Latest news with #JérômeBertheau
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025: Experts Call for Hybrid Energy Solutions to Power Africa's Future
At the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris, industry leaders emphasized the urgent need for Africa to adopt a diversified and flexible energy mix – combining renewables, fossil fuels and off-grid technologies – to meet the continent's rising electricity demand and avoid deepening power crises. During the panel, titled Revolutionizing Power Generation in Africa: The Role of Energy Mix and Innovation, panelists stated that Africa's path to universal electrification hinges on embracing a hybridized, context-specific approach that can deliver both stability and sustainability. 'Energy in Africa needs to be thought of in a long-term view. Renewables are cheap, but they are intermittent and not controllable. It is compatible for fossil fuels to be the baseload [to offset] the intermittency of renewables,' said Jérôme Bertheau, Chief Technology Officer at BW Energy. Bertheau pointed to the company's gas-to-power project in Namibia as a model of scalable, market-aligned development. 'We have a project in Namibia where we will produce and transport gas from the Kudu field. The project is phased, so we are developing alongside the growth of Namibia. The first step is a 200 MW viable baseload, but we can increase it as the market grows,' he said. He added that the project is progressing rapidly toward FID: 'We have submitted our field development plan and finished our conceptual studies, and are entering a phase of appraising the reservoir more. We believe there is potentially more gas and oil. We are drilling the first well this year, and the second one next year.' The discussion centered on how to bridge the gap between ambition and practical implementation, particularly in under-electrified regions where national grids are weak and investor confidence hinges on returns and reliability. Panelists stressed that successful models already exist, and that Africa's energy transition must be guided by both technological and commercial innovation. 'The first step on the ladder is hybridization – we need to introduce more renewables. That is how we offset costs and get more sustainable,' said Christoffer Ek, Director of Decarbonization Services at Wärtsilä Energy, emphasizing that 'Hybridization is key to communities in Africa when it comes to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.' With the continent's electricity consumption per capita hovering around 500 kWh per year – a fraction of global averages, according to Silvia Macri, Associate Director at S&P Global Commodity Insights – the stakes are high. Over-reliance on a single energy source is a major contributor to Africa's frequent power outages and unreliable supply. 'We are seeing a lot of power mixes relying on fossil fuels too heavily, or on one source of power, which is a major risk factor. We have consistent power outages and crises in a lot of markets,' she said, adding, 'The power gap is not solved by adding capacity alone.' Macri pointed to Kenya as a regional success story, where strategic investment in geothermal energy has led to a significant increase in electricity access. 'Kenya doubled its electricity access in less than a decade,' said Macri, highlighting that Africa's broad access to both renewable and fossil resources gives it a unique advantage if the right mix can be struck. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Zawya
27-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
BW Energy Joins Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Amid Record Dussafu Output, Namibia Exploration Progress
Jérôme Bertheau, Executive Vice President – Global Projects at BW Energy, will speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum, set to take place May 13-14 in Paris. Bertheau's participation underscores the company's commitment to advancing Africa's energy sector through innovative developments and strategic investments. BW Energy is making significant strides in Africa's energy landscape, particularly in Gabon, where the company is enhancing production at the Dussafu field through advanced recovery techniques. Last October, the company signed PSCs for the Niosi Marin and Guduma Marin offshore exploration blocks in partnership with Panoro Energy and VAALCO Energy. These agreements include drilling one well in the Niosi Marin block during the exploration phase, alongside plans for a 3D seismic acquisition campaign. BW Energy aims to complete the first phase of Hibiscus and Ruche development and bring production to a nameplate capacity of 40,000 barrels per day. IAE 2025 ( is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@ In addition to its activities in Gabon, BW Energy is making progress in Namibia with plans to drill a well on the Kharas prospect offshore, northwest of the Kudu Formation. The company has secured long-lead items and is in discussions with other operators for rig capacity, with drilling expected to begin in the second half of 2025. Furthermore, BW Energy has completed the processing of a PSDM 3D dataset over the offshore Kudu gas field and is advancing its development planning for the proposed Kudu gas-to-power project. The company is also progressing its Maromba oilfield development in Brazil, with a final investment decision expected in early 2025. Bertheau's participation at IAE 2025 highlights BW Energy's commitment to innovation and its focus on maximizing the value of its African assets while promoting local content and sustainable development. The company's involvement underscores its position as a leading energy player, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and strategic partnerships to drive growth across its portfolio. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
