Power in a time of pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on the world, with lives lost and economies shrinking.
South Africa
Rig sets sail for South Africa’s Luiperd drilling
The Odjfell Deepsea Stavanger is on its way to South Africa, to drill more wells for Total.
Investing in South Africa’s sunshine
UK investors are faced with a fundamental problem around solar, in that the sun does not shine that much.
Total signs on for Renergen distribution
Renergen has signed a deal on the distribution of its LNG through Total South Africa Proprietary’s service stations.
South Africa plans state petroleum merger
South Africa will merge the three subsidiaries of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) into one National Petroleum Company.
Lockdown easing sparks South African fuel shortages
South Africa has “inadequate” stocks of diesel, an industry body has warned, as demand has accelerated beyond expectations with the easing of lockdown limitations.
Sasol denies fuel station sale plan
Sasol has denied that it plans to sell off its downstream fuel retail business, saying that it was instead committed to expanding this work in South Africa.
South Africa fund looks to buy Sasol assets to end losses
South Africa’s state-owned Central Energy Fund is considering buying assets that have been put on the block by fuel and chemical maker Sasol as it seeks to restore itself to profitability.
Eskom faces Kendal shutdown over emissions
Eskom has been instructed to halt work at a number of units at its Kendal power plant by the South African Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF).
QP enters Cote d’Ivoire with Total deal
Qatar Petroleum (QP) has signed farm-in agreements with Total on two blocks offshore Cote d’Ivoire.
Africa Oil sees Nigerian profits roll in
Africa Oil paid down $45.2 million of its debt during the first quarter, after receiving $87.5mn from its stake in three major Nigerian oilfields.
IDEAS ups SA renewable holdings
A fund owned by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) has sold stakes in two South African renewables projects to another AIIM fund.
Room to run for Renergen
Renergen’s Virginia project in South Africa has some of the hallmarks of a classic small-scale gas production plan, but with the added wrinkle of a shift to helium.
Efora’s pan-African outlook
Efora Energy sees its future as balanced between the exploration assets, where it began, and the fuel supply side, where it has focused in recent times.
Scatec starts up South African solar
Scatec Solar has completed its 258 MW solar power plant at Upington, in South Africa.
Sasol to reduce refinery runs during lockdown
Sasol has set out plans to reduce throughput at some of its plants, as South Africa goes into lockdown, while ratings agencies have become more cautious on the company’s outlook.
Africa Energy plans four wells this year
Drilling is expected to go ahead as planned at South Africa’s Block 11B/12B, with the first Luiperd well due in June.
Report criticises South Africa’s Inga folly
South Africa should reconsider its role in the ambitious Inga III hydropower project in Congo Kinshasa, a report has argued.
African states scramble for coronavirus response
Coronavirus has begun to spread in Africa, triggering governments to impose lockdowns and take steps to tackle the pandemic.
A crisis with no urgency: Eskom
South Africa has many challenges but perhaps the most emblematic is Eskom and the country’s power sector.
Sasol’s Lake Charles pain continues
Scrapping its dividend, Sasol laid out a tough set of results with earnings down 72% at 4.5 billion rand ($297 million) with its Lake Charles project in the US continuing to drag the South African company down.
Eskom plans shift to regular maintenance
Eskom has set out plans for a new “philosophy maintenance”, under which its power plants will be serviced in line with how they were supposed to be, while also seeking cost savings and taking a harder line with lenders.
Africa’s No. 1 Bank Commits to Disclosing Fossil-Fuel Exposure
FirstRand Ltd, Africa’s biggest bank by market value, has committed to disclosing its fossil fuel-related assets and lending but said it can’t meet a deadline requested by some investors.
Total signs on to Maputo LNG import plan
Total and South African gas facilities developer Gigajoule have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) on the import of LNG into Maputo.
Hawks arrest ANC MP over Eskom probe allegations
South Africa’s Hawks police squad has arrested a former minister Bongani Bongo, and MP from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, over alleged improprieties at the Eskom power utility.