to Egypt’s Suez 1 wind project

Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) has placed a 252 MW order with Vestas for the Gulf of Suez 1 wind project in the Gulf of Suez.