Kenyans will continue to shoulder the burden of expensive thermal generators for at least four more years, despite recent strides in unlocking cheaper sources of energy.   Data from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which is the energy sector regulator, shows that the earliest the first of the nine thermal power plants could be knocked off from the national grid is 2019. This is in case it is not renegotiated as has been the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

 South Africa could tap into its natural gas reserves to expand its energy mix and support growth across the economy, recommended McKinsey Global Institute DualfreqGas-fired power plants could help make up for deficits in South Africa's power supply. (Image source: Dualfreq/WikimediaCommons) Gas-fired power generation alone could add US$12bn to South Africa’s GDP, estimated the McKinsey report titled South Africa’s Big Five:.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 5th September 2015

As east Africa’s energy demands continue to raise, regional countries are looking to formulate a comprehensive policy on energy security and ease the conditions for investors in the sector. Speaking Monday at a meeting on policy framework in Kigali, Antonio Pedro the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), country director, said the absence of the policy has made countries lose out on opportunities and position themselves to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 4th September 2015

 UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has decided to help African nations with the development of nuclear energy for electricity generation nuclearplant 12923 pixabayPlans for nuclear power generation are making headway in Kenya. (Image source: 12923/Pixabay) Several African countries have expressed interest in the peaceful development of nuclear power, according to IAEA senior advisor for policy and strategy Anne Starz,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

 The government has leased 22 micro-power projects to private investors, a move aimed boosting the country’s power generation capacity.   The plants were leased to seven private power developers for 25 years, according to the Power Purchase and Concession Agreements signed between the companies and Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Energy Group on Thursday.   Speaking at the signing of.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 2nd September 2015

East African countries may soon emerge as global leaders in green energy, if efforts put by the various governments to exploit sources of renewable energy are attained.   Various stakeholders attending the East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) in Nairobi yesterday agreed that universal access to affordable energy could only be achieved by exploiting clean energy. Energy and Petroleum Principal Secretary Joseph Njoroge said the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 31st August 2015

 Uganda’s 600MW Karuma hydropower plant is set to commence the construction of transmission power lines; this is after intec – GOPA-International Energy, a German energy consulting company agreed on a US$ 6.3m consultancy services contract.   Funding for the construction of the transmission lines at Karuma hydropower plant are from China’s Exim bank.   Eriasi Kiyemba, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 31st August 2015

 The Kenya Electricity Generating Company, KenGen scored a double win at the inaugural East African Power Industry Awards in Nairobi on Thursday evening when the utility won the Outstanding Clean Power Award and also took top place in the Excellence in Power Generation category.   Other popular winners were Dr Albert Butare, former Energy Minister of Rwanda who won the Lifetime Achievement Award for East Africa, as well as H.E. Dr.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 31st August 2015

 The 44 mega watt (MW) Muzizi Power Dam in Kibale District will finally be a reality soon following the signing of an agreement between the German Development Bank (KfW) and the Agency for French Development under which the two institutions will fund the project to the tune of €70m (about Shs 270 billion).   Muzizi Hydro Power Dam is to be constructed on River Muzizi, a tributary of Lake Albert, for the benefit of communities in.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 31st August 2015

Nairobi — Vivo Energy Kenya, the company that distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants, has sealed a mutual interest partnership with local diversified business group, Simba Corporation.   The deal will see Vivo access tailor made vehicle leasing solutions from Simba.   Alongside the partnership, Vivo has been retained by Simba Corp as the exclusive lubricants supplier for the upcoming Simba Corporation.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 29th August 2015

Abuja — TO underscore commitment to the on going reform in the power sector, the Federal Government yesterday announced that it has completed the signing of the World Bank Partial Risk Guarantees (PRGs) in support of the 450 megawatts Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant (IPP).   The deal was concluded on Friday, August 21, 2015. Parties to the agreement included the Federal Government represented by the Ministry of Finance and.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 29th August 2015

The largest hydropower plant in Ethiopia, Gilgel Gibe III, started trial electric power production on Tuesday (August 25, 2015), announced the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy.   The dam begins trail production since it stored water that enables the production, Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy told the press. When the trail is successful, Gibe III is expected to start generating 500 megawatt of.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 29th August 2015