popular articles

Legal action against TotalEnergies’ mega-oil project rejected

The East African courts have rejected a complaint against TotalEnergies' EACOP project, prompting mixed reactions.
Justice Africaine Refuse Action TotalEnergies

Please share:

The EACOP project, led by TotalEnergies, marks a crucial turning point in oil development in East Africa. Initiated with an investment of ten billion dollars, this project involves Tanzania, Uganda and the Chinese company CNOOC. It includes the drilling of 419 wells in Uganda and the construction of a 1,443-kilometer pipeline linking the Lake Albert oilfields to the Tanzanian coast. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has hailed this pharaonic project as an economic springboard for the region.

Environmental and social issues

However, EACOP is not without its concerns. Critics focus on environmental risks and the impact on local communities. However, environmentalists point out the threats to the region’s fragile ecosystem and the people living in the vicinity of the project. Opposition from various environmental and human rights associations highlights the dilemma between economic development and environmental preservation.

Dismissal of the legal action

The East African Court of Justice, based in Tanzania, recently dismissed a lawsuit against EACOP. However, the plaintiffs, civil society groups, were dismissed on the grounds that they had filed their complaint out of time. This decision provoked a wave of reactions, with some seeing it as a failure to take account of environmental and social concerns.

Reactions and consequences

Lucien Limacher of Natural Justice criticized the decision, interpreting it as a neglect of environmental and climate impacts. In September, several associations filed a complaint against TotalEnergies for “climaticide”, marking an escalation in the fight against projects deemed harmful to the environment.

Future prospects

Uganda’s first oil is expected in 2025, almost twenty years after the discovery of reserves. This project, according to Museveni, should bring significant economic prosperity, especially for a country where poverty remains a predominant reality. However, the tension between economic development and environmental protection remains a hot topic, raising crucial questions about the future of such projects in Africa and around the world.

The dismissal of the case against TotalEnergies’ EACOP project raises important questions about the balance between economic development and environmental preservation in East Africa.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Renewable energies accounted for 33.9% of electricity consumption in France in 2024

In 2024, renewable energies covered 33.9% of electricity consumption in metropolitan France, driven by increased hydropower output and solar capacity expansion.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has announced its strategic guidelines for 2030, focusing on the energy transition, European competitiveness and consumer needs.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has announced its strategic guidelines for 2030, focusing on the energy transition, European competitiveness and consumer needs.
Madrid paid an arbitration award to Blasket Renewable Investments after more than ten years of litigation related to the withdrawal of tax advantages for renewable energy investors.
Madrid paid an arbitration award to Blasket Renewable Investments after more than ten years of litigation related to the withdrawal of tax advantages for renewable energy investors.
The global renewable energy market continues to grow, reaching $1,200 billion in 2024, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), supported by investments in solar and wind energy.
The global renewable energy market continues to grow, reaching $1,200 billion in 2024, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), supported by investments in solar and wind energy.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cooperative secures $3.43mn to modernise electrical grid

The Québec government is granting $3.43mn to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Electric Cooperative to deploy smart meters and upgrade infrastructure across 16 municipalities.
New US tariff measures are driving up energy sector costs, with a particularly strong impact on storage and solar, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie.
New US tariff measures are driving up energy sector costs, with a particularly strong impact on storage and solar, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie.
Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.
Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.
African countries now spend more on debt service than on education and healthcare, limiting essential investments despite significant energy potential. The G20, under pressure, struggles to provide an adequate response to the financial and climate challenges.
African countries now spend more on debt service than on education and healthcare, limiting essential investments despite significant energy potential. The G20, under pressure, struggles to provide an adequate response to the financial and climate challenges.

Egypt authorises four private producers to supply 400 MW of electricity to industrial clients

Four renewable energy producers have been authorised to sell 400 MW directly to Egyptian industrial companies without public support.
A report by Ember shows ASEAN could supply nearly one-third of its data centres with wind and solar power by 2030 without storage, provided appropriate public policies are implemented.
A report by Ember shows ASEAN could supply nearly one-third of its data centres with wind and solar power by 2030 without storage, provided appropriate public policies are implemented.
Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.
Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.
Three trade trajectories projected by Wood Mackenzie show how tariff tensions could shift demand, prices and investment in the global energy sector.
Three trade trajectories projected by Wood Mackenzie show how tariff tensions could shift demand, prices and investment in the global energy sector.

The European Union moves closer to 2030 energy targets, says Brussels

The European Commission states the Union is on track to cut emissions by 54% by 2030, following updated national plans.
South Korea announces two major tenders totaling 2.25 GW, split between offshore wind and solar, introducing new economic and technical criteria designed to strengthen energy security and attract international investors.
South Korea announces two major tenders totaling 2.25 GW, split between offshore wind and solar, introducing new economic and technical criteria designed to strengthen energy security and attract international investors.
Ember anticipates that a third of ASEAN data centre electricity demand could be met by wind and solar by 2030, without batteries, if appropriate political measures are implemented.
Ember anticipates that a third of ASEAN data centre electricity demand could be met by wind and solar by 2030, without batteries, if appropriate political measures are implemented.
A Rocky Mountain Institute report reveals India’s energy ambition, with electricity demand potentially tripling by 2050, backed by an industrial policy focused on renewable energy.
A Rocky Mountain Institute report reveals India’s energy ambition, with electricity demand potentially tripling by 2050, backed by an industrial policy focused on renewable energy.

Indonesia plans 69.5 GW of new power capacity by 2034

The Indonesian government targets a mixed energy expansion involving coal, gas, renewables, and nuclear, requiring IDR2,967.4tn ($235bn) in investment by the end of 2034.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announces reforms to the energy permitting process, aiming to stimulate investments and strengthen relations between the government and industry.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announces reforms to the energy permitting process, aiming to stimulate investments and strengthen relations between the government and industry.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalising a proposal to lift emissions caps for thermal power plants, amid a broader shift toward national energy security.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalising a proposal to lift emissions caps for thermal power plants, amid a broader shift toward national energy security.
The Pakistani government is releasing 2,000 megawatts of power to support the development of data centres focused on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment.
The Pakistani government is releasing 2,000 megawatts of power to support the development of data centres focused on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment.

Belgium legalises extension of two nuclear reactors until 2045

Belgium’s federal parliament has adopted a law authorising the extension of Doel-4 and Tihange-3 reactors and allowing new nuclear construction, ending the nuclear phase-out policy established in 2003.
The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
China's gas, oil and coal volumes remain above last year’s levels, despite a decline in April compared to the record highs of March.
China's gas, oil and coal volumes remain above last year’s levels, despite a decline in April compared to the record highs of March.

Advertising