Page 13 - AfrElec Week 10 2021

AfrElec NEWS IN BRIEF AfrElec

“Building and operating a project of this
nature closes the first of many circles for us as
a fully-
integrated IPP and we celebrate the
completion of Kruisvallei, as an example of
our capabilities and what we can bring to the
market in the future,” stated Matteo Brambilla,
CEO, Red Rocket.

THERMAL GENERATION
you-go solar home solutions for off-grid The board of power utility Eskom says it
Africa, has announced its inaugural Inspiring will be investigating its group CEO André Africa50, Orabank sign loan
Women’s Awards to celebrate women’s de Ruyter, regarding an allegation of racism
empowerment and influence in rural made against him. for Senegal’s Malicounda
communities. This investigation follows allegations
Based on peer feedback, the 10 most made by suspended chief procurement officer power plant
inspirational female staff, including field Solly Tshitangano against De Ruyter earlier
agents and customer care representatives this month, at a meeting with Parliament’s Pan-African infrastructure investment
of the solar company’s Kenyan network, standing committee on public accounts. platform Africa50 has teamed up with
have been recognised for their outstanding “The allegation not only brings Eskom into Oragroup, a subsidiary of Orabank, to provide
contributions. The award is part of Azuri’s disrepute, but it also threatens to detract and a bridging loan of XOF50bn to allow the
Brighter Lives initiative which works to distract the focus of the executive team and construction of the Malicounda power station
empower rural women in Sub-Saharan the GCE in particular from their critical job of in Senegal scheduled to be completed at the
Africa through access to technology, in-depth restoring Eskom to operational and financial end of 2021.
commercial and technical training and equal sustainability.” Construction of the €150-million project
opportunities employment. It said it will appoint an independent began in October 2019. Malicounda will be a
One of the winners, Dynnah Pesa, said: “I senior counsel to conduct the investigation. 120 MW combined cycle power plant situated
am so grateful to hear that I am inspiring to The counsel will be empowered to interview 85 km from Dakar. It is owned by Melec
my peers. I was the first one to begin selling any person that may be of assistance in the Powergen, Africa50, and Senegal’s national
the items in Kakamega and so happy to now probe, and consider any evidence, and will electricity company, Senelec.
be a team leader. I strive to encourage my then report back to the board and make Funds for the project were realised from
team so that they can succeed and in turn recommendations. Orabank Senegal, Orabank Benin, Orabank
provide for their families. I am so happy to see The board said it is committed to Burkina and other partner banks of the
that they voted for me. This has given me a transparency and will provide updates at Orabank Group within The West African
push to keep on encouraging my team.” critical stages of the investigation. Monetary and Economic Union.
Nominations for the awards included Africa50, which holds major financial
recommendations from agents inspired to stake in the project, is joined by the African
join Azuri from seeing female role models Development Bank, which serves as the lead
in their jobs, team leaders impressed by HYDRO senior debt arranger. There are also plans by
their colleagues’ work ethic and appreciative Africa50 and its partners to raise long-term
new-starters looking to celebrate their female Kruisvallei HPP comes senior debt for the Malicounda project.
mentors. The project — which plans to make use of
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Energy, online in South Africa more environmentally friendly technologies
Hon. Charles Keter, said: “On this than older plants — would help Senegal’s
International Women’s day, I would like to Red Rocket has announced the start of transition towards a cleaner, more accessible
offer my congratulations to the winners of the operations at the Kruisvallei Hydropower and cheaper electricity, as well as providing
Inspiring Women’s Awards. I trust this public Plant in the Free State, South Africa. job opportunities.
recognition will inspire even more women The plant comprises the third hydropower
to join the renewable energy industry and project to be procured under South Africa’s
support Kenya’s transition to clean energy for Renewable Energy Independent Power
all.” Producer Procurement Program, having been
AZURI TECHNOLOGIES awarded in Bid Window 4, and is expected
to provide a reliable electricity source in the
region.
ESOM With construction commencing on
March 26, 2019, the plant is split into two
Eskom investigates racism run-of-river hydropower plants that combine
to supply 4 MW of hydroelectric power.
allegations against CEO The facility comprises two turbines that are
expected to generate an estimated 24 GWh.

Week 10 11•March•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P13