Energy
Nigeria to achieve Carbon- Neutrality by 2025
By Joseph BAMIDELE
LONDON: Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has appealed to the Global Community and the developed World to invest in the development of the burgeoning African energy economy so as to ensure a win-win scenario for the continent and the rest of the globe.
Speaking at a Special lecture titled: The Future of African Energy in a Changing World, delivered at St. Anthony’s College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, over the weekend, the Minister stated that unlike in the past when Africa was a ready example of a pitiable basket case, the continent has emerged a potent destination for investments in oil and gas.
Celebrating the rising profile of African energy in the global energy matrix, Mrs. Alison-Madueke stated that the recent flurry of offshore and onshore oil and gas discoveries across the continent has placed Africa on the front burner of the global energy map.
The Petroleum Minister argued that while it may make economic and geo-strategic sense for a nation to meet its energy needs from domestic sources instead of imports, it may not make so much sense from the perspective of the broad-based global development necessary to ensure the global stability.
“We believe that global stability comes from the balancing of regional interests.
To achieve optimal development for the African energy sector, the support and partnership of the industrialized world is critical. This would not only be in the interest of Africa, but also in the enlightened self-interest of the global community as a whole. We see a win-win outcome when industrialized nations source their energy needs from African nations.’’
She added that this would enable the wealthy nations satisfy their energy needs while at the same time generating for Africa, the vital export revenue that will make the continent less dependent on foreign developmental aid.
“ Investing in Africa’s growth opportunities is undeniably a much better model for providing long-term solutions to Africa’s developmental challenges than the grant of charitable aid,’’ She said.
Establishing a strong correlation between Africa’s development and drive to attaining global security, the Minister noted that the economic stability of Africa is a key factor in global security.
She argued that when Africa is ravaged by socio-economic instability, the rest of the world is less safe stating that no nation of the world, no matter how far away from Africa, is genuinely at peace with itself because the reality of our globalized world is that no nation is too far way to be impacted by upheavals in other regions of the world.
The Minister emphasized that the more Africa’s economy develops and African States earn export revenue that will lift their people from poverty, disease, illiteracy and other socio-economic depredations that have held Africa back, the less likely that Africa will provide the breeding ground for terrorism and other forms of violent civil unrest.
The Minister listed the investment opportunities on offer in the continent to include: upstream drilling and related services, pipeline engineering and construction, engineering and construction of oil and gas processing facilities,logistics and related support services, technical training and general human resources development, gas utilization for value added purposes such as fertilizer, power generation, petrochemicals to mention but a few.
“The world must have learned by now that Africa’s issues cannot be treated as side issues but must be placed front and centre in dialogue about the future of our planet. African energy has a role to play in the global energy market, but it can only play that role if the global community empowers it to play it,’’ she said.
On the threat posed to the Africa Energy market with the embrace of shale oil and gas by the US and China, Mrs. Alison-Madueke described the threat as potent and called on the Continent to rise up to the challenge.
Commenting on gas flaring and environmental pollution, the Minister stated that the country has begun the implementation of mitigation strategies that will over time compensate for years of carbon emissions adding that Nigeria aspires to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025 at the latest.
This aspiration is already being realized with gas flares now at a significantly reduced level relative to previous levels. By 2010 it was down to 30 percent and now it’s down to 11 percent and would be down to two percent by 2020 and beyond, ’’ she enthused.
The Lagos based, 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) might be struggling for real acceptance in Nigeria’s domestic market, but the international markets appear to have embraced it with both hands.
As at Wednesday, November 6, 2024, three global oil dealers account for as much as 75 percent of refined products being lifted from the DPRP.
In a development touted as reshaping petroleum trading between Africa and Europe, Vitol Group, Trafigura Group, and BP Plc were listed by Bloomberg as the dominant buyers of fuels from the DPRP.
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Going by the data, it can be seen that the three global dealers accounted for the bulk of the plant’s shipments since flows began ratcheting up around the middle of 2024.
The report was backed by data from Precise Intelligence, a new oil-and-gas trading analytics firm based in Geneva.
The data showed refined products offtake from February 27 to October 10 with other customers, and indicated that the Nigerian market took 25 percent of total fuel purchases from the DPRP in the period under review.
Recall that the DPRP on starting operations, kick-started the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) (petrol).
The management of the DPRP has been consistent in expressing confidence that as soon as it becomes fully operational, it would peak at processing up to 650,000 barrels a day of crude into products including gasoline and diesel.
The implication is that at its peak, the DPRP would be the biggest single plant in Europe or Africa, conferring on it the capacity to reshape the regions’ oil and fuel trading.
Oil industry pundits note that the coming on stream of the DPRP has already trimmed a glut of Nigerian crude.
Analysis of the report showed that the refinery has loaded almost 6 million tons of fuel since starting up.
This is equivalent to almost 45 million barrels, loading rates averaged about 35,000 tonnes a day in October, its data showed.
The DPRP itself said late last month that the refinery had reached processing rates of about 420,000 barrels a day of crude.
Stakeholders are paying close attention, which sees the composition of fuel cargoes loading from the DPRP closely watched because it offers clues into where the refinery is at in terms of starting up different processing units.
On the products sold, the figures show that automotive gas oil — commonly known as diesel — is the largest cargo type being lifted, accounting for the highest proportion of shipments. This is followed by fuel oil, which ranks second in terms of volume.
Together, these two products make up more than 60 percent of the total output being collected from the plant.
Other significant fuel types being processed include gasoline, which is used for cars and other light vehicles, and jet fuel, primarily utilised by the aviation industry for aircraft.
In the wake of a prolonged power crisis impacting Northern Nigeria, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu visited the Zawaciki 1MWp mini-grid project in Kano, underscoring the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to alleviate regional power shortages.
The project, operated by Bagaja Renewables, provides daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, offering a vital source of power as the region faces widespread blackouts.
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Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables, welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the critical timing of the visit.
“Bagaja Renewables had the distinct honor of welcoming the Honorable Minister of Power to the Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid,” Zakari said.
“This visit comes at a critical time, as Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged blackout, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.
The Zawaciki mini-grid has been instrumental during this crisis, providing at least 9 hours of daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in addressing the region’s energy needs.”
Minister Adelabu praised the Zawaciki project as a model for interconnected mini-grids nationwide, noting its role as a sustainable solution for communities grappling with unreliable power supply.
“The Honorable Minister expressed admiration for the Zawaciki project, recognizing it as a viable proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria,” Zakari stated.
“He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and called on state governors and other key stakeholders to support efforts to decentralize and strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.
By backing projects like Zawaciki, stakeholders can play an instrumental role in reducing reliance on the national grid and ensuring a more stable power supply for local communities.”
Zakari underscored the transformative potential of private-sector renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s power landscape.
He said, “As we have witnessed here at Zawaciki, private-sector-driven renewable energy solutions can transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the right policies and support, we can empower communities and enhance energy resilience, even in times of national power instability.”
In addition to the Zawaciki project, Bagaja Renewables is developing several renewable energy initiatives across Northern Nigeria. Among these are:
Barhim Estate, Katsina: A residential power initiative aimed at expanding energy access for households in the region.
Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster, Kano: Focused on delivering clean and reliable power to commercial areas, this project aims to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth.
Kafin Hausa, Jigawa: With site fencing completed, Bagaja Renewables is preparing to begin technical design and engineering work for a mini-grid in Kafin Hausa, slated to start construction soon.
Zakari said, “These projects represent Bagaja Renewables’ unwavering commitment to building a resilient, decentralized, and renewable-powered energy future across Northern Nigeria.
“Bagaja Renewables is dedicated to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to scale up renewable energy solutions that will support communities, industries, and essential services.
“We believe that decentralized power generation is the future for Nigeria, and we are eager to contribute to a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy system for all.” he added
Power has been restored across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States, bringing relief to residents who endured a 10-day blackout.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that electricity was reinstated around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting celebrations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and other affected areas.
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The prolonged outage was caused by the tripping of a major 330kV transmission line between Benue and Enugu states, leaving several northern states without power.
The blackout severely impacted daily life and economic activities, with residents expressing frustration over the disruption to businesses, healthcare services, and personal livelihoods.
In response, President Bola Tinubu took swift action, summoning Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis.
Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Monday that President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power and relevant agencies to expedite restoration efforts.
“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the reports of vandalism and deliberate destruction of essential power infrastructure,” Onanuga said in a statement.
“The President has tasked TCN engineers with bringing immediate relief to the affected states and implementing a long-term solution to prevent future outages.”
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