Power Sector And Other Related News Stories For Friday February 10th 2023
Kano’s 10 Megawatts Project, A Wakeup Call
On January 30, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the 10 Megawatts (MW) Kano Solar Power Project funded and managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
Currently, the largest grid-connected solar PV plant deployment in Nigeria, it was implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) jointly owned by the federal government, Kano State Government and the host local government area, Kumbotso.
With more than 21,000 solar PV panels, two 6MVA transformers and 52 inverters, a state-of-the-art warehouse and storage building, a control room building, offices, workshop, among others, the project was executed by a consortium of an indigenous contractor and international partners on a turnkey basis.
It is very easy to dismiss the 10MW Kano Solar Power Project, after all, the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) gets between 250 and 360MW hour on a day-by-day basis.
But the project is of great significance, being the first of its kind in Nigeria. It shows that renewable projects of this magnitude, and more, can be successfully completed in the country.
https://dailytrust.com/kanos-10-megawatts-project-a-wakeup-call/
Otedola’s Brothers Acquire 7.7mn Shares Worth N1.7bn in Geregu Power
Two brothers of Femi Otedola, the majority owner of Geregu Power, have obtained shares summing up to 7.7 million in the electricity-generating firm.
According to details of regulatory filings posted on the Nigerian Exchange’s website on Thursday, Paul Olurotimi Otedola purchased 3.6 million shares at N219 per unit and 100,000 shares at N207.9 per unit on 2 and 7 February in deals worth N809.2 million.
Similarly, Ayokunle Michael Otedola bought 4 million shares at N219 per unit for N876 million on 2 February, bringing the combined purchases by the duo to N1.7 billion.
Mr Otedola already holds 95.6 per cent of the organisation, almost all through his own power distribution company Amperion.
There are no details of the selling party of the transactions in the documents, meaning the family stake of the Otedolas in Geregu Power would be closer to 96 per cent if the 7.7 million shares had been bought from persons other than the billionaire businessman.
The share acquisition puts the two brothers in a good position to become directors on the company’s board, currently chaired by Mr Otedola, as two other directors on the board each hold 1,245 shares and only the chairman has a substantial shareholding in the company.
Lagos State Residents Protest Against Outrageous Bills from Eko Electricity Company Amid Blackout
The residents, who stated this in a press statement made available to SaharaReporters, also bemoaned the blackout the community was facing despite paying outrageously for electricity.
Angry residents of Ajeromi Ifelodun community in Lagos State have protested against the outrageous electricity tariff bills issued to them monthly by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).
The residents, who stated this in a press statement made available to SaharaReporters, also bemoaned the blackout the community was facing despite paying outrageously for electricity.
The Lagos residents were also seen on Thursday afternoon storming the streets of their community, while demanding for a solution from the relevant stakeholders.
The statement reads: “We the above-named wish to draw your attention to this worrisome and unacceptable situation that have brought too much pain and penury to us all.
“This problematic style and system of yours have made life so difficult and unbearable because your constant increment in electricity tariff and with non- availability of electricity is making things worse for us all, and there is no justification whatsoever for this incessant increment and crazy bills we have been served to pay.
SA President Declares National State of Disaster to Address Electricity Crisis – Johannesburg News
Johannesburg, Feb 10 (IANS) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national state of disaster to address the country’s electricity crisis.
“The National Disaster Management Center has consequently classified the energy crisis and its impact as a disaster. We are therefore declaring a national state of disaster to respond to the electricity crisis and its effects,” Ramaphosa said while delivering his 2023 State of the Nation Address in Cape Town on Thursday night.
“The state of disaster will enable us to provide practical measures that we need to take to support businesses in the food production, storage and retail supply chain, including for the rollout of generators, solar panels and uninterrupted power supply,” he said, adding that it will also enable the country to exempt critical infrastructure such as hospitals from load shedding.
To deal more effectively and urgently with the challenges, Ramaphosa said he will appoint a minister of electricity in the presidency to assume full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the electricity crisis response.
“As we outline our agenda for the year ahead, our most immediate task is to dramatically reduce the severity of load shedding in the coming months and ultimately end load shedding altogether,” the President added.
Opposition Against Appointment of Minister of Electricity
United Democratic Movement Leader Leader, Bantu Holomisa, says his party is not convinced that the appointment of a Minister of Electricity will bring a positive change to address the electricity crisis.
Holomisa was reacting to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address last night that he will appoint a Minister of Electricity in a bid to address South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis.
Various other political parties have reiterated the same sentiments.
Inkatha Freedom Party Leader, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says the president has passed a vote of no confidence in Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, as well as Mineral Resource and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe.
Hlabisa is not convinced that an electricity minister is needed.
Leader of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Mzwanele Nyontsho, says his party is against the appointment.
Meanwhile, Congress of the People Deputy President, Willy Madisha, says Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address was a repetition of previous empty promises.
National Freedom Party Parliamentary Leader, Ahmed Shaik-Emam, says Ramaphosa’s address is not convincing
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/opposition-against-appointment-of-minister-of-electricity/
