Page 11 - AfrElec Week 39

AfrElec
NEWS IN BRIEF
AfrElec
chairman of Ghana’s committee for the joint implementation of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) judgement, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, at the third Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire ITLOS judgement implementation meeting held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on September 19-20, 2019.
This was contained in a communique signed by Osafo-Maafo and the head
of Cote d’Ivoire State Mediator, Adama Toungara. According to the communique, the framework was submitted after Ghana had reviewed an earlier draft framework agreement on the maritime boundary, hydrocarbons and other natural resources received from Cote d’Ivoire in May 2018.
The communique stated that Cote d’Ivoire was also expected to study and analyse the document received from Ghana and present it to Ghana during the next session in Accra. Both countries agreed that further discussions would be held on the draft framework agreement at the next meeting to be held
in Accra, it added. The two countries have officially signed on the maps showing the maritime boundary line between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana in the Atlantic Ocean.
“Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana also agreed for the relevant institutions of both countries
to expeditiously study the feasibility of a project to build and operate a thermal power plant at the border of the two countries,
with natural gas fuel supplied from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and the power produced to be dispatched to both countries,” the communique further explained. GOVERNMENT OF GHANA
C O A L
Africa Coal Partners buys 45% of Mbuyelo Coal
Africa Coal Partners, an SPV set up and managed by Duet Group, announced today its acquisition of 45.18% of Mbuyelo Coal from Ichor Coal NV.
The agreed purchase price was set at EUR95mn ($103mn), with the transaction expected to close in Q1 2020, once regulatory requirements have been completed.
Mbuyelo is a South African coal producer supplying the national power utility Eskom. It operates three open pit mines with a minimum monthly production of 600,000 tonnes per month, thus averaging 7.2-8.0mn tonnes per year.
Eskom generates about 90% of the electricity in South Africa of which 90% with coal fired power plants.
Mbuyelo has for the past few years been investing in capacity building and technology upgrade to better serve the local demand.
Henry Gabay, CEO and Co-Founder
of Duet-Group, said: “We are very excited
by the opportunities offered by the coal industry in South Africa. South Africa is not yet in a position to switch completely into green energy, hence coal will remain a key component of South Africa’s energy portfolio for the foreseeable future. Reliable power production remains at the heart of Africa’s industrialisation and its ability to lift its citizens out of poverty.
Commenting on the transaction, Rirhandzu Siweya, CEO of Mbuyelo, said: “I welcome the arrival of an African focused investor that will help us grow and seize new opportunities in a very interesting environment for local coal players.”
DUET GROUP
R E N E W A B L E S
Egypt to use landfill gas to produce electricity
The Egyptian government is working on using landfill gas to produce electricity. Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Shaarawy stated on September 28 that the country would use the methane gas emitted by sanitary landfills in electricity production, consequently generating revenues to the state.
The private and public sectors will be key partners in the new landfill gas projects, he said, adding that the projects would be run by the private sector. Small enterprises and other non-governmental organisations will also be partners in the projects.
Concerning the solid waste management, the minister said the government’s plan on the management would last for 4year; the first phase will focus on the infrastructure to establish many factories to recycle solid waste by 60%, he said, adding that the plan targets 80% of recycling.
Week 39 02•October•2019
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