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The latest version of the South African government’s Integrated Resource Plan, issued in early January and now open for public feedback, advocates the longer-term use of coal-fired power plants and reduces renewables’ role in the overall energy mix, prompting a strong reaction from industry observers, as critics claim it will set back the energy transition, writes Tonderayi Mukeredzi.

Bureaucratic hurdles are delaying the commissioning of the completed 1.65MWp Marco Borero Nyeri solar PV plant in Kenya, highlighting the difficulties facing small local independent power producers (IPPs).

African electricity markets are on the threshold of genuine reform in 2024, even if policy-makers’ grandest ambitions are destined to meet with disappointment. African Energy has examined the first data that has emerged from the third development phase of the African Union’s Continental Master Plan and found much to applaud.

It is unlikely electric cars will come to dominate African roads for decades, but in the likes of Kenya and Benin battery-powered buses, motorbikes and industrial vehicles could have a radical impact on urban environments and commercial operations. Investors are lining up to support e-mobility projects in the most attractive markets, but in many jurisdictions the lack of capital, infrastructure and policy support and the high cost of vehicles are holding back what could be a revolution, write Tonderayi Mukeredzi and Jon Marks.

Nairobi-headquartered industrial company Abyssinia Iron and Steel has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Norway’s Empower for a solar PV plant at Abyssinia’s Awasi factory.

Actis, a prominent UK-owned backer of African power projects, has been acquired by US equity investor General Atlantic for an undisclosed amount. The electricity industry will be looking to see how Africa fits into Actis’ plans as it comes under new management.

EDF subsidiary Production Energie Insulaire (PEI) has completed the conversion of the utility’s 211MW Port Est plant to run solely on biomass. Réunion’s second biomass-only plant advances the French overseas territory’s 2030 renewables goal.

National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s approval of an electricity trading licence for the ambitious Anglo-American/EDF joint venture Envusa Energy highlights the growing role of traders in the electricity supply market.

French utility Engie has concluded the purchase of BTE Renewables’ South African assets from private equity investor Actis, six months after the deal was announced. It is the second significant South Africa development for Engie in recent weeks, following financial close on the Grootspruit and Graspan solar PV plants on 30 November.

Saudi developer Acwa Power has signed a power purchase agreement for its Dao hybrid project under South Africa’s long-delayed risk mitigation independent power producer procurement (RMIPPP) programme.

According to a number of people close to the project, the final delivery cost for the 750MW Kafue Gorge Lower hydroelectric power (HEP) station is now expected to be some $300m less than the previously expected, after refinancing by Zambian state utility Zesco and the main contractor. Zesco managing director Victor Mapani outlined to African Energy the expected impact on the final tariff that Kafue Gorge Lower Power Development Corporation (KGLPDC) charges to Zesco.    

Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has launched a $54m ‘green’ bond, as part of a larger $200m programme of issuance to fund an expansion of its solar photovoltaic generation capacity to 300MW.

Mining and metals group Sibanye-Stillwater has reached financial close on two renewable energy projects that will provide power to its operations via a wheeling agreement with state-owned utility Eskom.

Kenya's  Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (Rerec) has commissioned the Mageta Island solar PV mini-grid in Bondo, Siaya county.

State utility Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has started work to connect the 2.1GW Julius Nyerere hydroelectric power (HEP) plant to Chalinze substation in Pwani district, via a 400kV power transmission line built by India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T).