Latest news with #JohanHelberg
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Africa's mining sector needs reliable power: Aggreko
Africa's mining sector requires power reliability as a matter of survival, making it critical for companies to invest in solutions that deliver longevity and reliability, says Johan Helberg, Head of Sales for Africa at Aggreko, a provider of energy solutions. According to the International Monetary Fund, global demand for critical minerals is set to increase significantly. For nickel, demand will double between 2022 and 2050, cobalt will triple, and lithium will increase tenfold says the International Energy Agency – and sub-Saharan Africa has an estimated 30% of these minerals in reserves. The region has immense potential, but realising the potential requires reliable energy solutions, particularly as mining operations across the continent continue to grapple with unstable power grids, rising energy costs, and increased pressure to meet sustainability goals, according Helberg. As the Boston Consulting Group pointed out in its 2024 Africa Mining Outlook analysis, mining is not an easy business but its complexity is compounded by energy instability, demand for cleaner energy supplies, and costs. The impact of unreliable energy on the mining sector is extensive. Energy supply shortages have a direct impact on a mining organisation's bottom line as companies have to invest in alternative solutions and failovers that can cost upwards of 30% of their total cash operating costs. The industry is reliant on continuous operations to remain profitable which makes reliable power crucial to remaining operational and financially stable. A study undertaken by Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, for example, found that loadshedding has a long-term negative impact on mining equity returns and impacts on stock viability for international investors. The cost of energy unreliability makes a compelling case for hybrid energy solutions designed to not just mitigate the risks but to provide mining organisations with the tools they need to build resilient power infrastructure. These hybrid systems combine traditional power sources with renewable energy and battery storage to create robust energy platforms that ensure mines can maintain operations even when the grid fails. By blending multiple energy sources, they offer immediate fail-over energy provision within a single, intelligent system that prioritises both reliability and efficiency. Hybrid also allows companies to distance themselves from the complexities that continue to plague power management, generation and infrastructure on the continent. Regulatory and policy uncertainty is affecting approvals and generating uncertainty when it comes to establishing independent power solutions, and there remain financial and infrastructural challenges that inhibit investment and growth, claims Helberg. The effectiveness of hybrid systems lies in three key pillars. The first is that hybrid systems offer mining organisations redundancy through multiple power sources. When one fails, others can compensate which ensures continuous operations and reduced risks and costs. This is particularly useful in remote mining locations where grid connections are weak or non-existent. The second is that these systems incorporate battery storage technology which acts as a buffer against power fluctuations while providing immediate access to power on demand. Battery storage systems have the added benefit of improving overall plant efficiencies while reducing fuel consumption and maintaining power quality. This technology can help mining operations prioritise stable power supply during peak demand periods or when renewable sources are temporarily unavailable. Finally, hybrid brings a new level of scalability and flexibility to operations. These are critical when considering how rapidly a mine's power needs can change thanks to both internal and external factors. Modern hybrid systems offer mines the ability to adjust and scale energy provision and structure according to demand and to create a power infrastructure that fits their operations as they evolve. However, implementing an effective hybrid solution needs to be strategic and well engineered, finding the optimal balance between sustainability, cost and reliability. This balance is particularly important within the African context where operational challenges can be more pronounced due to infrastructure limitations and operating in rural locations. Success means customising each hybrid solution to meet the unique power requirements, environmental conditions and operational constraints of each mining operation, and to partner with an energy provider that understands these constraints and knows how to develop relevant, tailored solutions, states Helberg. The financial aspect of hybrid systems is also important. While the initial investment appears to be costly, the long-term benefits across operational stability, reduced downtime and reliable output can outweigh these. There are financing solutions that have evolved to support the sector in its move towards sustainable and reliable energy as well. The Build Own Operate Maintain (BOOM) model, for example, is a modern financing option that allows for the mining company to access reliable power without substantial upfront capital expenditure. Aggreko's hybrid solutions seamlessly integrate cutting-edge solar power and battery technology with traditional fuels like diesel, offering a blend of low emissions and high reliability. These systems are designed to prioritise solar power, maximising efficiency and minimising environmental impact. During periods of high sunlight, batteries store solar energy to be used throughout the day, while generators automatically step in only when solar power is insufficient to prevent disruptions. Aggreko's advanced diesel and gas generators are engineered to minimise pollutants, ensuring that emissions remain as low as possible when in use. An intelligent energy management control system oversees the entire process, guaranteeing uninterrupted energy supply while reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions. Looking ahead, the adoption of hybrid energy systems in African mining operations will become increasingly attractive to companies as the technology continues to evolve and costs come down. These hybrid solutions offer a practical solution to the ongoing power reliability challenge and enable mining companies to maintain continuous operations and build the resilience they need to thrive. The key to success lies in choosing the right energy partner who has deep industry expertise and a proven track record in implementing hybrid solutions in challenging environments, concludes Helberg. -OGN / TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2025 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Sunday World
31-05-2025
- General
- Sunday World
Probe reveals why massive cargo ship ran aground in Norway, narrowly missing man's house
In an incident that made headlines around the world, the 135-metre cargo vessel, the NCL Salten, ran shore just before 5am on Thursday The view from the window of Helberg's house of the ship in his garden Johan Helberg spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky An investigation has revealed the reason why a massive container ship ran aground in Norway, narrowly missing one man's house. In an incident that made headlines around the world, the 135-metre cargo vessel, the NCL Salten beached just before 5am on Thursday after entering the Trondheim fjord on its way to the western town of Orkanger. Local man, Johan Helberg, spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky. 'I went to the window and was quite astonished to see a big ship,' Helberg told the Guardian. 'I had to bend my neck to see the top of it. It was so unreal.' The view from the window of Helberg's house of the ship in his garden The ship's second officer, who has admitted to having fallen asleep just before the incident, has been charged with negligence in connection with the incident. However, he has since claimed that the bridge alarms had been switched off before the ship grounded. This has been confirmed by Norwegian authorities who launched an investigation to determine the events that led up to the incident. They have established that the navigation watch alarm system (BNWAS) on the ship was already switched off by the time it came ashore. A local newspaper, NRK, has reported that an official with the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) said the grounding could have been avoided if the BNWAS had been switched on. The ship remained stuck aground on Thursday after the first attempt to remove it was unsuccessful but it has since been refloated and towed to Orkanger. Local authorities have determined that none of the local houses were damaged and that no injuries or oil spills occurred as a result of the mishap. An astonished neighbour recalled watching the ship, which was travelling at about 16 knots (approximately 30kmh), heading straight for the shore into Helberg's garden, narrowly missing his house. Helberg, who lives in Byneset, near Trondheim, slept through the entire drama and only awoke when his neighbour rang his doorbell. Johan Helberg spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky News in 90 Seconds - May 31st 'Normally ships turn left or right into the fjord. But this went straight ahead,' Helberg, who has lived in the house for 25 years, added. 'It was very close to the house.' North Sea Container Line, the operator of NCL Salten, has confirmed that it is cooperating in the investigation into the mishap. NCL's chief executive, Bente Hetland, said there was 'no reason to believe this was intentional'. 'Incidents like this should not happen, and we have started an investigation into the causes. Today, we are relieved that there were no injuries, and our main focus is on the people near the ship and our crew,' she added.
The Australian
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Australian
Ship pulled free after running aground near Norway home
Salvagers on Tuesday pulled a cargo ship, which made world headlines for running aground a stone's throw from a house in Norway, back into the water, the head of the company managing the operation said. A Ukrainian sailor in his 30s was on watch at the time and said he had fallen asleep, according to Norwegian police, who have charged him with "negligent navigation". The NCL Salten sailed up onto shore just metres from a wooden house around dawn on Thursday. "It's good to have said hello, but now it's time to say goodbye" the occupant of the house, Johan Helberg, told broadcaster NRK on Tuesday. The containers on the ship, except for those removed to lighten the bow, are still on board and will be unloaded this evening, Ole T. Bjornevik, the managing director of BOA Offshore told AFP, adding that the operation only lasted 30 minutes. "She has just been refloated," and an inspection is underway, he added. The Ukrainian seaman has said none of the cargo ship's collision alarms had worked, prosecutor Kjetil Bruland Sorensen told news agency NTB. The investigation will also look into whether the rules on working hours and rest periods were adhered to on ship, according to police. Helberg, also slept through the incident and only discovered the unexpected visitor when a panicked neighbour called him on the phone. None of the 16 crew members were injured. nzg/jll/jm
Daily Tribune
28-05-2025
- Daily Tribune
Ship pulled free after running aground near Norway home
AFP | Oslo Salvagers yesterday pulled a cargo ship, which made world headlines for running aground a stone's throw from a house in Norway, back into the water, the head of the company managing the operation said. A Ukrainian sailor in his 30s was on watch at the time and said he had fallen asleep, according to Norwegian police, who have charged him with 'negligent navigation'. The NCL Salten sailed up onto shore just metres from a wooden house around dawn on Thursday. 'It's good to have said hello, but now it's time to say goodbye' the occupant of the house, Johan Helberg, told broadcaster NRK on Tuesday. The containers on the ship, except for those removed to lighten the bow, are still on board and will be unloaded this evening, Ole T. Bjornevik, the managing director of BOA Offshore told AFP, adding that the operation only lasted 30 minutes. 'She has just been refloated,' and an inspection is underway, he added. The Ukrainian seaman has said none of the cargo ship's collision alarms had worked, prosecutor Kjetil Bruland Sorensen told news agency NTB. The investigation will also look into whether the rules on working hours and rest periods were adhered to on ship, according to police. Helberg, also slept through the incident and only discovered the unexpected visitor when a panicked neighbour called him on the phone. None of the 16 crew members were injured.
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Cargo ship towed away from Norway home it nearly struck
A cargo ship that ran aground in a Norwegian fiord and narrowly missed a house was pulled back into open water and was being towed to a nearby harbour on Tuesday — five days after the spectacular accident. A tugboat hauled and refloated the NCL Salten off the shore of the Trondheim Fiord on Tuesday morning. The ship was pulled away from the spot where it ran aground in Byneset at about 10:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, according to a statement that NCL, the shipping company, posted online. The vessel was being taken to the nearby harbour of Orkanger. Norwegian broadcaster NRK quoted Ole T. Bjørnevik, the general manager of the tugboat company tasked with the refloating operation, as saying that it "went better than expected." A memorable event For Johan Helberg, the man whose home was nearly hit by the cargo ship, the past few days were something to behold — and to remember. "I doubt I'll ever experience anything quite like this again," he told Norway's TV2. "I wouldn't have traded this experience for anything." WATCH | The NCL Salten returns to sea: See the refloating of a cargo ship that ran aground in Norway 7 hours ago Duration 0:39 A container ship that ran around in Norwegian homeowner Johan Helberg's yard last week has been refloated. 'I doubt I'll ever experience anything quite like this again.' Containers had been unloaded from the ship ahead of the refloating. The ship ran aground early last Thursday. No oil spills were reported, and none of the 16 people aboard was injured. The on-duty navigator, the ship's second officer, has been charged with negligent navigation after he allegedly fell asleep on duty.
