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Release, the containerised solar power unit set up by Norway’s Scatec, has signed agreements for solar PV and battery projects in Cameroon and Chad – the first large utility and mini-grid contracts it has signed since being launched in 2019.

With the imminent start of commercial operations at its 250MW West Bakr wind farm in Egypt, renewable power generation company Lekela Power will have installed more than 1GW of operating capacity in Africa, creating a company from which private equity firm Actis could now exit, writes Dan Marks

The more optimistic mood emerging in the long under-performing electricity supply industry suggests Nigeria is on the right track in some areas of government-led reform. But persistent failures to develop hydrocarbons resources continue to depress output, raising the spectre of stranded assets despite the key role for gas in the domestic energy transition, while political tensions and conflict around the nation pose real doubts about the future, write African Energy staff and correspondents

A new era of energy co-operation between North Africa and Europe is emerging amid a raft of export-focused projects ranging from renewables-powered electricity links to green hydrogen and data centres. Some of the plans are undoubtedly speculative but others are advancing towards financial close and construction, write John Hamilton, Jon Marks and Our Casablanca Correspondent.

Nothing is what it seems in a political environment dominated by insincerity and double-dealing – not even the apparent victory of hydrocarbons sector bastion Mustafa Sanalla in his bitter show-down with oil and gas minister Mohammed Aoun.

France’s Total Eren and AIM-listed Chariot have signed an agreement to develop 430MW of solar and wind power to supply First Quantum Minerals (FQM)’s mines in Zambia.

The parastatal Central Electricity Board (CEB) issued two tenders on 18 March, requesting bidders for a total 140MW of solar PV and storage and 40MW of small renewable energy (RE) hybrid projects. The tenders come less than a month after CEB renewable energy and strategic projects manager Chavan Dabeedin was arrested on a charge of bribery of a public official in relation to the ‘Saint Louisgate’ scandal.

Texas-based Schlumberger Rod Lift (SRL) has agreed to pay a $160,000 fine to the US authorities to settle a 2015-16 violation of US sanctions against Sudan; the sanctions were lifted in October 2017.

Off-grid plants of up to 10MW are to be permitted in mini-grid zones to attract private sector investment as part of a major new initiative to increase rural electrification. Stakeholders in late October outlined bold policy reforms to overcome low rates of electrification – with an overall official access rate of only 40%, falling to just 8% in rural areas – that have added to popular criticism of the authorities’ ability to drive inclusive development.

In a widely expected development, given their plunging bilateral relations, Algeria has withdrawn Sonatrach’s exports via the GME pipeline, which delivers natural gas to Morocco and Spain – posing a range of geopolitical and energy supply questions, write Dominic Dudley and Jon Marks.

President Hichilema’s new government plans to increase electricity and petrol prices in moves to restore Zambia’s fiscal fitness but which worry a majority of Zambians. To limit the pain, the UPND administration is seeking other ways of turning around insolvent utility Zesco, senior sources told Chiwoyu Sinyangwe in Lusaka.

The Saied administration is expected to push ahead with its renewable power procurement programme, despite significant constitutional, legal and political barriers, writes John Hamilton

Reports that Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen) head Mustapha Bakkoury has fallen from grace and is under investigation for alleged management abuses have underlined the perception that the kingdom’s ambitious renewable energy (RE) programme is in trouble, confronted by delays, cost over-runs and high prices for electricity generated by the agency’s ground-breaking Noor Ouarzazate scheme.

A new International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement to underpin a faltering economy is becoming more likely as terms are hammered out by a government terrified of being seen to be caving in to the demands of perceived powerful foreign influences and an international community keen not to be seen dictating to a government that emerged from the 2011 ‘Arab Spring’ revolts as a rare functioning democracy.

Shifting global priorities, security and reputational concerns have made oil majors reassess their onshore operations, but IOCs will stay in the Nigerian offshore, encouraged by the prospect of the long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill becoming law later this year. Meanwhile emerging Nigerian entrepreneurs are looking to new opportunities closer to shore, write Jon Marks and Camilla Nytun.