Algeria's Energy Future was launched at a half-day round-table seminar at Chatham House, London, on Wednesday 6 April.
The report was presented at the seminar by its lead authors, Jon Marks and John Hamilton, and critically assessed by Algerian and international experts. Read more
The African Energy Atlas has established itself as an indispensable resource for energy industry professionals.
The 2011 edition features more than 45 maps and charts drawn with expert care by journalist cartographer David Burles. Read more
Briefings and Reports 2
AfricaHardball is an executive dialogue that brings together policy-makers, industry leaders and analysts to discuss the key political issues affecting African markets in frank and open terms.
The next AfricaHardball roundtable will be held on 1 December in London, focusing on North Africa Read more
Briefings and Reports 3
A detailed and frank analysis of Libya’s energy sector
Published in July 2010, Libya's Energy Future provides authoritative, independently sourced analysis of Libya’s energy sector policy and history, examines the country’s governance and financial record and assesses the potential for international partners to do business with its institutions and interest groups.
On the page below you will find a selection of articles from the African Energy archive. All links preceded by a padlock symbol require a subscription.
State power utility Eskom has received all the necessary approvals, including an environmental record of decision, to proceed with a second multibillion-rand pumped-storage scheme, known as Project Lima. Issue 127, 30 November 2007.more
Medupi contracts
Eskom has given major contracts to the Alstom and Hitachi groups for the 4,800MW Medupi coal-fired power plant (AE 114/9). Issue 126, 16 November 2007.more
New load shedding adds to tariff pressure
South African consumers suffered rolling power cuts again on 26 October after losing electricity imports from the Cahora Bassa dam. The problem lay with a fault in the transmission line from Mozambique, and state utility Eskom said several generation units were on unplanned outages, compounding the supply crisis. Issue 125, 2 November 2007.more
Change of tack over wind power
For so long apparently unconvinced about putting resources into wind and other renewable power sources, Eskom has shifted gears on renewables over the past year, and is now expecting a fast-track approvals process for a planned 100MW wind power plant to be built near Koekenaap on SA’s West Coast. Issue 125, 2 November 2007.more
Orange River hydro project study
The presidents of South Africa and Namibia have approved a study of a joint hydroelectric project on the Orange River, which forms the countries’ common border. Issue 124, 19 October 2007.more
Eskom load-shedding hits regional supply
Bad weather and power plant maintenance plunged South African utility Eskom’s supply into crisis in early October, and affected supply throughout the Southern African Power Pool. Issue 124, 19 October 2007.more
South Coast Gas project starts
Pioneer Natural Resources Company has announced the start-up of production from the South Coast Gas (SCG) project in offshore Block 9 (AE 94/25). Issue 124, 19 October 2007.more
Eskom launches new OCGT plants
Eskom inaugurated two new open cycle gas turbine power plants in the Western Cape province on 1 October. The Ankerlig power station in Atlantis and Gourikwa power station in Mossel Bay represent the country’s first new power generation project since the end of apartheid in 1994 (AE 116/9). Issue 123, 5 October 2007.more
Ansaldo wins AES IPP turbines order
Italy’s Ansaldo Energia has won a e50m ($71m) order to supply two gas turbines to AES Corporation for a power plant in Port Elizabeth Issue 123, 5 October 2007.more
Pointer – Coal liquefaction Issue 123, 5 October 2007.more
South Africa’s new policy aims for nuclear self-sufficiency
The South African government has approved a draft nuclear energy policy that seeks to ensure “global leadership and self-sufficiency” in nuclear plant construction and fuel supply, and retains a leading role for state utility Eskom. Issue 122, 21 September 2007.more
Cross-border pipeline MoU
Petrofac’s Energy Developments division has signed a memorandum of understanding to take a stake in a planned pipeline and tank farm system to import petrol and diesel from the Maputo area and supply inland markets in South Africa. Issue 122, 21 September 2007.more
AES wins the race to build South Africa’s first IPPs
The government has selected an AES-led consortium to build two ground-breaking independent power projects in KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. Issue 120/121, 7 September 2007.more
South Africa’s huge CDM potential
According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, South Africa is in a position to generate some $400m from gas emissions reduction projects, given the scale of its industry and status as the world’s 19th biggest greenhouse gas emitter. Issue 120/121, 7 September 2007.more
Eskom seeks suppliers for 100MW wind farm
Eskom has invited wind turbine producers to submit expressions of interest for the 100MW wind farm it is considering developing to diversify its electricity production. Issue 119, 27 July 2007.more
Downstream oil update: Central and Southern
Southern Africa's refiners are struggling to meet growing demand, but several of the region's older refineries plan upgrade work enabling them to produce more and cleaner fuels. ExxonMobil is pulling out of downstream operations, selling to Total and to Tamoil Issue 119, 27 July 2007.more
Powering southern Africa a close run thing despite spending hike
The pace of project development is quickening across southern Africa as governments, utilities and investors get the measure of the dual challenge of tackling upcoming electricity capacity shortfalls and meeting the unexpected demands of economic growth, writes Jon Marks. Issue 118, 13 July 2007.more
World Bank backs renewables
The World Bank has approved a $17.3m programme to advance renewable energy development in South Africa. Issue 118, 13 July 2007.more
Southern power update: Namibia-Zimbabwe
As the region’s power supply swings from surplus into deficit, the emphasis is on cross-border co-operation and on big new generation projects. Issue 118, 13 July 2007.more
South Africa banks on coal and nuclear
South Africa is turning to its big twin guns of coal and nuclear to stop southern Africa being ravaged by power cuts in the next decade, writes our Cape Town Correspondent. Issue 116, 15 June 2007.more
Eskom’s winter of discontent
Eskom was forced to cut power supply in late May to consumers in Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces – the country’s economic centre – and warned that further outages were likely this winter (AE 114/9). Issue 115, 1 June 2007.more
Eskom licensed to build Medupi
The National Energy Regulator (Nersa) has given Eskom a licence to build the country’s first new coal-fired power station in more than 20 years. Issue 114, 18 May 2007.more
Eskom confirms appointment
Eskom Holdings has confirmed that Jacob Maroga will take over as chief executive on 1 May, replacing Thulani Gcabashe, who has served two terms since 2000 (AE 109/11). Issue 112, 20 April 2007.more
SA demand outstrips production
South African electricity consumption in February increased by an estimated 5.1% year-on-year, unchanged from the previous month’s growth, but still above national production, according to official data released by Statistics SA. Issue 112, 20 April 2007.more
South Africa looks to deep water for oil and gas
Energy-hungry South Africa sees its future oil and gas production coming increasingly from new deep-water areas like those on offer in the 2007 licensing round, but companies may be deterred by uncertainty over royalty terms, writes Thalia Griffiths. Issue 112, 20 April 2007.more
SA decisions will shape Kudu project
Key decisions about new generation capacity and importing feedstock or power to help make up for upcoming energy shortfalls that are made in South Africa will have a major influence of the shape of Namibia’s Kudu field gas and power plans. Issue 111, 23 March 2007.more
IPSA buys turbines for Coega
The UK’s IPSA Group has bought four Fiat Avio gas turbines with a total generating capacity of 500MW to be installed as part of the Coega Fast Track Project’s first phase (AE 103/12). Issue 111, 23 March 2007.more
Eskom scales up nuclear plans with second reactor by 2014
Eskom intends to commission a second nuclear power plant by 2014 as part of medium-term plans to install a further 2,000-3,000MW of nuclear capacity. Issue 109, 23 February 2007.more
CGGVeritas promotes round
The newly merged CGGVeritas has joined forces with Petroleum Agency of South Africa to promote the 2007 offshore licensing round, which offers potential oil and gas acreage in the shallow-water northern Orange Basin, the proximal Bredasdorp Basin, the deep-water and shelf of southern Orange Basin and the offshore Algoa Basin (AE 107/10). Issue 109, 23 February 2007.more
Eskom promises more power
Eskom has announced emergency plans to boost power supply after being forced into load-shedding by a series of breakdowns. On 18 January, eight units suffered “unplanned outages” resulting in a loss of 4,600MW, including 900MW from Unit 1 at the Koeberg nuclear power station. Issue 108, 7 February 2007.more
Ferrostaal launches offshore fabrication yard
Germany’s MAN Ferrostaal has launched the first phase of an offshore fabrication yard at Saldanha Bay, as part of its offset commitments related to the South Africa military’s purchase of three submarines (AE 93/7). Issue 108, 7 February 2007.more
GE gensets for landfill GTP
GE Energy is to supply Jenbacher generator sets for landfill methane gas-to-energy projects at two sites in the eThekwini region near Durban on the east coast in early 2007. Issue 107, 26 January 2007.more
IPSA Newcastle plant to start up in February
The UK’s IPSA says its Newcastle cogeneration plant in KwaZulu Natal should enter into commercial operation on 23 February. The plant’s formal inauguration is scheduled for 16 February. Issue 107, 26 January 2007.more
Petroleum Agency gives licensing round details
Petroleum Agency SA will launch its 2007 licensing round at promotional seminars in Johannesburg, London and Houston in March. Issue 107, 26 January 2007.more
Soaring demand poses stiff challenge for South African refining industry
Refiners are struggling to keep pace with soaring fuel demand, and there are already concerns about potential disruptions when South Africa hosts the football World Cup in 2010, writes Our South Africa Correspondent. Issue 107, 26 January 2007.more
Tax cloud for South African fuels industry
One of the biggest clouds on the horizon for South African fuel companies is a possible move to slap a windfall tax on energy firms’ profits, with Finance Minister Trevor Manuel considering revising a fiscal regime that has remained broadly unchanged since white minority rule. Issue 107, 26 January 2007.more
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