Chris Infotainment

NAPTIN Readiness to Train 1,500 Engineers and Technicians in the Power Sector The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has announced its readiness to train at least 1,500 engineers and technicians in the power sector. This initiative aims to enhance the country’s electricity supply and support the transformation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The announcement was made during a one-day Stakeholders’ Engagement event held in Abuja. Objectives of the Engagement The engagement, titled “Building a Skilled and Sustainable Workforce for NESI Transformation,” was part of the project “Enhancing Vocational Training Delivery for the Nigerian Power Sector.” This project is funded under the EU-AFD Project and organized in partnership with NAPTIN by the Consortium of Colenco Nigeria and AETS (France). Mr Ahmed Nagode, the Director-General of NAPTIN, emphasized the importance of the theme of the engagement. He stated that without a sustainable skilled workfor...

The Power Sector Crisis in Nigeria: A Call for Accountability The Nigerian House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee, tasked with investigating the power sector reforms and expenditures from 2007 to 2024, has raised serious concerns about the performance of electricity distribution companies (DisCos). The committee has accused these companies of significantly undermining the country's power supply system through years of inadequate investment, lack of expansion, and failure to meet their original business commitments. During a recent hearing, the committee chairman, Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, highlighted that most DisCos misled the government during the acquisition process by presenting ambitious business plans but failing to deliver on the necessary infrastructure upgrades. This lack of action has left the distribution networks in a state of disrepair more than a decade after privatization. Aliyu expressed his disbelief at the situation, noting that while the Transmission ...

Pakistan's Leadership in the Energy Transition Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has highlighted Pakistan's significant role in the region by implementing rapid reforms in the energy sector and promoting clean and renewable energy. His remarks were made during the Second Asia Energy Transition Summit, which was held via Zoom on Saturday at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The summit was organized jointly by the Pakistan Renewable Energy Coalition LUMS and the Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy. Global Shifts in Energy and Economic Dynamics Awais Leghari emphasized that global energy diplomacy and economic dynamics are evolving rapidly, profoundly affecting developing countries—particularly those in Asia. He referenced reports from the International Energy Agency and the United Nations, stating that the world is currently at a critical turning point in energy and climate governance. This shift underscor...

Committee Investigates Azura-Edo Power Plant's Financial Transactions The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee, tasked with examining Nigeria's power sector reforms and public expenditure from 2007 to 2024, has raised concerns over the financial dealings of the Azura-Edo Power Plant. During a hearing on Monday, the committee questioned the company regarding an alleged N18 billion received from the federal government through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) within a six-month period in 2023. This inquiry comes as the committee has summoned the chief executive officer of Azura-Edo Power Plant to appear before it on December 8, 2025. The committee expressed frustration over the CEO’s repeated failure to attend previous hearings despite multiple invitations. At the resumed session held in Abuja, the chairman of the committee, Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, demanded detailed explanations after discovering that Azura had not disclosed or accounted for the fun...

International Energy Agency Recommends South Korea Develop SMR Industrial Complex The International Energy Agency (IEA) has proposed that South Korea create a national industrial complex focused on the development and application of small modular reactors (SMRs). This recommendation is part of a broader set of 10 energy policy suggestions outlined in a report published last month. The initiative aims to position South Korea as a leader in next-generation nuclear technology. SMRs are compact nuclear reactors with an output of approximately 300 megawatts. Unlike traditional large-scale nuclear plants, which typically generate between 1,000 and 1,400 megawatts, SMRs integrate major components such as the reactor core and steam generator into a single unit. This design makes them more flexible and potentially easier to deploy in various settings. According to the IEA, SMRs have an accident probability of once every billion years, and even in the event of an incident, the damage would be...

Record-Breaking Electricity Demand in Kenya Kenya has witnessed a significant surge in electricity demand, with the peak demand reaching an unprecedented 2,418.77 Megawatts (MW) in November. This marks the fifth time this year that the country has set a new record for electricity consumption. The rising demand has raised concerns about the nation’s ability to meet its energy needs without resorting to power rationing. Peter Njenga, Managing Director of KenGen, revealed that the peak demand was recorded last month, surpassing the previous high of 2,411.98 MW set in October. This increase highlights the growing challenge faced by Kenya in maintaining a balance between supply and demand. Rising Consumption and Pressure on Local Production The increasing demand is driven by a combination of factors, including industrial activity and a rise in household connections. As more people connect to the grid, the pressure on local electricity generation intensifies. Despite efforts to boost pro...

Electricity has been fully restored to Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island off the southern coast, after a week-long outage caused by a damaged undersea cable, affecting more than 30,000 households and businesses. The An Giang Electricity Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned Southern Power Corporation (EVN), announced that power had been completely restored late Friday night via a temporary solution. Instead of waiting for complex full repairs, technicians installed a temporary overhead line from the shore of Ha Tien Ward and connected it to the undersea cable. The cable failure occurred on Nov. 29 when a construction unit working on the Ha Tien coastal road drove piles within the electrical safety corridor, damaging the critical link and causing power outages across the island's north. The incident affected nearly 30,000 households, numerous tourism facilities, and clean water supplies. An Giang Electricity Company installs a temporary overhead line to restore electricity ...

Thailand's Transition to Clean Energy: A Major Investment by Egat The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is making a significant move towards clean energy, with plans to allocate a substantial portion of its budget to support the country’s shift toward sustainable power generation. This initiative includes investments in both clean power generation and electricity transmission projects. Newly appointed Egat governor Narin Phoawanich has not revealed the exact amount of the budget allocated for these new projects. However, he did mention that some details are available. One of the key projects involves a 50-billion-baht investment to construct three new floating solar farms. These solar farms will be built at the Bhumibol dam in Tak province, as well as the Srinagarind and Vajiralongkorn dams in Kanchanaburi. The combined capacity of these facilities is expected to reach 1,638 megawatts. In addition to the floating solar farms, Egat plans to build three more pump...

The Shift in Energy Priorities U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick highlighted the investment destinations for South Korea's pledge under the Korea-U.S. tariff agreement, stating, "We will start with nuclear power." This indicates that a portion of the investments from South Korea and Japan will be directed towards the construction of nuclear power plants in the United States. President Trump had previously issued an executive order in May, instructing the Department of Energy to initiate the construction of 10 large reactors by 2030. The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Energy Demand The world has entered the AI era, where artificial intelligence is closely tied to electricity. The rapid growth of AI, the increasing demand for data centers—often referred to as "electricity-eating behemoths"—and the rise of electric vehicles have significantly increased global electricity demand. Nuclear power stands out as a reliable source of high-quality electricity at ...

Geothermal Energy Investment Set for Rapid Growth Global geothermal investment is expected to see significant growth in the coming years. According to Rystad Energy, capital spending on geothermal projects is projected to increase by approximately 20% annually through 2030. This upward trend highlights the growing interest in geothermal energy as a reliable and clean source of power. The expansion of geothermal interest is not limited to traditional markets. Governments and companies around the world are increasingly turning to geothermal energy to meet their clean energy goals. This shift is driven by the need for a stable, baseload energy supply that can complement intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. Cost Structure of Geothermal Projects Rystad Energy has provided insights into the cost structure of geothermal projects, noting that it remains relatively consistent across different regions. The majority of spending goes toward surface facilities, which account for...

Zambia's Electricity Generation Capacity Surges in 2024 Zambia's national installed electricity generation capacity has seen a significant increase, rising from 3,811.32 MW in 2023 to 3,871.32 MW in 2024. This growth was largely attributed to the expansion of solar power plants, particularly the Kitwe solar plants operated by the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC). These plants increased their capacity from 34 MW in 2023 to 94 MW in 2024. This development marks a positive shift for Zambia, especially when compared to 2022, when the country's installed power generation capacity stood at 3,493 MW according to Zesco. However, despite this progress, the current actual generation figures are still far below the national demand, leading to a widening power deficit and frequent load-shedding. According to official data from the Ministry of Energy, as of November 2025, the average power generation was 1,339 MW against an average demand of 2,450 MW. This results in a substantial...

Introduction to LNG in Nepal Nepal has witnessed a significant development in its energy sector with the introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by a private company, Yogya Holding. This marks the first time that LNG is being imported and supplied in the country. The process of converting natural gas into LNG involves cooling it to about minus 162 degrees Celsius, which reduces its volume by approximately 600 times, making it easier to store and transport. Once it reaches its destination, the LNG is re-gasified and delivered through pipelines. How LNG is Produced The production of LNG begins with the extraction of natural gas from underground deposits. Impurities such as water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur are removed during this process. Yogya Holding, a subsidiary of SG Group, has invested around Rs600 million to establish an LNG plant in Simara, Bara. The company started importing and distributing LNG from this plant a week ago. SG Group has a long history of bottling and sup...

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Vice Chairman Calls for Faster Meter Rollout The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Musiliu Oseni, has emphasized the importance of accelerating the distribution of electricity meters across the country. He highlighted that between 600,000 and 700,000 meters are currently available, urging distribution companies (DisCos) to expedite their rollout and enhance communication with the public. During a recent address at the 4th NESI Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja, Oseni noted that the government has already invested in making these meters accessible. It is now up to the DisCos to ensure that they reach customers promptly and efficiently. “There are currently 600,000 to 700,000 meters available in the country. Utilities must improve publicity. The government has made the investment, so the DisCos need to step up,” he stated. Transition to State Electricity Regulatory Commissions Oseni also addressed the ongoi...

Strategic Partnership Between Doosan Enerbility and KEPCO KPS Doosan Enerbility has recently announced a significant business agreement with KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd. This collaboration aims to expand their presence in the global power generation market by jointly developing overseas projects and modernizing aging power plants. The partnership is expected to leverage the combined strengths of both companies, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. Objectives of the Agreement The primary goal of this agreement is to advance into new overseas power generation businesses and modernization projects for aging power plants. Doosan Enerbility brings its expertise in EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) execution and power generation equipment manufacturing. On the other hand, KEPCO KPS contributes its advanced power plant maintenance technology. Together, they aim to combine these capabilities to deliver comprehensive solutions for internati...

Innovation in Gas Production Boosts Nigeria's Energy Security The NNPC/Heirs Energies Joint Venture (JV) has made a significant breakthrough by successfully implementing a rigless recompletion of a key non-associated gas well in the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17. This pioneering operation, the first of its kind in Nigeria, has doubled the JV’s gas output to a peak of 135 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d). This achievement has not only enhanced domestic gas supply but also strengthened the nation’s energy security. Transforming Power Generation This increase in gas production has had a transformative effect on power generation across the eastern network. Transcorp PLC – TransAfam Power, one of Nigeria’s leading power generation plants, has quadrupled its output, rising from an average of 50 megawatts to more than 180 megawatts, with peaks of 200 megawatts. Other power plants supplied by the network, including First Independent Power Limited (FIPL) and Geometric Power, hav...

Sri Lanka's New Wind Power Plant Aims to Boost Renewable Energy Sri Lanka is taking significant steps towards achieving its renewable energy goals with the planned construction of a 204 MW wind power plant in the Kiranchi-Veravil area of the Kilinochchi district. This project is part of the government’s broader strategy to maximize the contribution of renewable energy sources to the national electricity grid. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody recently visited the site of the proposed wind power plant to assess its progress and ensure that all necessary preparations are in place for the project’s implementation. The visit took place on Tuesday, November 25, and focused on the details of the wind power project, which is expected to add substantial renewable energy capacity to the country’s power supply. Objectives and Benefits of the Project The primary objective of the project is to harness the wind power potential in the northern region of Sri Lanka, which has long been underdeve...

Introduction to the UHT Transmission Line Project The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has initiated a pre-qualification process for contractors interested in constructing new ultra-high-voltage alternating current (UHT) transmission lines. These lines, spanning approximately 1,000 kilometers, will connect the Boujdour and Tensift regions, enabling the efficient transport of electricity over long distances. This project is a key component of ONEE’s broader strategy to enhance the national electricity transmission network and support Morocco’s energy transition. It is part of a comprehensive portfolio of major electrical infrastructure projects that include both operational, under-construction, and developing initiatives led by the Office. Strategic Importance of the Project Among the notable projects within this portfolio is the future high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link, which is currently being developed to directly connect southern Morocco to the cen...

Nepal and Bangladesh Expand Electricity Trade Kathmandu, Nov. 27 — Nepal and Bangladesh have taken a significant step in their energy cooperation by agreeing to increase electricity imports from Nepal to Bangladesh. The new agreement involves an additional 20 megawatts (MW) of electricity, bringing the total import capacity to 60 MW. This decision was made during the 7th Nepal-Bangladesh Energy Secretary-level Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting held in Dhaka. The meeting was co-chaired by Nepal's Energy Secretary Chiranjeevi Chataut and Farzana Momtaz, secretary at the Ministry of Power, Bangladesh. The decisions were based on recommendations from a joint task force that met earlier in November under the leadership of Sandeep Kumar Dev from Nepal's Ministry of Energy and KM Ali Reza from Bangladesh's Ministry of Power. According to the Ministry of Energy, "It has been agreed that Bangladesh will import an additional 20 megawatts of electricity, and Nepal will p...

Prepaid Meter Installation Sparks Controversy in Hwange’s Ingagula Suburb The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has announced the rollout of prepaid electricity meter installations in Hwange’s Ingagula suburb. This move, however, has been met with immediate criticism from residents who have long awaited relocation from an area deemed unsafe due to pollution. In a notice titled Notice of commencement of prepayment meter installation , ZETDC senior customer service officer Simon Dube stated that the initiative follows resolutions made at a recent meeting with the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC). The project aims to transition the area from a bulk metering system to individual prepaid meters. According to the notice, the installation will begin on November 25, 2025. Residents and stakeholders were requested to notify employees and offer “full co-operation — to ensure a smooth and efficient transition.” Despite these assurances, the announcement has trigger...

ADF Provides Critical Funding to Complete Liberia’s Hydropower Project The African Development Fund (ADF) has taken a significant step in supporting Liberia's renewable energy ambitions by approving a $7.41 million financial injection to complete the Renewable Energy for Electrification project. This initiative is a key component of the country's efforts to expand access to electricity and promote sustainable development. The funding is specifically aimed at addressing critical financial and operational challenges that have delayed the project. At the heart of this initiative is the construction of a 9.34-megawatt run-of-river hydropower plant located at Gbedin Falls in Nimba County. This plant is expected to play a vital role in meeting the energy needs of the region. Addressing Financial and Operational Challenges The additional loan is intended to overcome cost overruns that have occurred during the construction phase of the hydropower plant. It will also cover expenses ...