Washington, United States | AFP | US President Barack Obama on Friday declared portions of the Arctic off-limits for oil exploration for the next five years, dealing a blow to Republican efforts to expand fossil fuel extraction. The decision means new oil and gas exploration leasing in the Chukchi Sea …
Read More »Russian economy minister sacked, held over ‘$2mn-bribe’ charges
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev was sacked Tuesday and put under house arrest on suspicion of pocketing a two-million-dollar bribe in a deal involving state-controlled oil giant Rosneft. Ulyukayev is the highest ranking official detained over suspected corruption since President Vladimir Putin took power in …
Read More »BUSINESS BRIEFS: NSSF increases stake in Umeme, MTN cuts rates
The National Social Security Fund has bought more shares in power distributor Umeme, increasing its stake from 14% to 23 %. NSSF boss Richard Byarugaba said Fund’s decision was in line with “our statutory mandate to invest NSSF members savings for high returns.” He said the Fund has reached an …
Read More »Chinese angry with Museveni
Threat to cut funding leads to fight among energy bosses Sparks are flying between President Yoweri Museveni and his Chinese lenders, Exim Bank, on one hand and between Ministry of Energy officials and of the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL) on the other. Trouble is over the piling up …
Read More »Tesla expands its portfolio to produce solar roof tiles
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Electric carmaker Tesla has diversified into the alternative energy business, on Friday unveiling solar roofs for environmentally friendly homes. “Global warming is a serious crisis and we need to do something about that,” company founder Elon Musk said during a news conference at …
Read More »VIDEO: MPs’ probe of Isimba, Karuma mess halted
VIDEO: Attempts by the legislators to engage technocrats from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development on the situation that has seen substandard work executed at Karuma and Isimba power dams hit an abrupt end after the permanent secretary Kabagambe Kalisa declined to comment on the matters citing the subjudice rule. …
Read More »South Africa basks in continent’s first solar-powered airport
George, South Africa | AFP | At first glance there’s nothing out of the ordinary about the regional airport in George, a town of just 150,000 residents on South Africa’s south coast. In fact though, the small site is Africa’s first “green” airport to be powered by the sun. The …
Read More »VIDEO: Museveni promises 6 cents power reduction
VIDEO: President Yoweri Museveni has blamed the high power tariffs in the country on mistakes that were made during the construction of Bujagali power dam. Speaking during the opening of 24th edition of the Uganda International trade fair, Museveni assured manufacturers that they will enjoy a significant reduction from 11 …
Read More »Even darker days for Nigeria, as power supply gets worse
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Balogun Shakirat woke up with a start at 3:00 am and put on the light in her workshop in a crowded working class district of Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos. In the following three hours, she was able to sew shirts, trousers and a jacket. Then …
Read More »Surge in renewable energy investment in East Africa
Renewable electricity made up 65% of the East African region’s total installed, grid connected power generating capacity in 2015, a new report has revealed. This is significantly higher than other parts of sub-Saharan Africa where currently it stands at 28.6% and 23.5% in the ECOWAS and SADC regions respectively. Renewable Energy Policy Network …
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