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Both BP and Eni have been looking to offload their stakes in major Russian energy assets in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, with Algeria mooted as a potential buyer for one key project.

Ongoing squabbles between backers of Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) and Power Market Limited (PML) have paralysed the development of the power sector in Malawi, according to developers. Although PML started operations in 2020 and nominally took over the single buyer role last year, Escom still controls the bulk transaction and stabilisation account for the sector, often referred to as the master accounts. This gives it a high level of de facto control over the sector, including offtake agreements.

South African independent power producer (IPP) Sturdee Energy has begun work on a 3MW solar PV project at Bobonong, in central Botswana. The IPP was awarded the scheme, along with a 1MW project in Shakawe, in February 2020 by Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) under a tender for grid-tied solar projects. The plants have a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) and are thought to be the first private sector renewable energy projects in Botswana to supply BPC.

Tronox Holdings is the latest energy-intensive company to make use of regulatory changes opening the electricity market in South Africa to more producers and consumers. The titanium dioxide producer has signed a power purchase agreement with Sola Group for 200MW of solar PV capacity.

The German-backed Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (Nacag) is financing fertiliser manufacturer Sable Chemicals project to design, install and commission nitrous oxide (N20) abatement technology and emissions monitoring equipment at its plants in Kwekwe, central Zimbabwe. Sable has launched a tender with a bid deadline on 14 June.

Zesco’s commitment to Sinohydro carries a sovereign guarantee, adding to Zambia’s huge commitment to Beijing. Over 30% of Zambia’s $14bn-plus sovereign debt is attributed to Chinese lending to Zesco for generation and transmission projects.

Savannah subsidiary Accugas has signed an addendum to a gas sales agreement with First Independent Power (FIPL) which could see Accugas increase supplies by 30 mcf/d to 65 mcf/d.

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) scheme has secured more funding for studies – this time from the Opec Fund for International Development – despite some scepticism about the mega-project’s potential to ever get off the ground. Consultants have been lining up, with Australia’s Worley contracted to provide engineering services.

Independent power producers (IPPs) have agreed to lower the price at which they sell electricity to Zambia's state power utility Zesco, according to energy minister Peter Kapala.

Mining giant Anglo American has unveiled a 2MW hydrogen-battery truck at its Mogalakwena platinum group metals (PGM) mine in Limpopo province, as it moves to replace diesel engines with hydrogen fuel cells.

Portugal’s Galp and technical partner Shell have spudded the Jaca well in block 6, in offshore São Tomé and Principe. Jaca is an ultra-deep-water exploration well, targeting a cretaceous play.

Dutch cooperative and social investor Oikocredit will invest $1.5m to boost energy access in rural communities.

Société Nationale d’Electricité has issued three tenders for the construction of transmission lines and electrification works forming part of an African Development Bank-financed electrification project.

With strong international support, the government is pushing ahead with the restructuring of state distribution companies Electricity Corporation of Ghana (ECG) and Volta River Authority (VRA) subsidiary Northern Electricity Distribution Company to create much stronger offtakers whose more robust power project agreements can encourage investment by independent power producers, power minister Kwabena Donkor told the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in Dubai on 9 June.

Following a successful appraisal well late last year, Afren plc and its partner Oriental Energy Resources plan to start up the Ebok field in early 2010 with production of 15,000-25,000 b/d, rising to 35,000-50,000 b/d by year-end.