Johannesburg — The African continent could generate nearly a quarter of its energy needs using indigenous, clean, renewable energy by 2030 writes SHARON KYATUSIIMIRE.   "Africa holds some of the best renewable energy resources in the world in the form of biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind," Adnan Z. Amin, the IRENA Director-General said last week.   "This, combined with the precipitous drop of.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th October 2015

Ethiopia’s Gilgel Gibe III hydroelectric power project began power generation, APA can report on Monday.The Dam, highest Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam in Africa, will have a total installed capacity of 1,870mw. This will increase Ethiopia’s power generation capacity by 234 percent, according to Alemayehu Tegenu, Cabinet Affairs Minister, and former Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy. The power will provide an.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 14th October 2015

During the just concluded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) expo at Gikondo in Kigali, many visitors crammed around one stand marvelling at 'magical' stoves.   These were not ordinary stoves as they are powered by only one piece of charcoal, hydrogen, and are connected to electricity or four radio batteries using a phone charger.   "Considering daily feeding needs of a family, school fees, rent and other.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 14th October 2015

Implementing its second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) in the coming five years, Ethiopia will endeavor to boost its power generation to at least 17,000 MW, said Ethiopia’s President Mulatu Teshome. Having completed the implementation of its first GTP, the East African country in September launched the second GTP, which the president said is a decisive chapter in the country’s development, designed to realize the first half.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 14th October 2015

 The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has approved a US$965,000 grant to support the preparation of a turnkey hydropower plant in Saltinho, Guinea Bissau hydropower  The plant is expected to have a capacity of 20MW, said AfDB. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s Energy Week in September. The upcoming hydropower plant will be interconnected by a transmission line to Bissau.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 12th October 2015

It’s no secret that Africa’s economic development has been stifled by the shortage of electricity across the continent. The Africa Progress Report 2015 puts theannual electricity-related economic loss at 2 percent to 4 percent of GDP. In Ghana and Tanzania, electricity shortages are costing businesses 15 percent of sales. Over 600 million people are getting restless waiting for power. South Africa alone accounts for 50 percent of.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 9th October 2015

Electricity exports from Kenya to Uganda and Tanzania have significantly increased as of July this year, Energy Regulatory Commission in Kenya  has noted. According to the regulator the move is due to the recent  addition of geothermal power into the national grid. “The country has increased power sales and cut imports largely due to the additional geothermal energy to the grid,” said John Mutua, senior manager for.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th October 2015

The development of renewable energy received a shot in the arm after the African Development Bank set up a 21 billion shillings equity fund. The fund will be geared towards small and medium hydro, wind, geothermal, solar and biomass projects in the Sub Saharan region.Other interested parties include the Global Environment Facility which has contributed 45 billion shillings, European Investment Bank and the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 7th October 2015

 Timber firm- York Timbers, has announced plans to construct an electrical biomass power plant in South Africa  at its timber plant worth US $0.10bn.   This new power plant by the firm will deliver 25MW into the South African National grid thus giving the company some energy income from what would otherwise be discarded as biomass waste production from its six timber plants.   According to the CEO of York Timber, Pieter.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 2nd October 2015

 The construction of Chollet Hydropower Dam in Cameroon has received a new breath after the signing of a major agreement. Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Basile Atangana Kouna and the Minister of Energy and Hydraulics of the Republic of Congo, Henri Ossebi have signed agreements to speed up the project. According to the minister the project which is expected to boost the power production of the country will be carried out and the.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 2nd October 2015

 Sri Lanka’s Sierra Cables has decided to open a cable manufacturing company in Kenya to promote power generation projects in East Africa powercable AndreRobertoDoretoSantos flickrThe East African region has potential for cable manufacturers to enhance their business interests. A feasibility study was conducted, following which the company decided to set up a unit in Nairobi.  “The feasibility study has indicated.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st October 2015

Power management firm Eaton is calling for adoption and use of renewable energy storage technologies in Africa as uptake of alternative energy and power rises in the continent. During the recent East Africa Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) in Nairobi, Louis Shaffer, Eaton's Distributed Energy Segment Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa Region noted that renewable energy was a major theme at the 3-day event. EAPIC is an annual.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 29th September 2015