Power Sector And Other Related News Stories For Wednesday April 12th 2023
Discos’ Illiquidity, Others May Constrain Implementation of NERC-ordered Bilateral Contracts with Gencos
The non-buoyancy of many of the Distribution Companies (Discos) and the perceived opacity of the project details may pose serious challenge in the implementation of the bilateral power contracts, which the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has instructed some Discos to activate with Generation Companies (Gencos), THISDAY has learnt.
NERC had in a letter sent to three Discos namely: Eko, Ikeja, and Abuja, instructed them to commence implementation of the bilateral power contracts with Gencos with effect from March 31, 2023.
Eko and Abuja Discos have confirmed the NERC’s instruction, saying they were working towards commencing full implementation this year as instructed by the regulator.
Mojec’s Renewable Subsidiary Signs $100m Clean Energy Deal with Real Estate Firm
Virtuitis Solaris, a renewable energy subsidiary of Mojec International, has signed a deal with LandWey Investment Limited, a Nigerian real estate firm to develop the Isimi Lagos Solar Farm.
The Isimi Lagos Solar Farm is a renewable energy project aimed at promoting sustainable development and reducing the carbon footprint in Nigeria.
Speaking during the deal signing ceremony in Lagos, Group Chief Executive Officer of Mojec International, Ms. Chantelle Abdul, said the project would cost about $100 million.
According to the partners, the Isimi Lagos Solar Farm would be a 50 megawatts (MW) solar photovoltaic power plant, with the potential to scale to 100mw and located in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.
AECN Decries over One-year Electricity Debt Manufacturing Companies Owe Aba Power
The South-eastern zone of the Association of Electricity Consumers of Nigeria (AECN) has decried the debt burden on Aba Power Limited that arose from the refusal of big manufacturing firms to pay for the power they utilise.
The AECN also criticised the level of energy theft in the Aba Ring-fenced Area in Abia State.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of South-east AECN, Mr. Joe Ubani, who described tampering of electricity facilities as a key security threat and deplored the, “practice where some manufacturing companies owe Aba Power for over one year, with some firms conniving with corrupt technical staff members to bypass their meters.”
Africa’s Energy Sector will Need to Transform Radically — These Are the Five Biggest Challenges
The relatively high risks that investors assign to most African countries, as compared to the rest of the world, mean they demand a higher return to justify investments
The future of Africa’s energy sector is getting increasing attention from policymakers and the private sector. As demand for energy rises, current energy systems must grow rapidly to meet it. This must be done in reliable, resilient and affordable ways – while “staying the course” of climate compatibility and ensuring access for all.
Internationally, the future of energy systems has been a hotly debated topic ever since the link between fossil fuel combustion and the negative impacts of climate change became widely known. Energy transitions – pathways to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy – have long been been debated in Europe and North America. One visible outcome, among many others, is the increased use of electric vehicles.
Developer Plans Two Offshore Wind Projects Using 18-MW Turbines
A joint venture (JV) created to develop large-scale offshore wind projects said it plans to use what at present would be the world’s largest wind turbines at two projects located between Spain and Portugal.
IberBlue Wind, a JV that includes Ireland’s Simply Blue Group along with Spanish companies Proes Consultores and FF New Energy Ventures, on April 11 announced that as many as 109 turbines—each designed to produce 18 MW of power—would be installed at the Juan Sebastián Elcano and Creoula floating offshore wind projects off the coasts of Pontevedra and Viana do Castelo.
https://www.powermag.com/developer-plans-two-offshore-wind-projects-using-18-mw-turbines/
Wind and Solar Achieve a Record High of 12% of Global Electricity in 2022
Wind and solar reached a record 12% of global electricity in 2022, up from 10% in 2021, according to a report launched today by energy think tank Ember – and experts predict that power sector emissions have peaked.
Ember’s fourth annual Global Electricity Review presents electricity data from 2022 across 78 countries, representing 93% of global electricity demand. Ember asserts that its open data and in-depth analysis provide the first accurate picture of the global electricity transition in 2022.
https://electrek.co/2023/04/11/wind-solar-global-electricity-2022/
Pretoria Still Without Electricity after Pylons Collapse During Storm
Significant parts of Pretoria east and north are still without electricity following the collapse of a number of electricity pylons during a storm on Sunday night. The collapse of the pylons, partly due to vandalism, also resulted in the closure of the N4 in both directions because of electricity cables on the highway and trucks caught up in the destruction.
On Tuesday morning, Tshwane City Manager Johann Mettler confirmed that the metro had written an urgent letter to Eskom in which he requested the power utility to assist the municipality with labour, materials and equipment in a bid to fast-track the restoration of power to areas that are still affected by the massive outage.
https://nnn.ng/pretoria-still-without-electricity-after-pylons-collapse-during-storm/
Emissions from Global Electricity Generation May Have Now Peaked
Emissions from global electricity generation may have peaked in 2022 after climbing 1.3% to a new record high, says New Scientist, reporting on a widely-covered new report from thinktank Ember. Reuters says wind and solar accounted for a record 12% of global electricity generation last year, according to the report, with low-carbon sources making up 39% of supplies overall. It adds that wind and solar grew by 17% and 24%, respectively, with this growth covering 80% of the rise in global demand. The newswire adds:
