Energy

South African mines might start generating their own power

Published by Claude Harding on 3 February 2012

Mining companies’ concerns over electricity supply in South Africa are fuelling a drive towards self-sufficiency, with some mines on the point of investing in their own power generation facilities.

Siemens enters Africa’s wind energy market

Published by Claude Harding on 30 January 2012

Germany-based Siemens has received its first wind turbine orders in Africa, marking the multinational’s entry into the continent’s wind market.

From humble beginnings to a $50m petroleum company

Published by Regina Ekiru on 12 December 2011

Regina Ekiru speaks to Ahmed Hashi about how he built Hashi Energy into a $50 million business.

Sub-Saharan Africa should encourage investment in energy sector

Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 11 December 2011

The ordeal faced by governments in sub-Saharan Africa along with the rest of the world is not only to meet the increasing demand for energy but to also tackle climate change issues.

SA’s first wind turbine manufacturer gearing up for production

Published by Jaco Maritz on 31 October 2011

How we made it in Africa talks to Thomas Schaal, co-founder of I-WEC, South Africa’s first large-scale wind turbine producer.

Oil could transform Namibia into an economy like Norway

Published by Jaco Maritz on 4 August 2011

Potential crude oil resources off the coast of Namibia could have a considerable impact on the country that has a population of just over 2 million.

China to build power plant in Central African Republic

Published by Staff Writer on 25 July 2011

The Central African Republic (CAR) said on Monday it had signed a 14 billion CFA franc ($30.6 million) deal with a Chinese company to complete construction of a 10 megawatt power plant that would increase power supply to the capital.

How the DRC’s Inga project could solve much of Africa’s power problems

Published by Claude Harding on 20 June 2011

The Inga dam hydropower scheme in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has the potential to dramatically change Central Africa’s energy supply situation.

TransCentury has acquired DRC-based power cable company, Cableries du Congo.

Power continues to be a challenge in Southern Africa

Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 1 June 2011

Power shortages are a concern not just in the lesser developed countries in Africa, but even in the continent’s economic powerhouse.

There is a perception gap about doing business in Africa, says Siemens boss

Published by Claude Harding on 15 May 2011

The image of the continent portrayed by the media is very gloomy. “When I first got this job, business colleagues thought it was not a promotion, it was a punishment.”

Interview: Doing business in South Africa’s power sector

Published by Nermin Musovic on 22 November 2010

Salvador von Neuberg, CEO of Bilfinger Berger Power Holdings, says South Africa’s power sector holds good growth potential.

Good news for investors as Zimbabwe plans a blackout-free future

Published by Claude Harding on 5 November 2010

Zimbabwe has a master-plan to ensure power supply constraints don’t put a brake on the country’s strategy for sustained economic growth.

Actis increases stake in West African power plant

Published by Staff Writer on 2 November 2010

Actis, a private equity investor focused solely on emerging markets, has confirmed that its portfolio company, Globeleq, has acquired a majority interest in the Azito gas-fired power plant near Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire.

Large scale wind farm to be built in Cape Verde

Published by Claude Harding on 10 October 2010

A large scale onshore wind farm of more than 28 megawatts is to be established on four islands in the Cape Verde archipelago.