FORMER Energy minister Elton Mangoma yesterday questioned the US$533 million Kariba South Power Station extension project launched by President Robert Mugabe last week, saying there was serious suspicion of inflation of prices and looting by officials involved.   "Initially when we signed, the total cost for the project was US$370 million, now they are talking of US$530 something million. They now want to steal the money. The.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 8th September 2014

 Power parastatal Eskom has signed a contract that will see the replacement of steam generators at the Koeberg nuclear power plant, it confirmed.   "Eskom is pleased to announce that the contract between it and Areva NP was signed on Friday," said Eskom on Saturday.   The signing of the contract comes as Westinghouse Electric, a manufacturing company, withdrew its high court application to interdict Eskom..... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 8th September 2014

Regional interconnections and oil discoveries are expected to drive the transmission and distribution industry’s (T&D’s) growth in East Africa, the second-fastest growing region in Africa, global growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan said on Tuesday.The region’s power sector was currently highly underdeveloped and had the lowest electricity access rate on the continent, the firm stated while highlighting that East.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

Naivasha, Kenya: Kenya Electricity Generating Company (Kengen) has set aside 1,300 acres in Olkaria Naivasha for the construction of an industrial park. Five sites in the geothermal rich area have already been identified for the park with Kengen targeting high consumers of electricity. According to Kengen Managing Director Albert Mugo, the company will partner with Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) in setting up the industrial park. He.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

 TransGlobe Energy has announced the discovery of a Lower Nukhul oil discovery at NWG 3, a gas/condensate test at North Dabaa 2, and has been awarded a new concession in Egypt’s Western DesertThe oilwell at Lower Nakhul was drilled to a total depth of 1,633 metres and encountered 12.8 metres of net oil pay in the prolific Lower Nukhul formation based on well logs and oil recovered on wireline samples. The Lower Nukhul sandstone.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 5th September 2014

 Ormat Technologies, a US power firm has been selected among three other companies to build the 100MWgeothermal power plant in Menengai, Kenya, set to begin in December this year. This will be among other projects which will see Kenya’s energy capacity rise to 5,000MW from 1,533 MW. The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) picked Ormat Technologies through its wholly-owned subsidiaries OrPower 4, Quantum Power and local firm Sosian.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 4th September 2014

 Electricity generation in the country has hit 4,044 megawatts (MW) on account of improved gas supply to  generation stations and the rise in the water level at the various hydro power stations typical of the rainy season. The generation level, according to sources in the power sector, is expected to continue to improve with more gas being supplied and incentives given to gas producers to produce more. Reacting to the improved power.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 4th September 2014

 Tanzania has the potential of bringing birth to one billion tons of high quality thermal coal. The expected one billion tons of thermal coal would come from Tancoal proven coal resources that are in the excess of 200 million tons, plus the Ngaka Basin, Mbalawala and Mbuyura/ Mkapa sub-basins. Tancoal’s Chief Operating Officer, Tarn Brereton, confirmed this and said that out of this revelation, Ngaka Coal Mine reserves can serve.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 3rd September 2014

 THE government will spend Sh11 billion on rural electrification programmes this year. The plan aims to connect more than 1 million households, primary schools, markets and other public facilities to the power grid. Rural Electrification Authority chairman Simon Gicharu said the government has provided enough funding. "By the end of 2015 we will have achieved our target. This will completely turn around the economy," he.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 3rd September 2014

 Two local firms, Gulf Energy Limited and Centum Investment Company Limited, have successfully won the bid for construction of the Lamu coal plant. The power plant is going to be constructed at a cost of US$2bn in Mombasa, Kenya. US$500m to be used in construction will be provided by equity fund, and the balance will be funded through debt. Once complete, the plant is expected to add up to 960MW of electricity to Kenya’s national.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 3rd September 2014

 A consortium led by two Kenyan firms won a government tender to build a 1 000-MW, coal-fired power plant, company officials said on Tuesday, part of moves to satisfy rising demand for energy in East Africa's biggest economy.Kenya suffers from regular blackouts due to supply shortfalls and an aging grid, forcing most businesses and wealthy people to have stand-by generators. Businesses cite frequent power outages as a barrier to economic.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 3rd September 2014

 Kenya's wind energy capacity is considerable; the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has estimated it could reach 3,000 Megawatts (MW), more than double the current national demand. Northern districts like Turkana and Marsabit have the greatest potential, and wind farm construction here is proceeding apace. A Dutch consortium, the Lake Turkana Wind Power Company (LTWC) has leased 70,000 hectares for construction of a 380 turbine.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 2nd September 2014