The Energy sector received a major boost yesterday when US President Barack Obama's government gave Kenya grants worth Sh700 million for green energy projects.   Speaking at the signing ceremony witnessed by Obama, Deputy President William Ruto said the money will be used to fund clean energy projects in the country.   "We have been working on increasing power generation in the country, so these grants will allow us to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd September 2016

 More than $1 billion in debt and financing commitments from U.S. agencies and private investors is set to be announced on Wednesday for U.S. President Barack Obama's signature Africa energy initiative, Power Africa, a top USAID official said.   The latest deals were finalized around a U.S.-Africa business forum on the sidelines of annual U.N. meetings in New York this week, USAID chief Gayle Smith said in an interview with Reuters..... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 22nd September 2016

 Kenya Power has been named the most innovative firm at the African Investor's CEO Institutional Investment Summit awards for its aggressive electricity project targeting humble households.   Kenya Power's World Bank-funded Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid project connects low-end customers primarily those in the rural areas and informal settlements with electricity.   The firm has increased sales through the initiative.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 22nd September 2016

 The research findings are derived from a method that identifies existing energy infrastructure. This shows that partial investment has already been provided, and managers as well as technicians continue to operate and maintain the infrastructure. The study authors built a custom-made multi-layer spatial analysis and used satellite night images to spot rural mini-grids.   The study provided a map of three infrastructure categories:.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st September 2016

 Several neighbouring countries of Ethiopia are showing choice of fulfilling their electric power demand by purchasing from the country. Recently, Tanzania has announced readiness to sign 400 MW power purchase deal with Ethiopia. The project brings nations towards a consensuses of utilizing the river Nile water resource together considerately. An electric power transmission to neighbouring Kenya is on progress. Ethiopia is also spreading.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 20th September 2016

 Kenya Power has started work on a major project to boost the electricity supply network in and around Nairobi, backed by financing from the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China.   Kenya Power chief executive officer and managing director Ben Chumo said in an interview with ESI Africa that the underground cabling initiative had begun around the Kenyan capital at a cost of $128 million, supported by a concessional loan from the Exim.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 20th September 2016

 The department of energy was tight-lipped on Friday over the awarding of a tender for the controversial nuclear build programme to the son of a close friend of President Jacob Zuma.   When approached for comment, departmental spokesperson Thandiwe Maimane said by email: "For now the department of energy will not be commenting further on the matter.   The Mail & Guardian reported that Shantan Reddy, the son of.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

 Kenya's market for decentralised renewables is the fastest-moving in Africa   Kenya’s market for decentralised renewables is the fastest-moving in Africa. Already 15 to 20 percent of Kenyan households use solar lighting, and the country is home to a pioneering green mini-grids programme, thousands of biodigesters and 3,000 megawatts (MW) of micro-hydro systems.   I was recently invited to share Kenya’s experiences.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th September 2016

 A $200m project to convert methane into electricity is poised to change the lives of nearly 2m people in the mineral-rich Central African region—a major relief for the economies of Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).   Located on the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, lies the gigantic KivuWatt methane-fired power plant. The plant reflects Rwanda’s ambitions to be one of.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th September 2016

 A $200m project to convert methane into electricity is poised to change the lives of nearly 2m people in the mineral-rich Central African region—a major relief for the economies of Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).   Located on the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, lies the gigantic KivuWatt methane-fired power plant. The plant reflects Rwanda’s ambitions to be one of.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th September 2016

 Continuing its global growth, Mainstream Renewable Power has opened its fourth wind farm in South Africa: an 80MW facility in the Umsobumvo region of the country.   Investing €120m to satisfy the needs of an estimated 70,000 households, Mainstream’s latest international project in South Africa sees the Irish company’s global footprint grow ever stronger.   Following what the company claims is a decline in.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th September 2016

 Sinohydro Corp. has released the commercial and technical feasibility study for the Ngaka minemouth power plant project in southeast Tanzania. The project is owned by Intra Energy Corp.   Financial evaluation of the project is expected to be released in early October.   According to the feasibility study, there is potential for a commercially viable 270 MW power plant, comprising 2 x 135 MW PCI boilers with super-high.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th September 2016