In addition to producing the flagship fortnightly African Energy, AE’s team of experienced analysts also produce briefings and reports on a range of topics and issues that affect the region. Our expertise can be tapped by anyone and delivered in a range of formats. For more information contact Nick Carn. nick@africa-energy.com
Atlas 2010
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AfricaHardball is an executive dialogue that brings together policy-makers, industry leaders and analysts to discuss the key political issues affecting the African energy industry in frank and open terms.
The next AfricaHardball roundtable wil be held on 29 June, prior to the start of EnergyNet Ltd’s annual Africa Energy Forum (AEF), in Basle. Read more
Libya's Energy Future
Based on African Energy’s unparalleled track record in following Libya’s energy story and careful, originally sourced reporting from Libya and global markets, this special report analyses the major issues and the financial and political trends influencing development of Libya's energy industries. Read more
AfricaConnect seeks to stimulate the development of Africa's energy and electricity sectors as indispensable drivers of growth and self-sufficiency, through international campaigns to publicise Africa's critical power and energy shortages.
The nomination of 2010 as "The Year of Electrifying Africa" (YEA), will be a major feature of the campaign. Read more
For a decade, African Energy has been the definitive publication analysing and breaking news on the continent’s energy industries.
We hope you enjoy browsing our online information portal. Please note that some of African Energy’s content is available to subscribers only: all items preceded by a padlock symbol () require a subscription to access.
The African Energy Atlas 2010, sponsored by APR Energy, illustrates the biggest stories that broke in 2009. In addition to 28 full colour maps drawn with such expert care by 'journalist cartographer' David Burles, the atlas includes a review of 2009 and takes a look at the likely trends and prospects for Africa's energy industries in the year ahead. Read more
Mixed scorecard on policy and implementation clouds the outlook for South Africa
Jacob Zuma’s government has stuck to a conservative budget and remains committed to further reforms to the state sector, notably of the electricity industry. Articles by African Energy editors in Durban and Johannesburg examine recent policy developments, as well as signs that offshore oil and gas exploration is gathering pace
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has given Eskom tariff increases of around 25%/yr for the next three years, a level the central bank says will not upset inflation targets. But many stakeholders are unhappy. Activists, who are mobilising to oppose a $3.5bn World Bank loan package for Eskom, argue the price rises will further impoverish millions of poor South Africans. Eskom Holdings, still under an acting head, urgently needs to find ways of raising new funds. Attracting private investment is an obvious solution, with a swift decision on selling part of the state’s stake in the Kusile power plant, after years of delayed independent power projects (IPPs), potentially providing an important signal of intent.
President Jacob Zuma’s 11 February State of the Nation address was widely criticised for failing to provide any detailed vision of industrial policy, although he mentioned work under way to develop a 20-year Integrated Resource Plan, and implicitly looked to an unbundling of Eskom – planned on and off since the 1998 Energy White Paper – with the creation of an independent system operator (ISO). Speaking in Durban on 22 February energy minister Dipuo Peters was adamant the reform package would include the long-mooted creation of six regional electricity distribution companies, as well as an ISO that would buy power from IPPs as well as Eskom.
But how long will this take? And does South Africa have sufficient funds? See Power and AE view for more on this. Already, the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) – a symbol of national pride and SA’s technical ability – has been effectively shelved. Public works minister Barbara Hogan said key PBMR staff must be retained to work on SA’s nuclear build-up – a sign the government is going for a ‘nuclear fleet’. One hopeful sign is that the offshore gas and oil search is gathering pace. See Upstream oil and gas
West coast upstream update: Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone – new activity on Transform Margin
National Oil Company of Liberia is evaluating eight bids received for the five blocks offered in the latest licensing round. Recent discoveries in Ghana and Sierra Leone have sparked interest in the new West Africa Transform Margin play’s potential all along the previously unfashionable Gulf of Guinea coast. As African Energy’s West Coast Upstream update shows, the pace of exploration is picking up and the authorities are getting tough on dormant acreage. more (opens new window)
Ghana confronts Tema refinery’s $1bn-plus debt
Ghana’s government is struggling to find a solution to over $1bn of debt racked up by Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). Insurers and ECAs say TOR’s defaults on debt weigh heavy on their assessments of Ghanaian risk. Ecobank has been retained to structure a solution, including raising several hundred million dollars. As yet there are no judicial investigations. A senior Ghanaian source told African Energy: “We want to find a solution to the financial and trading problem before thinking about any action.” more (opens new window)
Political shifts give hope to DRC developers
There are signs of movement in Democratic Republic of Congo, where President Joseph Kabila Kabange shifted his interior and security minister Célestin Mbuyu Kabango to replace Rene Isekemanga Nseka as hydrocarbons minister in a reshuffle that trimmed down the unwieldy administration ahead of elections in 2011. The government, still led by Adolphe Muzito, also includes a new energy minister, Gilbert Tshiongo Tshibinkubula, who will oversee efforts to reform state utility Société Nationale d’Electricité (Snel) – working with the powerful state assets (portefeuille) minister Jeannine Mabunda Lioko Mudiayi – and develop the 4,320MW Inga III hydropower project, as well as overhauling the Inga I and II units. All these officials are from Kabila’s Parti du Peuple pour la Reconstruction et la Démocratie, which has taken more key economic ministries.
But the president continues to tread cautiously, keeping potential rivals, including the Parti Lumumbiste Unifié (Palu), in the government. As well as the Palu prime minister, the Palu mining minister Martin Kabwelulu Labilo stayed on. To some surprise, influential deputy minister Victor Kasongo Shomary was dropped. more
Country Archive
African Energy has launched its new Country Archive pages, allowing easy access to more than six years of premium news and analysis.
Subscribers and non-subscribers may view the headlines for current and archived news and analysis but only African Energy Internet subscribers have full access to the material – read more about subscriptions
The first six featured countries are Algeria, DR Congo, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria and South Africa. New country archive pages will be added on a regular basis, starting with Ghana, and followed by Botswana. Visit the Country Archive
African Energy now has a page on Facebook. We have posted a number of article excerpts on the ‘discussions’ board. Pay us a visit on Facebook to interact with our writers and analysts, add your thoughts and posts and become a fan of African Energy.
Libya's Energy Future – Order now
Based on African Energy’s unparalleled track record in following Libya’s energy story and careful, originally sourced reporting from Libya and global markets, this special report analyses the major issues and the financial and political trends influencing development of Libya's energy industries.
Alongside the main report the The Libya Oil & Gas Handbook profiles the major players and identifies the key contacts of companies operating throughout the hydrocarbons sector. The handbook has been designed to be used in conjunction with the maps and project listings in Libya’s Energy Future to form an indispensable guide to the Libyan hydrocarbons sector.
Libya’s Energy Future offers not only detailed insight into specific projects and players, but also a clear understanding and analysis of the dominant issues, making it essential reading for anyone serious about doing business in Libya
Read moreabout the features of Libya's Energy Future plus text excerpts from the report and sample articles from the African Energy archives
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