Page 11 - AfrElec Week 30 2021

AfrElec NEWS IN BRIEF AfrElec

OFF- GRID systems, PAYG LPG clean cooking services Describing the arrangement mostly
and solar-powered water pumps for farmers. between the ECG and the Independent Power
Bboxx, Geocoton to provide Customers only pay for what they use, which Producers as inimical to the economy, Opoku
is important for a country where 43% of the
Prempeh indicated that any power contract
off-grid power in Burkina population live on less than $1.90 a day. in the future will be devoid of such clauses to
Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and Co-Founder
guarantee value for money.
Faso of Bboxx, commented: “While energy access governing board of the ECG, the minister
At a swearing in of the newly constituted
rates in Burkina Faso are very low, the
Two million people in Burkina Faso will have potential to positively impact people’s lives for urged the board to turn the economic fortunes
access to clean energy through a joint venture the better through clean energy is immense. of the power distributor around.
between Bboxx and Geocoton. This is a major Forging strategic partnerships is core to “We have managed to bring onto ourselves
feat for Burkina Faso where only 5% of its how we bring together the financing and numerous contracts of over 30 where the
rural population has access to energy. momentum required to provide millions of business model is simply this, if I secure
The Burkina Faso government has people with much-needed clean energy.” that contract I am a millionaire in Ghana.
ambitious plans to ramp up energy access, “As we gear up to COP26, we cannot This is a huge indictment on ECG advising
with electrification rates currently at 18%, let our foot off the gas if we are to make government. And there are those that are
falling to 5% for the rural population. meaningful progress on meeting UN telling me that this is what is done, but I go to
The joint venture between Bboxx and Sustainable Development Goal 7 – clean Europe and America and I don’t see any take
Geocoton Advens Group is the first step in energy for all. Now is the time for even more or pay, why, is it because we are blacks and we
a long-term strategic partnership that will collaboration, innovation and action. Across have different international contracts.”
see the two companies expand clean energy the globe, the ‘build back better’ agenda has “Who will not like to put up a company
access. taken centre stage – but to truly accelerate that will sell to ECG and whether ECG buys
Not only will two million people in greener and fairer economic development, we or not he takes his money. Who wouldn’t
Burkina Faso have access to clean, reliable need to bring people out of energy poverty.” like such a company? But the truth is that we
and affordable energy, but the partnership Hamayun added. can’t afford it, take or pay is inimical to the
will also employ more than 500 people locally, economy”, he explained.
spurring economic development and local “So those who sat at ECG and negotiated
opportunities. because they were staff and put it before
Through this joint venture, the companies POLICY the board and the board too approved it,
are targeting energy provision in the we should all hold ourselves accountable
established cotton farming market, the wider Ghana energy minister including the ministry’s and ministers that we
value chain and distribution networks within all got it wrong, so going forward there will be
these communities, and the broader Burkina indicts ECG management, no take or pay’ he stressed.
Faso population. This comes as instability The Energy Minister was also unhappy
and insecurity in East and Northeast Burkina past boards, others for sad of the ECG’s power supply monopoly in
Faso are having a big impact on people’s the southern part of the country, saying the
livelihoods. state of company company continues to post losses at the end of
Bboxx will be able to provide vital energy each fiscal year.
access in these areas due to Geocoton Advens Ghana Energy Minister Mathew Opoku He blamed the situation on poor
Group’s operations in this area, enabling Prempeh said government has taken a firm management, but is demanding a change,
people to generate an income. Despite the decision not to enter into a take or pay warning the country may be forced to look
pandemic, demand for energy has been agreement in the power sector, accusing the elsewhere for competent management to run
strong. management of the Electricity Company of ECG.
The partnership will introduce services Ghana, past boards, among others for the sad
such as Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) solar home state of company.

POLICY
Abuja, Lagos in darkness

as Nigeria’s electricity grid

collapses again

Several Nigerian cities including the capital,
Abuja, and Lagos were plunged into darkness
Wednesday after the national electricity grid
collapsed yet again.
Electricity distribution companies
announced a breakdown of the grid, the
fourth this year, after extended hours of power
outage experienced in many parts of the

Week 30 29•July•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P11