Page 11 - AfrElec Week 16

AfrElec
NEWS IN BRIEF
AfrElec
COVID-19
Côte d’Ivoire Offers
Electricity Payment Relief
Amid COVID-19 Crisis
In several countries across West Africa, Covid-19 has disrupted the way of life, stranding millions of families at home. This has forced citizens and public utility companies to design coping systems while ensuring basic coverage needs are met.
In Côte d’Ivoire, the postponement of
bill payment deadlines includes electricity. Authorities have decided to extend payment deadlines for April and May 2020 for all households. The payment deadline from April has been extended to July 2020, and from May to August 2020. This measure affects more than a million households, or more than six million Ivorians.
“People have an additional three months to pay these bills. This measure means that no penalty will be applied to customers, and that there will be no suspension of the supply of electricity due to non-payment from April 1. In addition, the settlement of these invoices can be made in several payments over the deferral period,” says Abdourahmane Cissé, Ivorian Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energies.
Added to the measures taken by authorities to reduce household expenses, national electricity networks are weakening across the continent, due the population being confined to their homes. In several African capitals
and large cities, the national media report that power cuts and the application in certain cases of rotations by district in the supply of electricity.
It is in this context that the government of Nigeria has decided to install hybrid solar systems to reduce the effects of load shedding in COVID-19 patient care centers. Mini hybrid solar power plants have been
installed by the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency in care centers for people infected with COVID-19 in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos State, as well as Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria.
ESKOM
Eskom to repurpose coal plants
Eskom is seeking low-carbon solutions to repurpose the coal-fired stations that are scheduled for decommissioning, according to tender documents, Bloomberg reported.
The state-owned power company has published an expression of interest for proposals, focusing on its Komati, Grootvlei and Camden coal-fired plants, to reduce
“its environmental impact through the establishment of sustainable low-carbon industries at previous carbon-intensive power plants.”
The utility, which accounts for about 42% of the nation’s total greenhouse gases, also wants the solutions to include job creation and the reskilling of employees. Most of
its generation fleet uses coal to produce electricity.
Eskom said another benefit would be the “potential creation of spin-off special purpose vehicles, in which Eskom may choose to
have a shareholding, thus creating additional revenue streams.”
GRID
Vandals destroy high- voltage underground cable
in Nairobi
Police have arrested a man who vandalising high-voltage underground cables in Lang’ata, Nairobi.
“Power supply in parts of Nairobi was interrupted early this (Monday) morning after a section of high-voltage underground cable that provides electricity to the City Centre and its environs was vandalised last night. The critical power cable (220kv), which evacuates bulk power supply from Embakasi Substation to the City Centre was vandalised near Langáta Estate,” said Kenya Power.
The man was caught after police received a tip off on the vandalism on. Two of his colleagues managed to escape.
Five pieces of Earth cables - about ten meters long, an adjustable spanner and hacksaw were recovered. Gloves and overalls were also found at the scene.
Nothing was reported stolen but there was extensive damage.
“Areas affected by the service disruption include parts of the Central Business District, Gikomba, Lavington, Upper Hill, Kileleshwa, Muthurwa, Kilimani and sections of Waiyaki Way, Industrial Area, Jogoo Road and Likoni Road,” said Kenya Power.
GAS-FIRED GENERATION
Savannah Petroleum
announces change of name
to Savannah Energy
Savannah Petroleum, the British independent energy company focused around activities in Nigeria and Niger, has announced that it is changing its name to Savannah Energy.
The change of name reflects the Company’s increasingly diversified asset portfolio. Savannah is now a leading energy producer in Nigeria and, via its controlling interest in the Accugas midstream business, the Company currently provides gas to power stations accounting for over 10% of Nigeria’s power generation capacity and operates one of the largest privately-owned gas transportation and distribution systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
In Niger, Savannah is focused on developing its flagship assets in the prolific Agadem Rift Basin, with plans to deliver first oil in the near term.
Trading in the Company’s shares on AIM will commence under the new name Savannah Energy PLC and the Company’s ticker will change to SAVE with effect from
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