Page 10 - AfrElec Week 01

AfrElec
NEWS IN BRIEF
AfrElec
commenced his role in Arusha, Tanzania on 2 January.
The new CEO is a seasoned Kenyan energy expert and a Chevening alumnus, who has extensively researched regional energy markets and quantified the economic benefits of integrating the East African Community (EAC) energy markets.
The EREA will work towards promoting vital thematic areas such as harmonisation of policies and facilitate the establishment of an efficient market or power pool for the EAC.
The association is expected to work closely with the EAC as one of its organs to also monitor, advice, increase competition, and promote the independence of utility regulation.
Mabea said that the EAC was poised
to reap hugely in terms of energy policy harmonisation. “The alignment of energy policies, otherwise referred to as an integration of energy markets, is meant to promote regional economic development in East Africa.”
HYDRO
Egypt sees opportunity
GERD agreement in Addis
Ababa meeting
Egypt sees a “real opportunity” to overcome ongoing disagreements related to the GERD crisis, the country’s Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aaty said during a recent technical meeting in Addis Ababa on
Wednesday.
The Ethiopian capital hosted this week the
fourth meeting of irrigation ministers and technical delegations from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, to discuss the rules of filling and operating the contentious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a $4bn project that Egypt fears could negatively impact the country’s water supply.
Officials from the World Bank also attended the meeting.
At the opening session of the meeting, which took place over two days in Addis Ababa, Abdel Aaty said that the delegations present should focus their attention on technical issues in order to reach an agreement on the filling and operation of the Ethiopian Dam.
Points of discussion included establishing rules for filling the Renaissance Dam in a way that allows Ethiopia to generate hydroelectric power, bolster development and expand electricity access in the country, as well as measures to reduce drought, which may coincide with periods of filling the dam, Abdel Aaty said.
Other important points of discussion included establishing “fair and balanced” operating rules for the GERD, which should enable Ethiopia to generate hydroelectric energy in a sustainable manner while maintaining the operation of the Aswan High Dam, located on the northern border between Sudan and Egypt.
Points of disagreement lie in numerical values associated with drought limits, as well as the dam’s status during changes to water conditions.
“We can bridge the gap between us on these issues. This round of negotiations is
aimed at exchanging some ideas and concepts that we hope will contribute to reaching a comprehensive agreement of mutual benefit regarding filling and operating the dam in accordance with the Declaration of Principles Agreement for the year 2015,” he said.
Zesco close to completing Kafue Gorge Lower HPP
Zambian power utility Zesco aims to complete the construction the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Project hydropower plant funded by the Chinese government in a bid to boost electricity generation.
Victor Mundende, Managing Director
of Zesco Limited, said that Kafue Gorge Lower was currently under construction and was almost nearing completion. It will have significant impact on the current power deficit the country was facing.
The official said the first generator at the 750MW power plant will be synchronised in April, with the rest of the units following in a phased approach until the end of 2020, state- broadcaster quoted him as saying.
He said that the utility was making frantic efforts to find a lasting solution to the current power crisis the country was facing which has resulted in frequent power cuts.
The power utility will continue to pursue alternative energy projects some of which were already in the pipeline he added.
Construction of the power plant started in 2015 and is being constructed by China’s Sinohydro Corp.
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Week 01 09•January•2020