Power Sector And Other Related News Stories For Tuesday January 10th 2023
Privatisation: Electricity Workers Fault N3trn Intervention in Power Sector
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has faulted the decision of the Federal Government to inject over N3 trillion into privatised electricity companies owned by individuals in the country.
Secretary General of the Union, Joe Ajaero, disclosed this during the public hearing on a bill to amend Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 to provide the legal and institutional framework for the implementation and coordination of Rural Electrification Projects, establishment of the National Power Training Institute and Regulatory provisions to strengthen the sector for efficient service delivery and for related matters.
Powering Nigeria One Electric Capsule at a Time
Nigeria, which is home to about 220 million people, has historically ranked near the bottom when it comes to countries with access to electricity. But Olubenga Olubanjo wants to change that.
As the founder of Reeddi, a green technology company, Olubanjo says he found a way to provide affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity to all Nigerians. On this episode of Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts, he tells us how he came up with the idea, and where he wants to expand next.
Mass Disconnection Looms Over N96bn DisCos Customers Debts
Following the N95.8 billion owed by customers, there are indications that all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) may embark on mass disconnection of customers to enable them to pay up their debt with GenCos.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in Nigeria averaged a collection efficiency of 67.36 per cent in Q1 2022.
The Commission further disclosed that revenue earned during the period was N199.90 billion out of N295.69 billion billed to customers.
NERC, in its first quarter 2022 report, released this during the weekend.
https://dailypost.ng/2023/01/09/mass-disconnection-looms-over-n96bn-discos-customers-debts/
7 Nigerians Died from Electricity-Related Incidents in Q1, 2022
At least 37 Nigerians lost their lives in electricity-related accidents between January and March 2022, a new report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has indicated.
In all, NERC in the report, noted that the commission received 78 reports on health and safety issues, with the total number of incidents being 55, while 18 Nigerians sustained various injuries as a result.
Recently, Nigeria power sector safety regulatory body, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), said it was ramping up a nationwide audit of facilities to curb the use of substandard materials, which sometimes increase the rate of accidents.
Corruption will Frustrate FG Planned Mass Metering Scheme Consumer Network
The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, recently said the government would deploy six million meters before June this year, under the second and third phases of the National Mass Metering Programme. How feasible is this?
That is not possible. What made them stop Phase Zero of the programme? Some power distribution companies were signing for meters that were not delivered, as opposed to meters received. They were invoicing for meters that were not supplied.
https://punchng.com/corruption-will-frustrate-fg-planned-mass-metering-scheme-consumer-network/
DEG Finances the Installation of Solar Microgrids in Nigeria
Husk power receives a $750,000 loan provided under the Up-Scaling programme of the German Investment and Development Cooperation (DEG), a subsidiary of the German Development Agency (KfW). This initiative, co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, promotes development-country innovation. Husk Power Systems incurred debt following the mobilization of $10.3 million in 2022.
The European Union (EU) Electrification Financing Initiative (EDFI) and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) also contributed funds to the installation of 200 solar microgrids in India. However, the DEG loan will fund the electrification of eight Nigerian communities.
https://theelectricityhub.com/deg-finances-the-installation-of-solar-microgrids-in-nigeria/
Kenya Plans to Expand Renewable Energy Deployment for Baseload Power
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has announced a renewed plan to scale up the deployment of renewable energy in the country by adding an additional 3,000MW.
This new campaign will be driven largely by deploying up to 2,000MW drawn from geothermal and hydro sources as baseload power to stabilize the country energy sources, thus, diversifying away from expensive thermal sources.
KenGen has also put in place plans to optimize the existing hydro sources even as it pushes for the development of new hydropower stations, and the expansion of existing ones, particularly within the Tana River basin.
https://theelectricityhub.com/kenya-plans-to-expand-renewable-energy-deployment-for-baseload-power/
Austria Sums Up To 1.4 GW of Solar Additions in 2022
According to the country solar industry association PV Austria, Austria has connected to the grid new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with a total capacity of 1 GW-1.4 GW in 2022, which exceeds solar additions in any previous year.
The country is on track to meet the 2023 targets, but it must ensure that the expansion targets are raised year after year, according to PV Austria Vera Immitzer.
According to the association, the solar boom is likely to continue beyond this year, but weak power grids and a lack of grid connection permits are causing bottlenecks.
Austria passed its long-awaited Renewables Expansion Law (EAG) a year ago in an effort to promote renewables expansion. The Alpine country implemented a market premium for large-scale clean power plants with the law, which supplements the investment subsidy granted for the construction of small plants.
https://theelectricityhub.com/austria-sums-up-to-1-4-gw-of-solar-additions-in-2022/
