#electricity

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in collaboration with the European Union and the German Government, inaugurated a 504kW interconnected mini-grid in Epe on Wednesday. This development comes after years of power outages in the community due to equipment vandalism, marking a significant step towards restoring electricity access for residents.

Nigeria's electricity sector may encounter increased supply challenges due to drought conditions induced by El Niño, which threaten hydropower generation throughout West Africa, according to BMI.

The Federal Government of Nigeria claims it is addressing the electricity sector's debt, stating it has reached approximately N4 trillion. However, Generation Companies (GENCOs) dispute this figure, asserting that the actual debt is N7 trillion and that no payments have been made. This ongoing disagreement highlights the tensions between the government and GENCOs regarding the financial status of the power sector.

Despite a reduction in load shedding and fewer power cuts in South Africa, electricity bills are increasing. This rise in costs is attributed to significant tariff increases approved by the National Energy Regulator, leading to confusion among consumers about why prices are climbing when the power supply is more stable.

The City of Johannesburg has secured a loan of R3.8 billion aimed at addressing its electricity issues. The funds will be used to tackle the backlog in maintenance and major capital works, which is expected to take time to resolve.

Lagos State has established the Independent System Operator (LAISO) to oversee the state's electricity market and enhance the reliability of power supply, as part of its new Electr initiative. This move aims to improve the management of electricity distribution in the region.

The World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have successfully connected over 50 million people to electricity through their Mission 300 initiative, which spans 40 African countries. This effort aims to accelerate electricity access across the continent.

A global report released by the WHO and partners indicates that over 655 million people worldwide lack access to electricity, while nearly two billion depend on polluting fuels for cooking. This situation poses significant health risks and exacerbates existing inequalities, highlighting a potential global energy and health crisis.

Kenya Power has announced planned electricity outages on June 26, affecting eight counties, including Kisii, for maintenance purposes. The update provides details on the specific areas impacted and the expected restoration times for power services.

A report indicates that while Africa has seen growth in hydropower generation, Nigeria continues to face significant challenges with chronic power shortages, frequent grid failures, and a substantial electricity access deficit, despite having considerable hydropower resources.

A study tracking 3,139 power plants in Africa reveals that fossil fuels continue to dominate the continent's electricity generation, with only about 57% of the population having access to electricity, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve the United Nations goal of universal access to affordable electricity by 2030, rapid expansion of electricity generation is necessary. However, this expansion poses challenges related to water resources and climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, particularly coal-fired ones.

Johannesburg has taken out a significant loan to address its electricity issues, as the city's power infrastructure and billing systems require urgent improvements. A survey indicated that only 38% of residents were satisfied with their electricity services in 2023/2024, a sharp decline from 77% in 2017/18. The auditor general reported that the city allocated only 1% of its operating budget for maintenance in 2024/25, well below the recommended 8%.

The article titled "A Letter from Glasgow" discusses the consistent availability of electricity in Glasgow, highlighting that the lights have never gone off there. This observation is presented in the context of the author's experiences and reflections. The piece was originally published on The Elephant.

Germany is reconsidering its plans to abandon coal-powered electricity due to the rising costs of natural gas. The shift in energy strategy reflects the challenges posed by fluctuating fuel prices and the need for reliable energy sources.

Uganda's electricity regulator has announced that power tariffs will remain largely unchanged for the second quarter of 2026, as a strengthening shilling has balanced out a slight increase in global fuel prices. The Electricity Regulatory Authority noted that the approved end-user tariffs for April to June reflect changes in macroeconomic factors, but ultimately maintain stable pricing. The Ugandan shilling appreciated against the US dollar, reducing pressure on costs associated with dollar-denominated electricity generation.