| African Power Platform - Newsletter #19 | ||||||||
Week 28, 2020 | |||||||||
EDITORIAL | |||||||||
Dear reader, Welcome to the nineteenth African Power Platform (APP) newsletter. We can't avoid addressing the COVID-19 situation that is affecting the world globally, thus not leaving Africa behind. With most airports closed to international traffic and major cities in lockdown, the populations are suffering from the economy slowdown since governments support is very limited and social welfare systems have scarce resources, if any. So how can we, the power sector, contribute to improving Africa's response to the pandemic? One good option is solarizing health facilities. Most stay in rural areas, without reliable power supply and can benefit from hybrid solar-powered solutions. It's also a good opportunity to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Since there is not much pressure on the systems as the demand-side is seeing a reduction from slow industry output, there is more time for planning long term green energy solutions. From the news we have been seeing activity in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya. The renewable industry is active in Africa despite situation, and it can actually contribute to a quicker recovery. That's all for this week. Keep safe, keep energized. Meanwhile, the APP keeps here, serving the power industry in Africa.
Jorge Lascas Founder & Managing Director | |||||||||
FROM THE PRESS | |||||||||
NIGERIA: Nigeria's off-the-grid solar-powered school. Read the article >> Fed up with frequent power cuts, a school in Nigeria now generates its own electricity. The initial investment is paying off, and the school encourages children to value a sustainable future. | |||||||||
ZIMBABWE: SolGas Energy to commission its solar power plant in Hwange in August. Read the article >> After several months of delay, the independent power producer (IPP) SolGas Energy will commission a solar photovoltaic power plant in August 2020. Located in Hwange, in the province of Matabeleland North, the plant will have a capacity of 5 MWp. | |||||||||
SOMALIA: Beco builds 8 MWp solar power plant in Mogadishu. Read the article >> Beco, the company that provides the public electricity service in the city of Mogadishu, has recently installed a photovoltaic solar power plant there. The objective is to reduce electricity costs in the Somali capital. The company plans to increase the capacity of the solar power plant to 100 MWp in the coming years. | |||||||||
NIGERIA: Nigeria marks another milestone with two solar hybrid mini-grids. Read the article >> The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has commissioned two solar hybrid mini-grids in the villages of Akipelai and Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, with a total capacity of 134.64kW for both communities under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). | |||||||||
KENYA: Major construction works at Kipeto wind power project in Kenya complete. Read the article >> The major construction activities at the Kipeto Wind power project located at Esilanke area on the foothills of Ngong Hills in Kajiado county of Kenya has been completed following the completion of the installation of all the 60 wind power turbine generators by the US multinational General Electric (GE). | |||||||||
MADAGASCAR: Wattec installs solar system on ABC’s rooftop in Antananarivo. Read the article >> Wattec has recently commissioned a solar power plant on the rooftop of ABC, a construction company based in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The installation reinforces the autonomy of ABC with regard to the Madagascan national electricity network. | |||||||||
AFRICA: Pele Green Energy plans to scale up wind and solar projects. Read the article >> Pele Green Energy, an independent power producer, will soon be expanding its wind and solar energy projects on the African continent. It has recently raised capital with the help of Investec, a South African and British specialist bank. | |||||||||
ZIMBABWE: Local solar power developer secures generation licence. Read the article >> The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has granted a generation licence to a local consortium, Triangle Solar System (TSS) for the development of a 90MW solar power. | |||||||||
NIGERIA: Solar Installations Helping Nigerian Health Centers Fight COVID-19 Outbreak. Read the article >> All On, an independent impact investment company, has announced the completion of the first phase of nationwide solar installations at emergency health facilities related to the COVID-19 pandemic response. | |||||||||
ANGOLA: Government’s Commitment To Diversify Angola’s Economy Continues To Offer Opportunities For Investors In The Power Sector. Read the article >> Notwithstanding the ongoing crisis in the oil sector globally that has led to significant drops in government revenue, the Angolan Government has said it remains ever more committed to the diversification of the country’s economy away from oil revenue dependence. | |||||||||
KENYA: SFC finances d.light to distribute solar kits in rural areas. Read the article >> The Solar Frontier Capital (SFC) financing platform, has recently set up a 6.5 billion shillings (about $65 million) financing facility to benefit d.light design Inc. Known as Brighter Life Kenya 1 Limited (BLK1), this financing facility will help in the distribution of solar home kits in rural Kenya. | |||||||||
KENYA: Kenya’s first ever floating solar power plant to be constructed. Read the article >> Kenya’s first-ever floating solar power plant is set to be constructed in the rift valley region. The 69 kW power infrastructure will be commissioned for Rift Valleys Roses, a family-owned rose-growing company located near Lake Naivasha, on one of the flower farm’s water reservoirs using a floating substructure. | |||||||||
SUDAN: Solar for agriculture: Empowering farmers in Sudan. Read the article >> To demonstrate the potential of renewables in Sudan, a $4.4 million Global Environmental Facility (GEF) grant allowed UNDP to trial 29 solar-pumped farms in the Sahara-encompassed Northern State. | |||||||||
TUNISIA: IPPs designated to produce 70 MWp from 16 solar power plants. Read the article >> The Tunisian government has just selected several independent power producers (IPPs) for the implementation of a solar project to produce 70 MWp of electricity from 16 photovoltaic solar power plants. | |||||||||
AFRICA: Renewable energy investments crucial in Africa’s efforts to build back better post COVID-19. Read the article >> It is essential for African governments to build back strong from the coronavirus crisis by placing investments in sustainable energy among the central recovery goals, and linking recovery investment to strengthening the foundation of future sustainable development. | |||||||||
UGANDA: Working with the UK to promote clean and affordable energy. Read the article >> Renewable energy was the focus of a virtual trade mission recently organized by the Department for International Trade (DIT) at the British High Commission in Uganda, in collaboration with Innovate UK and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) for the Energy Catalyst Round 8 (ECRP) programme. ECRP is a competition that aims to support highly innovative and market-oriented energy solutions in any technology or sector in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia or South-East Asia. | |||||||||
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: Sub-Saharan solar minigrid market worth $128 billion by 2030. Read the article >> BloombergNEF and Sustainable Energy for All have jointly published a report by the Mini-Grid Partnership proposing solar minigrids as a critical technology to bring electricity to the 789 million people who still lack access. | |||||||||
PRESS RELEASES | |||||||||
MIGA Insures Actis Energy Investment in South Africa’s Renewable Energy Sector Read the article >> MIGA, a member of the World Bank Group, has issued guarantees in support of the construction, ownership and operation of two solar photovoltaic power plants (Aggeneys and Konkoonsies II) in South Africa’s Northern Cape, and two wind power plants (Golden Valley and Excelsior) in the Eastern and Western Capes. | |||||||||
Future Energy East Africa to go ahead as virtual event Read the article >> Three exciting days of live conference sessions, technical presentations, networking opportunities and an exclusive Utility CEO Forum will form part of the programme of the upcoming Virtual Future Energy East Africa from 1-3 September 2020. | |||||||||
Gaia Impact Fund announces a milestone equity investment in Nuru, a minigrid developer and operator in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Read the article >> “Nuru is thrilled to be partnering with Gaia Impact Fund to bring millions of people renewable energy in the Democratic Republic of Congo”, says Jonathan Shaw, CEO of Nuru. | |||||||||
EDP sponsors eight clean energy access projects in Africa with €500,000 Read the article >> The projects will be implemented in Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Malawi, and are expected to benefit more than one million people. The overall amount to be invested through the A2E Fund stands at €500,000. | |||||||||
Efficiency for Access, Rural Senses and SVT Group Collaborate on Impact Assessment Framework for Appliances Read the article >> Efficiency for Access Collaborates with Rural Senses and SVT Group to Develop an Impact Assessment Framework for High Performing Appliances. | |||||||||
On-site solar can spur post-corona rebound Read the article >> Businesses in Africa suffer from the world’s highest costs of electricity. Solar PV on the user’s site can slash energy costs, improve competitiveness and create hundreds of thousands of jobs, but government regulations are holding investments back.
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FROM THE MEMBERS | |||||||||
First Solar, Inc. today (June 18) announced that it had signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Dow, Inc. (NYSE: DOW) for its Gulf Coast operations. Dow’s Texas Operations is the largest petrochemical site in the western hemisphere. First Solar had previously disclosed the execution of the PPA without identifying the offtaker.
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Solar developer Renewvia Energy Kenya Limited, a subsidiary of Renewvia Energy Corporation and Energizing Development Kenya, announced a partnership to provide three mini grids that will bring reliable, affordable and clean electricity to local residents and businesses of Ngurunit, Kalobeyei Town and Kalobeyei in Kenya.
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TENDERS | |||||||||
Submission deadline: 10 July 2020 | Category: Consultancy Country: Nigeria | Entity: World Bank
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Submission deadline: 15 July 2020 | Category: Consultancy Country: ZA - South Africa | Entity: World Bank Group
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Submission deadline: 17 July 2020 | Category: Consultancy Country: Guinea-Bissau | Entity: ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE)
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Submission deadline: 21 July 2020 | Category: Consultancy Country: Zambia | Entity: African Development Bank Group
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Submission deadline: 31 July 2020 | Category: Consultancy Country: West Africa | Entity: ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE)
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GRANTS | |||||||||
The Carbon Trust and Energy 4 Impact are excited to announce the launch of the Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities (PREO) Programme, promoting clean energy in sub-Saharan Africa to boost long-term job creation and reduce poverty through economic growth and women empowerment. | Deadline: 30 July 2020
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UPCOMING WEBINARS | |||||||||
Date & Time: 7 July 2020 at 12:00 PM GMT | Organizer: Africa Solar Industry Association
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Date & Time: 7 July 2020 at 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm BST | Organizer: CbI Meetings and African Energy
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Date & Time: 14 July 2020 at 10h00 (GMT +2) | Organizer: Terrapinn
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Date & Time: 15 - 16 July 2020 at 10:00 to 13:30 on both days (Casablanca Time Zone) | Organizer: Euroconvention Global
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Date: 15 - 16 July 2020 | Organizer: Alliance for Rural Electrification and GOGLA
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Date: 16 July 2020 | Organizer: Solarplaza
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Date & Time: 22 July 2020 at 13:00 GMT | Organizer: Mining Review Africa and ESI Africa
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Date: 1 - 3 September 2020 | Organizer: Clarion Energy
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UPCOMING EVENTS | |||||||||
Date: 8 - 9 September 2020 | Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa
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Date: 14 – 18 September 2020 | Location: Johannesburg
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Date: 15 - 17 September 2020 | Location: Nairobi, Kenya
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FEATURED REPORT | |||||||||
Publication date: 10 June 2020 | Author: Frankfurt School As COVID-19 hits the fossil fuel industry, the GTR 2020 shows that renewable energy is more cost-effective than ever – providing an opportunity to prioritize clean energy in economic recovery packages and bring the world closer to meeting the Paris Agreement goals.
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JOBS | |||||||||
Published: 15 June 2020 | Location: Lusaka, Zambia Description: The National Service Center Manager is responsible for all Service Center performance indicators and maintaining an exceptional standard within the network as this grows to scale.
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Published: 30 June 2020 | Location: Maputo, Mozambique Description: The Customer Service Representative is responsible for providing quality and efficient assistance to our customers.
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Published: 30 June 2020 | Location: Maputo, Mozambique Description: The Customer Service Representative is responsible for providing quality and efficient assistance to our customers.
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JOIN THE AFRICAN POWER PLATFORM | |||||||||
If you want to join the African Power Platform and enjoy the full set of benefits visit our membership page or contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |||||||||
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