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

Industries and large institutions are in a race to comply with a directive to carry out energy audits ahead of today's statutory deadline. The Energy Management Regulations 2012 published by the Energy Regulatory Commission require consumers of more than 180,000 units of electricity per year to carry out audits every three years. They target saving of at least 30 per cent per institution within the three years to reduce electricity.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 29th September 2015

In a move to end power outages, Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) is switching from hydroelectric power and diesel to gas for electricity generation for power generation. This is being achieved through a government investment of Tsh2.5 trillion ($1.25 billion). The funding is part of Tsh8 trillion ($4 billion) to be spent on power generation projects. Key targets are big investment ventures including industries, tourist hotels and.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 29th September 2015

Kenya has secured commitments amounting to billions of shillings from American companies to increase power production and finance infrastructure projects. Some of these projects have already been initiated. President Uhuru Kenyatta said the commitments were secured during a morning meeting with the American companies under the umbrella Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU). He said Africa was the continent in focus for.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 29th September 2015

African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, who took over this month, said he’s aiming to eliminate Africa’s energy deficit by 2025 by mobilizing $55 billion of investment. Termed the “New Deal for Energy in Africa,” the continent’s largest development bank said the plan will significantly raise its support for energy projects and that its partners should also scale up efforts. The proposal also called.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 25th September 2015

 The  construction of the US$ 18m Muvumbe Hydro-power Dam in Uganda has kicked off. Located in Kabale District, Kigarama village in Nyanja parish, Maziba Sub-county, The mega project will be constructed by Vidullanka PLC from Sri Lanka.   The ground breaking of this important project was presided over by the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda who hailed the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Kana Kananathan for thinking of.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 25th September 2015