Energy
Govt Turns To Coal To Raise Electricity Supply
… National Framework On Coal To Power Underway
ABUJA – Faced with the many challenges of thermal power stations, the Federal Government has started major moves aimed at exploring the nation’s neglected coal reserves.
Proven coal reserves in the country, according to statistics from the Ministry of Power, amount to about 639 million tons, while inferred reserves are in the region of 2.75 billion tons.
The Ministry of Power said it is targeting the generation of at least 4000 mega watts of electricity from coal in the nearest future.
To commence the process, a committee was inaugurated yesterday to identify the impediments to coal powered electricity generation and develop strategies for investment in coal power generation. The committee is also to develop a national framework for coal to power.
Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, emphasized the urgent need to diversify the fuel for power generation in Nigeria in line with global practice. He said his ministry was working with the Ministry of Mines and Steel to explore the nation’s coal for power generation. Coal, he emphasized, provides an efficient source of fuel for base-load power plants.
“Nigeria is blessed with abundant deposits of coal spread in 13 states of the federation. Significant commercial quantities are evident in the belt spanning Enugu, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Gombe,” he said.
He stressed how undeveloped virgin coal assets require detailed exploration work and development of infrastructure, noting that other coal files were currently being mined on skeletal basis.
Nebo recalled that Nigeria’s generation mix currently consists of 70 per cent thermal plants and 30 per cent hydropower.
In an assessment of world average generation mix, he rated coal 41 per cent, gas 21 per cent, hydro 16 per cent, nuclear 13 per cent and oil five per cent, noting that Nigeria needs to key into the global trends.
According to him, “when you look at the contribution of coal to power in some countries, you will realise that South Africa has 93 per cent, China 79 per cent, Poland 87 per cent, Australia 54 per cent, and USA 45 per cent.
He said the committee would “review the status and adequacy of available studies and project documents relating to the establishment of coal fired power plants; examine the impediments and challenges to the development of coal fired power plants in the country and make recommendations towards facilitating investment in coal to power generation.”
Nebo added: “The members of the committee will also liaise with other stakeholder agencies to review current initiatives of private investors on coal to power and advise on areas of possible support and collaboration with the ministry, and also make other recommendations towards facilitating the utilisation of coal for power generation.”
The Director of Power at the Ministry, Mr. Sanusi Garuba will head the committee. – THE GUARDIAN
The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has completed the turnaround maintenance on the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, leading to resumption of production at Nigeria’s premier deepwater field on March 6, 2026.
Biztellers reports that the project was delivered 11 days ahead of schedule and without any safety incident, reinforcing SNEPCo’s longstanding commitment to operational excellence and asset integrity.
“Completing the turnaround safely and ahead of schedule is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our Nigerian workforce and the helpful support of our partners,” SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams said. “The achievement not only secures the long‑term integrity of the Bonga FPSO but also positions us strongly for the successful delivery of the Bonga North project, which will leverage the improved reliability of the FPSO.”
The exercise which began on February 1, 2026, highlights SNEPCo’s leading role in advancing deep‑water expertise in Nigeria. Of the 55 companies involved in the execution, 43 were wholly Nigerian. Additionally, eight of the 12 international service providers maintain operational bases in Nigeria, contributing to knowledge transfer and increased local investments.
More than 1,000 personnel worked offshore during the turnaround, with over 95% being Nigerians involved in maintenance, engineering, operations, inspection and construction. Thousands more supported activities from onshore locations, reflecting the depth of Nigerian capability in offshore oil and gas operations.
Adams added: “We acknowledge the support of several stakeholders towards the successful execution of the exercise, including the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and our partners.”
Modupe Asudo
Sahara Group, a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has commissioned MT Asharami Ghana, a 40,000‑cubic‑metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, expanding its fleet capacity, while strengthening Ghana’s clean energy supply chain and LPG distribution network.
The dual‑fuel vessel improves operational efficiency, enhances supply reliability, and supports lower‑emission LPG logistics as consumption grows across Ghana and the wider sub‑region.
Ghanaian President Mahama and Sahara Executive Directors
Speaking at the commissioning in Ulsan, South Korea, President John Dramani Mahama described the vessel as “a significant milestone in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins the global LPG supply chain,” noting that expanded shipping capacity is critical to improving supply security, reliability and efficiency for countries that rely partly on LPG imports.
He commended Sahara Group, WAGL Energy and all partners involved for their “leadership, technical expertise and strategic foresight,” adding that the project reflects “the power of partnership” in advancing safe, efficient, and responsible energy distribution.
President Mahama wished the MT Asharami Ghana safe sails, expressing confidence that the vessel would inspire further investment and collaboration across Africa’s energy value chain.
According to Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group, the vessel supports Ghana’s clean energy ambitions through integrated infrastructure.
“MT Asharami Ghana is more than a vessel; it is part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen LPG supply security and support Ghana’s clean energy ambitions. It secures an additional 25,000-Metric-tonne stock security for the Ghana economy, alongside the soon to be commissioned 6000-metric-tonee of 12.000-metric-tonne land storage in Tema,” he said.
With the addition of Asharami Ghana, Sahara Group’s LPG carrier fleet now comprises six delivered vessels with a combined capacity of 202,000 cubic metres. Supported by partnerships with WAGL Energy, NNPC Limited and other stakeholders, an additional 270,000 cubic metres of capacity is under construction and due for delivery by September 2028.
Temitope Shonubi, Executive Director, Sahara Group, said Asharami Ghana is part of Sahara’s integrated LPG infrastructure strategy spanning shipping, storage, and downstream distribution globally, including the development of a 12,000‑metric‑tonne land‑based LPG storage terminal in Tema, with a 6,000‑metric‑tonne first phase scheduled for completion in May 2026.
He thanked Yaa Serwaa Alifo, MD of Asharami Ghana, for her resilience and insistence to dedicate a ship of “this magnitude solely to the Ghana Market and its landlocked neighbours.”
Ghana is targeting LPG adoption of 50 per cent of households by 2030, up from about 30 per cent today. Sahara’s investments will support clean energy access for more than 35 million people, while strengthening Ghana’s role in regional LPG trade to neighbouring and landlocked West African markets.
The commissioning comes in Sahara Group’s 30th anniversary year, guided by the Sahara Beyond XXX milestone, underscoring Sahara’s focus on building an enduring enterprise that delivers responsible growth, shared prosperity and long‑term impact across its markets.
Nigeria’s crude oil production dropped to 1.31 million barrels per day in February, even as local refineries continue to grapple with inadequate domestic crude supply needed to sustain operations.
The development shows that Nigeria again failed to meet its crude oil production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day approved by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), as output declined sharply in February 2026.
Data from OPEC’s latest Monthly Oil Market Report, based on direct communication from member countries, showed that Nigeria produced 1.314 million barrels per day in February, down from 1.459 mbpd recorded in January.
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The figures indicate a month-on-month decline of 146,000 barrels per day, widening the country’s shortfall from its OPEC production allocation.
Nigeria’s inability to meet its OPEC production quota is not only affecting its oil export earnings but also adversely impacting domestic refineries that are starved of feedstock for their operations.
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