Hi, I am Caroline Doyle, an associate editor at Horizon Engage. This week, we’ve got a group of clean-up acts:
- South Korea unveils a hydrogen-powered apartment complex
- Turkey receives much-needed positive feedback on its economic reforms
- Cote d’Ivoire’s PM cracks downs on public “disorder”
The quote of the week comes from our very own Clementine Wallop, who was a guest on The Energy Time Podcast to discuss oil and gas in Nigeria. Read more below!
Hydrogen Housing in South Korea
Ulsan, South Korea, launched the world’s first hydrogen-powered apartment complex. The hydrogen is supplied from nearby petrochemical plants as a byproduct and then goes to the on-site heat and power plant.
This is a huge step in promoting clean energy and achieving carbon-neutral housing. Residents enjoy added perks, such as lower energy costs. We anticipate some legislative changes, as current laws give KEPCO a monopoly over the electricity supply.
Turkey’s Finance Minister Gets a Win
The Financial Times recently praised Turkey’s shift toward more orthodox economic strategies following President Erdogan’s appointment of Mehmet Simsek as finance minister. The article was especially positive for Erdogan, who wants to escape the effects of his previous failed economic policies.
Most domestic investors, even those who normally oppose him, are now on board. The president is also eager to put Turkey’s listing on (and later removal from) the FATF’s gray list far behind him.
Crackdown in Cote d’Ivoire
This week, Ivoirian Prime Minister Robert Beugre Mambe launched “Operation Fight Against Public Disorder” in Abidjan. The initiative includes a new police brigade to target “disorder” like begging and squatting. Similar efforts earlier this year involved forced evictions from slums with little notice, frustrating residents.
While this may improve living and operational conditions in Abidjan, there is a high risk of public backlash. — especially if the supposed benefits of the crackdown don’t materialize.
Quote of the Week
Clem was a guest on The Energy Time Podcast. She spoke about the confusion (and drama) between the NNPC and the Dangote refinery.
“The big missing piece in this puzzle is the NNPC contribution to the Dangote refinery. Industry had planned for the NNPC to be contributing 300,000bpd. It would be good to hear some very clear, very crystallized information from NNPC about exactly what it is and is not supplying to the refinery.”
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