Stortemelk Hydro, the third hydropower plant developed in South Africa by Renewable Energy Holdings (REH), started commercial operations on July 29. The 4.5 MW, R190-million project, which was awarded preferred bidder status under the second bid window of government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), is located near Clarens, in the Free State. Similar to the two hydropower plants previously.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

The Tanzania Rural Energy Agency (REA) recently announced the beginning of implementation of the Rural Electrification Program Phase III. In its 3rd phase, the project aims to electrify more than 7,873 villages in rural Tanzania over the next 5 years. 7,697 villages will be connected to the national grid, while the remaining 176 will be connected to other energy sources. The total cost of the project will be TZS7tn. TZS4tn will be spent on.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 10th August 2016

The construction of an alternative main power transmission line will restart soon and be complete by November to end nationwide power outages like the one experienced over the weekend. The set up of the Sh2.64 billion, 400-kilovolts Suswa-Nairobi power line under the project will help address devastating and massive power outages, Energy Cabinet secretary Charles Keter has said. The CS said the construction on the 100km Suswa-Isinya and the.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 10th August 2016

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Standard Bank of South Africa have concluded a deal to finance a $2-billion, 1 000 MW Amu coal-fired power plant, in Kenya.   ICBC, which has committed $1.2-billion to the project, has a 20% stake in Standard Bank, which will make available $300-million for the project.   The coal plant is being constructed by a consortium of local and international firms under investment vehicle.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 9th August 2016

Tanzania plans to spend 7 trillion shillings ($3.21 billion) over the next five years to connect about 1 million rural households to electricity, a senior government official said on Monday.   East Africa's second-biggest economy wants to use some of its natural gas reserves to end power shortages and boost industrial growth.   "The five-year rural electrification project whose implementation starts in this 2016/17 government.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 9th August 2016

Arusha — Brazil, an economic giant of South America, is keen to promote stronger economic ties with East Africa, its ambassador to Tanzania Carlos Alfonso iglesias Puente revealed here on Tuesday.   "The Brazilian business community already has a significant presence in Tanzania and Kenya, especially in construction, energy and solid waste management sectors," he said during his visit to the East African Community (EAC).... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 9th August 2016

Brazil has expressed interest to invest in the country's energy sector, especially generating bioelectricity and hydropower.   This was said in Dar es Salaam yesterday by the Brazil's Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Carlos Alfonso Puente, during his meeting with the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Professor Sospeter Muhongo.   Ambassador Puente told Prof Muhongo that his country has sufficient knowledge and experience in the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 8th August 2016

 On Monday, Kenya entered into an agreement with France for a sum of $37 million to facilitate the development of the east African country’s power sector through renewable power mini-grids.   The French embassy in Kenya said in a statement: “This 33 million euro [$37 million] financing will support the installation of renewable energy generation units (primarily solar photovoltaic [PV], but also in some cases wind.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 8th August 2016

 A Chinese company has commenced the construction of a major power transmission line project which will link grids of Ethiopia with Kenya. The firm, China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET) announced it has launched the construction of the $ 1.26 billion mega project this week.   The 500 KV transmission line which originates in Ethiopia’s Wolayita Sodo will have power transferring capacity of 2,000 MW and runs about.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 5th August 2016

A Chinese firm plans to construct a factory in Kenya for prepaid meters to supply power utility firms in East Africa as it eyes big cash from the expanding billing market.   Kenya Power chief executive Ben Chumo says the firm has sought the electricity distributor's advice on how to align their production with local market specifications.   Kenya Power has welcomed the move, citing lower costs for Kenyan made devices and employment.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 5th August 2016

 Lindi — Rural Energy Agency (REA) plans to electrify a total of 7,500 villages by 2021, Minister of Energy and Minerals, Professor Sospeter Muhongo, has said. He said as the government embarks on REA phase three, which is expected to take five years, all villages in the country will be connected with electricity.   REA phase three was launched on August 1, this year and that by 2021 there will be no single village in the.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 5th August 2016

 Kenya and Ethiopia have started the construction of a Sh126 billion power line that will run between the two countries.   The 1,045 kilometre line will have a transmitting capacity of 2,000MW and is expected to be completed by December 2018. Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) said of the 1,045 km power line, 600km will be in Kenya, while 445 will be in Ethiopia.   The line will traverse Marsabit, Samburu,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 4th August 2016