الأربعاء، 28 يونيو 2017

Egypt announces raise fuel prices


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Prior end of June , end of fiscal year 2016/017 , Egypt announced raise fuel prices for the second time since the devaluation of the pound in November 2016.
The government raised the price of gasoline 92 octane to 5 pounds (about 0.28 dollars) per liter from 3.5 Egyptian pounds, an increase of about 43 percent, raised the price of 80 octane gasoline (popular type ) to 3.65 pounds from 2.35 pounds, up 55 percent. Price of gasoline 95 rose slightly to 6.60 pounds per liter from 6.25 pounds, up 5.6 percent. (rich type). Egypt raised the price of diesel to 3.65 pounds per liter from 2.35 Egyptian pounds, up 55 percent. The price of the cooking gas has increased from 15 to 30 pounds too.
The price of car gas rose 25 percent to 2 pounds per cubic meter from 1.60 Egyptian pounds.
Owing to those raises , Government said : total volume of petroleum subsidies in the fiscal year 2017-2018, which starts on current July 1st, will reach 110 billion Egyptian pounds, down from 145 billion previously targeted.
Today, Thursday , July.6 , the electricity prices , would increase ,for the third time in row , affected current July, to reduce government subsidies for this sector.




الثلاثاء، 20 يونيو 2017

General Assembly of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company , الجمعية العامة العادية والغير عادية للشركة القابضة لكهرباء مصر


انعقاد الجمعية العامة العادية والغير عادية للشركة القابضة لكهرباء مصر بحضور «شاكر»


انعقد صباح  الثلاثاء 20 يونيو الجمعية العامة العادية والغير عادية للشركة القابضة لكهرباء مصر برئاسة د. محمد شاكر وزير الكهرباء والطاقة المتجددة 
 عرض د. شاكر إنجازات قطاع الكهرباء المستهدفة بالموازنة التخطيطية للعام المالى 2017 /2018 لزيادة القدرات المولدة، وتحسين كفاءة الطاقة ، والحرص على تنوع مصادر الطاقة سواء من مصادر متجددة أو فحم أو نووى ، مؤكداً على نجاح القطاع بفضل المساندة والدعم الفعال من جانب القيادة السياسية في التغلب على التحديات التي تواجهه مما ساهم في تحقيق الاستقرار للشبكة القومية وتغطية الفجوة بين الإنتاج والطلب على الكهرباء.
 استعرض م. جابر دسوقى رئيس مجلس إدارة الشركة القابضة لكهرباء مصر تقريراً عن المؤشرات التى تحققت بموازنة العام المالى 2017/2018  تضمنت :
- إضافة قدرات للشبكة القومية بحوالي 14081 ميجاوات لترتفع معها القدرات الأسمية إلى 58229 ميجاوات بنسبة تطور 31% عن العام المالى المتوقع 2016/2017.
-  زيادة الطاقة المولدة إلى 199,9 مليار كيلووات . ساعة بنسبة تطور 4.3% عن العام المالى المتوقع 2016/2017.
-  الاستمرار في إجراءات مراجعة كفاءة محطات توليد الكهرباء القائمة وإجراء الصيانة والعمرات اللازمة للتأكد من جاهزيتها دون التأثير على استمرارية التغذية لكافة قطاعات الدولة.
-  استكمال تنفيذ خطة تدعيم الشبكة لتكون قادرة على تفريغ الأحمال المتوقعة.
-  استمرارالتنسيق المستمر مع قطاع البترول لتوفير الوقود اللازم للمحطات.
-  الاستمرار في تنفيذ الخطة الموضوعة لدفع برامج ترشيد وكفاءة استخدام الطاقة قدماً وما يتضمنه ذلك من استكمال الحملة الإعلامية لرفع الوعى وزيادة ثقافة ترشيد استهلاك الطاقة.
- تنفيذ استثمارات بحوالي 82.8 مليار جنيه منها حوالى 34.2 مليار جنيه تخص محطات الخطة العاجلة ومشروعات سيمنس بمواقع (العاصمة الإدارية، البرلس، بنى سويف).
- زيادة عدد المشتركين إلى 34.9 مليون مشترك بنسبة تطور 4% عن العام المالى المتوقع 2016/2017.
-  متوسط تكلفة للـ ك.و.س مباع حوالى 95.3 قرش/ك.و.س مقابل متوسط سعر بيع مستهدف 53 قرش / ك.و.س بنسبة تغطية 56% من التكلفة.
- نتيجة عدم حصول شركات الكهرباء على كامل الدعم المستحق لها واستمرار عدم تغطية متوسط سعر البيع لمتوسط تكلفة الـ ك.و.س وعدم كفاية الاعتمادات المدرجة بالموازنة العامة للدولة لتغطية استهلاك الجهات الحكومية من الكهرباء متوقع أن يستمر العجز النقدى الذى تعانيه شركات الكهرباء منذ سنوات مما سيؤثر على سداد الالتزامات المستحقة لوزارة المالة ووزارة البترول وبنك الاستثمار القومى البالغة حوالى 85 مليار جنيه في 30/6/2016.


The Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assembly of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EGEC) was held on June. 20 ,Tuesday morning under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohamed Shaker, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy

 Add capacity for  the national grid by about 14081 megawatts, nominal capacities now, rising to 58229 megawatts or 31% growth over the expected fiscal year 2016/2017

Increase in generating capacity to 199.9 billion kw. An increase of 4.3% over the expected fiscal year 2016/2017

- Implementing investments of about LE 82.8 billion, of which about LE 34.2 billion are for emergency plan stations and Siemens   projects : administrative capital plus Al-Boroulus, and Beni Suef

- Increasing the number of subscribers to 34.9 million subscribers by 4% growth over the expected fiscal year 2016/2017

- Average cost of KWS sold about 95.3 piasters / kWh against the average selling price target of 53 piasters / kWh, covering 56% of the cost

As a result of the failure of the electricity companies to receive all the money owed to them , continued failure to cover the average selling price of the average cost of KWS and the insufficient funds included in the state budget to cover the consumption of government agencies of electricity expands to continue deficit cash suffered by electricity companies for years Will affect the payment of obligations owed to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum and National Investment Bank, which amounted to about 85 billion pounds on 30/6/2016




الجمعة، 16 يونيو 2017

The Sustainability Secret: Can changing our diet help combat climate change؟


الرئيسية



While heat waves, floods, food shortages and other disasters caused by climate change are on the rise and uncertainty is clouding global climate commitments, taking action to mitigate emissions on local, national and global scales is more pressing than ever. Join us for the 48th round of the Cairo Climate Talks to discuss one of the most influential yet least explored topics: Mass Consumption and Production and their effects on climate change

The documentary “Conspiracy: The Sustainability Secret” is a 2014 production exploring the meat and dairy mass industry. Based on estimations that meat production contributes to more greenhouse gas emissions than transportation or industry, it raises the question why those estimations have seldom been discussed in public, and how changing our diet could help combat climate change. With its upfront criticism towards some of the most prominent environmental organizations, the movie is as controversial as it is eye-opening.

The meat and dairy industry is responsible for 14.5% of global emissions accelerating climate change. The rapid growth of the meat and dairy industry paired with live-stock feed, land use, transportation and processing results in a high energy and water demand of meat and dairy products. Along the production line, the industry accounts for 10% of fossil fuel consumption and 25% of water use globally. According to recent studies local and organic farming products can generate up to 50% less emissions.

Since 60% of meat, butter and powdered milk are imported, mass production is not as common in Egypt itself. In 2016 prices of red meat have increased by 21.7% and prices of white meat have increased by 14.6%. Prices have continued to rise throughout 2017, and while the average Egyptian citizen is estimated to spend over 40% of their income on food, a discussion of the Egyptian diet is eminent also from an economic perspective.

In this special Ramadan edition of the Cairo Climate Talks, we will be hosting experts from different backgrounds including climate experts, food experts and representatives from the industry for a laid-back movie screening and light snacks, followed by a lively discussion on the ideas the movie proposes and their manifestation in the Egyptian context.


*The screening will take place in the Goethe-Institut, block 5 located in Bustan street in Downtown
Will take place on June 20th, from 8:30 pm till 11 pm at the Goethe Institute, 5 Al Bostan St, Downtown
*Arabic subtitles are available and the discussion will be conducted in Arabic






الاثنين، 12 يونيو 2017

Dubai set for world’s cheapest night-time solar power

Dubai set for world’s cheapest night-time solar power
Solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power plant in Ouarzazate, Morocco


World Environment Day featured record-low solar bids submitted for Dubai’s upcoming project that will allow the sun to power thousands of homes at night.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) announced yesterday the prices from four consortiums for the 200-megawatt fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park.
The lowest bid for the concentrated solar power (CSP) project came in at 9.45 US cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), nearly 40 per cent below the previous world-record low price for electricity generated from this technology. The three other bids ranged from 10.58 cents to 17.35 cents per kWh.
"The UAE’s focus on renew­able energy generation has led to a drop in prices worldwide and has lowered the price of solar and wind power bids in Eur­ope and the Middle East," said Saeed Al Tayer, the managing director and chief executive of Dewa.
The utility will now review the bid submissions to determine the project winner, a process that usually takes a month.
Consortiums include Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power and China’s Shanghai Electric, followed by the Abu Dhabi clean energy company Masdar with partners EDF of France and Abengoa of Spain.
Masdar and EDF confirmed their participation, but said in a joint statement that this was an "active bid, with the technical and commercial proposals under evaluation by Dewa".
Power China, Engie of France and Solar Reserve of the US also submitted bids as well as the Chinese firm Suncan with Al Fanar of Saudi Arabia.
Florence Fontani, Engie regional executive vice president of strategy, said that the company would continue to bid for UAE projects for both gas and solar tenders. "Our low carbon strategy remains well-aligned with the capacity-adding plans in the UAE, so our group will continue to position for upcoming projects," she said
The latest phase was announced last summer as the utility looks to not only diversify its energy mix to include more renewable sources, but also to use different technologies.
The 800MW third phase – utilising solar photovoltaic (PV) technology – was won by Abu Dhabi’s Masdar at a bid price of 2.99 cents per kWh. CSP remains a more expensive choice than PV, but it has its own advantage in the form of energy storage. This will mark the first time that Dubai will use a solar thermal technology that includes up to 15 hours of storage – which means solar power can be pumped into the grid even with little to no sun shining.
Paddy Padmanathan, chief executive of Acwa Power, said it was exciting to see CSP technology with storage "offering dispatchable solar energy – day and night, competing with fossil fuel-based alternatives".
The fourth phase is the first of a planned total of 1,000MW using CSP tower technology, which has mirrors beaming light to a tower that creates steam to generate electricity.
The solar park will have a total capacity of 5GW by 2030, in line with Dubai’s clean energy strategy of generating 75 per cent of electricity from clean energy by 2050.
Currently the solar park is generating 213MW of PV power, with another 800MW under construction.

الأربعاء، 7 يونيو 2017

Exclusively : Interview , Scatec solar Activities in Egypt


Raymond Carlsen

Mr. Raymond Carlsen CEO of Scatec Solar said in an exclusive interview that he expects financial close by the end of October for the six solar power plants to be built in Ben Ban near Aswan in Upper Egypt.     Scatec Solar and its partners signed 25-year Power Purchasing Agreements in April to build a total of 400 Megawatts. This is part of the Government’s 2 GW FiT solar energy program, which Mr.Carlsen described as impressive and ambitous. The projects will attract much needed foreign investment in the Renewable Energy and other sectors, he said.

Egypt is blessed with abundant sunshine and solar energy can be harnessed to meet several challenges – providing much needed electricity to promote economic growth, address the issues of energy shortages, climate change and pollution. The 870 GWh of clean electricity generated by the six solar plants will avoid 350,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The solar energy projects will also generate jobs, create and strengthen local supply chains. The fact that Scatec Solar will develop, build, own together with partners, as well as operate and maintain the six plants on 25 year PPAs is symbolic of the company’s long term commitment to Egypt, he said.

Scatec Solar has been very successful in South Africa, building the African continent’s first utility scale solar plant in Kalkbult in 2013. Currently three utility scale plants are operating in South Africa and several more are in the process.  Scatec Solar has a strong sustainability footprint, with a commitment to local value creation and implementing community development programs. Mr.Carlsen plans to replicate the company’s South  African success story in Egypt.

Total investment for the six Ben Ban projects is estimated at USD 450 million. With the arbitration issue resolved, DFIs are also now supporting the solar energy projects. Norfund, Norway’s DFI will be an equity partner with Scatec Solar. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is leading a consortium of banks to provide debt of about USD 350 million. Scatec Solar is considering the possibility of raising a portion of the funding in local currency from local Egyptian banks.





الجمعة، 2 يونيو 2017

MOVING FORWARD IN EGYPT









Egypt’s solar energy programme is an important milestone for the nation, the region, for us and our partners.

This is Egypt’s major step into a renewable energy future and the authorities showed determination to overcome many hurdles along the way.
Launching a new programme is not an event, but a process; and all processes take time. It is important to get it right for the nation as well as for the Independent Power Producers. For a stable, endurable programme, it has to be win-win for both. Egypt’s solar energy program brings a bouquet of advantages to the country.

The first and most obvious is the generation of large-scale clean energy that address the triple challenges of electricity deficits, pollution and climate change. It symbolizes Egypt’s ongoing economic reforms and will also attract foreign investment, not only in the renewable energy sector, but in other sectors as well. 

This is an important milestone for Scatec Solar because it demonstrates our ability to realize large scale projects in new and emerging markets, our strong local development and international finance partners and our sustainability footprint.
The task in the near future is to complete financial closure and then to execute our six projects in the most optimal way so that delays are minimized and efficiencies maximized.

Our commitment to timely implementation of the projects does not end with the commissioning of these state of the art plants.
We will be generating electricity for the next 25 years, which underlines our long-term engagement in the countries we operate in.

Raymond Carlsen
CEO, Scatec Solar