Energy
New EU support for renewable energy and governance in Cape Verde
BRUSSELS – During his first ever visit to the country EU Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, announced €55 million of new support for Cape Verde during the period 2014 – 2020. The funding will focus specifically on the areas of the fight against poverty, sustainable and inclusive growth and good governance.
The Commissioner will take part in a seminar on renewable energy, during which he will announce the first deployment of the EU’s Technical Assistance Facility for Sustainable Energy for All in Cape Verde; a new instrument on energy cooperation which will cover the whole of Africa. The new facility will support the Cape Verdean authorities in identifying new and innovative project proposals in the energy sector. The European Union will provide the expertise (sharing best practice and providing training, for example) required to achieve Cape Verde’s ambitious energy target of providing 50% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2020.
Commissioner Piebalgs said: “Renewable energy is something that I am strongly committed to. Energy in Cape Verde is crucial, for education and healthcare, for growth, tourism and even for the supply of water. In short, renewable energy is the country’s main route towards growth and development.
“Electricity prices in Cape Verde are sky high and the country has no fossil fuel resources. That’s why our new Technical Facility is so important – by providing expertise and innovative solutions it will help to utilise abundant renewable resources such as wind and sun to give people on all of Cape Verde’s islands reliable and cost-effective access to electricity and modern energy services through renewable energy.”
The Commissioner will visit the Cabeolica Wind farm project, which was the first large-scale wind project in Africa and has already achieved impressive results; increasing the country’s share of renewable energy to 25 per cent in one go. The project is the first renewable energy public/private partnership in sub-Saharan Africa, and it shows how partnerships with development banks working together with the private sector, present a business model that could be successfully replicated in many other countries.
Commissioner Piebalgs will meet with President Jorge Carlos Fonseca and Prime Minister José Maria Neves during his visit, as well as other high level ministers and representatives from civil society groups.
EU’s ongoing support to the country
The EU provided €51m to Cape Verde between 2008 -2013 through the European Development Fund (EDF). As a result of the mid-term review, additional funds (€10.2 million) were also made available.
As a continuation of the EU’s general budget support to the Cape Verde and the on-going budget support programme (entitled Good Governance and Development Contract or GGDC), new contracts will also be put in place between the EU and Cape Verde. It will continue to support Cape Verde’s development strategy and the EU-Cape Verde Special Partnership. This shows the importance that the EU attaches to its relations with Cape Verde
New support to the EU Cape Verde Special Partnership (which enhances EU cooperation with the country in areas of mutual interest, such as security and stability, as well as the harmonisation of technology and standards, to bring them in line with the EU) is also foreseen.
Cape Verde is on track to achieving nearly all of its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The country’s main challenge is eradicating poverty (26.6% of population currently live in poverty and promoting economic growth, as well as reducing public deficit and debt.
The EU Cape Verde Special Partnership agreed by the two partners, aims to boost cooperation on areas such as good governance, security and stability, as well as regional integration, and the fight against poverty. The EU is Cape Verde’s main trading partner.
The European Commission has been supporting the goal of Sustainable Energy for All (and the UN’s SE4ALL initiative) from day one and in 2012 committed to help developing countries provide 500 million people with access to sustainable energy services by 2030.
Energy
BP, Trafigura, Vitol Lead Global Offtake Of Dangote’s Refined Products
The Lagos based, 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) might be struggling for real acceptance in Nigeria’s domestic market, but the international markets appear to have embraced it with both hands.
As at Wednesday, November 6, 2024, three global oil dealers account for as much as 75 percent of refined products being lifted from the DPRP.
In a development touted as reshaping petroleum trading between Africa and Europe, Vitol Group, Trafigura Group, and BP Plc were listed by Bloomberg as the dominant buyers of fuels from the DPRP.
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Going by the data, it can be seen that the three global dealers accounted for the bulk of the plant’s shipments since flows began ratcheting up around the middle of 2024.
The report was backed by data from Precise Intelligence, a new oil-and-gas trading analytics firm based in Geneva.
The data showed refined products offtake from February 27 to October 10 with other customers, and indicated that the Nigerian market took 25 percent of total fuel purchases from the DPRP in the period under review.
Recall that the DPRP on starting operations, kick-started the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) (petrol).
The management of the DPRP has been consistent in expressing confidence that as soon as it becomes fully operational, it would peak at processing up to 650,000 barrels a day of crude into products including gasoline and diesel.
The implication is that at its peak, the DPRP would be the biggest single plant in Europe or Africa, conferring on it the capacity to reshape the regions’ oil and fuel trading.
Oil industry pundits note that the coming on stream of the DPRP has already trimmed a glut of Nigerian crude.
Analysis of the report showed that the refinery has loaded almost 6 million tons of fuel since starting up.
This is equivalent to almost 45 million barrels, loading rates averaged about 35,000 tonnes a day in October, its data showed.
The DPRP itself said late last month that the refinery had reached processing rates of about 420,000 barrels a day of crude.
Stakeholders are paying close attention, which sees the composition of fuel cargoes loading from the DPRP closely watched because it offers clues into where the refinery is at in terms of starting up different processing units.
On the products sold, the figures show that automotive gas oil — commonly known as diesel — is the largest cargo type being lifted, accounting for the highest proportion of shipments. This is followed by fuel oil, which ranks second in terms of volume.
Together, these two products make up more than 60 percent of the total output being collected from the plant.
Other significant fuel types being processed include gasoline, which is used for cars and other light vehicles, and jet fuel, primarily utilised by the aviation industry for aircraft.
Energy
Minister of Power, Adelabu Champions Mini-Grids Amid Northern Power Crisis
In the wake of a prolonged power crisis impacting Northern Nigeria, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu visited the Zawaciki 1MWp mini-grid project in Kano, underscoring the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to alleviate regional power shortages.
The project, operated by Bagaja Renewables, provides daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, offering a vital source of power as the region faces widespread blackouts.
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Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables, welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the critical timing of the visit.
“Bagaja Renewables had the distinct honor of welcoming the Honorable Minister of Power to the Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid,” Zakari said.
“This visit comes at a critical time, as Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged blackout, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.
The Zawaciki mini-grid has been instrumental during this crisis, providing at least 9 hours of daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in addressing the region’s energy needs.”
Minister Adelabu praised the Zawaciki project as a model for interconnected mini-grids nationwide, noting its role as a sustainable solution for communities grappling with unreliable power supply.
“The Honorable Minister expressed admiration for the Zawaciki project, recognizing it as a viable proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria,” Zakari stated.
“He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and called on state governors and other key stakeholders to support efforts to decentralize and strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.
By backing projects like Zawaciki, stakeholders can play an instrumental role in reducing reliance on the national grid and ensuring a more stable power supply for local communities.”
Zakari underscored the transformative potential of private-sector renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s power landscape.
He said, “As we have witnessed here at Zawaciki, private-sector-driven renewable energy solutions can transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the right policies and support, we can empower communities and enhance energy resilience, even in times of national power instability.”
In addition to the Zawaciki project, Bagaja Renewables is developing several renewable energy initiatives across Northern Nigeria. Among these are:
Barhim Estate, Katsina: A residential power initiative aimed at expanding energy access for households in the region.
Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster, Kano: Focused on delivering clean and reliable power to commercial areas, this project aims to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth.
Kafin Hausa, Jigawa: With site fencing completed, Bagaja Renewables is preparing to begin technical design and engineering work for a mini-grid in Kafin Hausa, slated to start construction soon.
Zakari said, “These projects represent Bagaja Renewables’ unwavering commitment to building a resilient, decentralized, and renewable-powered energy future across Northern Nigeria.
“Bagaja Renewables is dedicated to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to scale up renewable energy solutions that will support communities, industries, and essential services.
“We believe that decentralized power generation is the future for Nigeria, and we are eager to contribute to a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy system for all.” he added
Energy
Power Restored In Four Northern States After 10-Day Blackout
Power has been restored across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States, bringing relief to residents who endured a 10-day blackout.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that electricity was reinstated around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting celebrations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and other affected areas.
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The prolonged outage was caused by the tripping of a major 330kV transmission line between Benue and Enugu states, leaving several northern states without power.
The blackout severely impacted daily life and economic activities, with residents expressing frustration over the disruption to businesses, healthcare services, and personal livelihoods.
In response, President Bola Tinubu took swift action, summoning Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis.
Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Monday that President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power and relevant agencies to expedite restoration efforts.
“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the reports of vandalism and deliberate destruction of essential power infrastructure,” Onanuga said in a statement.
“The President has tasked TCN engineers with bringing immediate relief to the affected states and implementing a long-term solution to prevent future outages.”