Energy
African and European high level meeting on energy calls for continued cooperation to ensure access to energy by Africans across the continent
ADDIS ABABA– The Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership was held at Ministerial level on 13th February at the African Union, with calls from different speakers for continued efforts to ensure access to energy by Africans across the continent. The energy partnership is one of the eight partnerships of the EU-Africa Joint Strategy, which was adopted in December 2007, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Speaking during the opening of the ministerial session meeting, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr Elham Ibrahim, focused on the progress and importance of the initiatives launched by the African Union Commission and its partners, since the inception of the AEEP. She spoke specifically on the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility, which encourages public and private sector geothermal development projects by providing cost share grants for surface studies and drilling of reservoir confirmation wells. “Under the facility, grants have been awarded to 5 projects in Kenya and Ethiopia, amounting to 22 million US dollars, and other agreements will be signed in March this year,” she announced.
The Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy for Ethiopia, Mr. Alemayehu Tegenu highlighted the importance of appropriate and robust national policies and strategies in the success of Africa’s energy ambitions. He pointed to several projects which have been initiated in Ethiopia as a result of the nation’s focus on integrating energy into the core of its national and development agenda. These include: the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Gibe Three hydropower projects which will produce almost 9,000 megawatts of electricity between them when completed; and Ethiopia’s pioneering wind farms which he said, are the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa
In an inspirational message, the UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy For All programme, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella emphasised the need for governments and continental organisations to integrate sustainable energy into their agendas, and the need for co-operation amongst the different government ministries to achieve energy goals. He re-iterated that without effective use and generation of energy supplies, there can be no effective development, as energy is vital to success in all other sectors including health, manufacturing, trade and communication. “We cannot create the 10 million jobs that Africa needs, without industrialisation and for that we need energy”, he said.
The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Erastus Mwencha, closed the opening session of the meeting with a pointed reminder of the final aim of Africa’s development agenda, “The ultimate African ambition in energy is clearly about providing modern energy services to all its citizens”, he said.. The Deputy Chairperson highlighted some of the challenges faced by Africa today in terms of access to energy: “We still have almost 500 million Africans without access to reliable electricity, over 70% of our population relying on traditional biomass stoves for meeting their cooking needs, with severe health implications and mortality amongst women and children; and the low access to modern energy services for productive applications is threatening industrial and economic development in the continent, especially in crucial sectors that are important for jobs creation such as the agricultural and manufacturing sectors”, said Mr Mwencha. He added that Africa would require both large scale and small scale modern energy solutions in addressing the problem. He called on all actors, stakeholders and partners to find common ground in working together for the ultimate goal of providing modern energy access to all Africans in the coming decades.
Several countries in Africa are achieving impressive results in the energy sector. These include Ghana, which has achieved over 80% energy access for its citizens, and expects to exceed 90% access by 2015. Similarly, as of 2010, South Africa, Gabon, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt all have energy accessibility of over 80%.
The meeting was also addressed by several delegates from the European side including Mr Andries Pielbags, EU Commissioner for Development Cooperation (via video link); Mr Christian Schmidt, Deputy Minister of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany: and Mr Andreas Melan, Austrian Ambassador to Ethiopia. It was attended by African and European Ministers, Commissioners, business leaders and other high-level delegates.
The AEEP is one of the partnerships forged as a result of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, which encompasses eight areas of co-operation. These are: Peace and Security; Democratic Governance and Human Rights; Trade, regional integration and infrastructure; the Millennium Development Goals; Energy; Climate Change; Migration, mobility and employment; and Science, Information Society and Space.
MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, a prominent player in the Nigerian downstream oil industry, has implemented a new petrol price of N935 per litre across all its retail service stations nationwide.
The company has also called on Nigerians to monitor and report any outlets that fail to adhere to the new price structure.
Biztellers reports that this is consequent upon an announcement by the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has partnered with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, following a reduction in the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre.
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It was gathered that MRS Oil Nigeria Plc has instructed all its outlets to implement the new price immediately, setting up a digital platform and monitoring team to ensure full compliance.
In a statement on Monday night, the company declared, “Petrol is now being sold at N935 at MRS Filling Stations nationwide. If you find any station not following this price, please report it. Call 08009447853 or email: NG-FMKPMGWHISTLEBLOWING@NG.KPMG.COM”
Emphasising the eco-friendly nature of its products, MRS Oil added, “We call on all petrol station owners to join MRS Oil Nigeria Plc in improving the supply chain of our beloved country, ensuring product quality and availability in every corner of Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
In Lagos, commuters were seen queuing at MRS filling stations to purchase petrol, with many expressing their gratitude to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil and Gas, urging other marketers to support the indigenous refinery rather than import off-spec products into the country.
A commuter at the MRS station at Alapere on the Lagos Ibadan Express way, Ibukun Phillips, could not hide her joy as her husband filled up their car.
“I am very happy today. This is a victory for Nigeria,” she said. “The price reduction is the best gift of the season. But beyond just the reduction, we are buying standard, eco-friendly petrol at a lower rate. My husband and I have decided we will only be using MRS from now on because we are confident in the quality of the product and supporting the economy.”
A commercial bus driver, Adio Ajibade described the price reduction as a great relief, especially during the festive season.
“The reduction is a great relief. It will reduce transportation costs and benefit Nigerians. God will continue to bless Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” he said.
A public affairs analyst and university lecturer, Dr. Tunde Akanni, said the collaboration between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil represents a significant step towards improving the affordability, quality, and sustainability of petroleum products in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Akanni, “this move will not only help ease the financial burden on Nigerians but also promote a more environmentally conscious approach to fuel consumption, benefitting both the economy and public health in the long term.”
As a direct implication of the Federal Government’s Foreign Direct Investment drive, the Royal Dutch Shell has completed the final investment decision on the deep offshore Bonga North project in Nigeria.
Biztellers reports that the Bonga North will be a subsea tie-back to the Shell-operated Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility which Shell operates with a 55% interest.
Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Zoë Yujnovich, said, “This is another significant investment, which will help us to maintain stable liquids production from our advantaged Upstream portfolio”.
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It was gathered that the Bonga North project involves drilling, completing, and starting up 16 wells (8 production and 8 water injection wells), modifications to the existing Bonga Main FPSO and the installation of new subsea hardware tied back to the FPSO.
The company is optimistic that the project will sustain oil and gas production at the Bonga facility.
The Bonga North currently has an estimated recoverable resource volume of more than 300 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and will reach a peak production of 110,000 barrels of oil a day, with first oil anticipated by the end of the decade.
In addition, the Bonga North will help ensure Shell’s leading Integrated Gas and Upstream business continues to drive cash generation into the next decade.
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has received an award as “Energy company of the year (2024)” for its Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility accomplishments.
The award presented by the Nigerian News Direct newspaper, on Friday December 6, 2024, and was received by Manager Communications, Chevron Nigeria and Mid-Africa Business Unit, Victor Anyaegbudike, at a colourful event at the Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
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The organizers of the award noted that Chevron has implemented the “Protecting People and the Environment” policy, which aims at preventing injuries, illnesses, and environmental incidents. They also referenced that the company has achieved 97% gas flaring reduction in its operations in Nigeria, while implementing waste management and environmental conservation programs.
According to the media organization, Chevron Nigeria has also invested millions of dollars in community development programs, supporting education, health and economic development initiatives that have benefited thousands of people, while ensuring diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement in its business operations.
Receiving the award from the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, Anyaegbudike thanked the organizers for the honour, and reiterated Chevron’s commitment to continue to develop, affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy that enables human progress around the world.
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