Africa

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Optimal Energy to Introduce Pilot Fleets of Joule EV by 2010, Mass Production by 2012

April 04, 2009

Optimal Energy’s Joule. Click to enlarge.

Optimal Energy, the Cape Town, South Africa-based company that unveiled the Joule full battery-electric multi-purpose urban passenger vehicle to the world at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 (earlier post), plans to have pilot fleets on the road in South Africa and globally from 2010 onwards, with mass production to start in South Africa from 2012.

This announcement comes following a further share issue to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), as well as Innovation Fund, the technology investment division of the Department of Science and Technology, for a fourth round capital investment. Optimal Energy intends raising further private capital towards the end of 2009.

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Eni to Invest US$3B in Republic of Congo; Focus on Tar Sands and Palm Biodiesel

May 20, 2008

Italy-based oil and gas major Eni will invest US$3 billion in the Republic of Congo over the next four years, generating an expected equity production of 150 million barrels of oil equivalent from tar sands and biodiesel production.

Eni reached an agreement with the government for the exploration and exploitation of non-conventional oil in tar sands in Tchikatanga and Tchikatanga-Makola, two areas covering a total of 1,790 square km. According to preliminary studies undertaken on a 100 square km area, recoverable reserves are estimated at between 2.5 billion barrels unrisked and 500 million barrels risked.

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