Connect with us

Energy

Nigeria’s N23bn Electricity Exports Amidst Widespread Darkness Spark Outrage

Published

on

 

Consumers of electricity expressed their discontent on Wednesday regarding the export of approximately N23.13 billion worth of electricity from Nigeria to neighboring countries in 2022.

 

This export took place despite the prevalent lack of electricity in numerous Nigerian communities.

 

According to recent data obtained from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in Abuja, Nigeria continued its export of electricity to the Republics of Benin and Niger, as well as certain special consumer categories.

 

The data revealed that the total value of electricity exported from Nigeria in 2022 amounted to $50.98 million (equivalent to N23.5 billion based on the official exchange rate of N461/$ last year).

 

However, international customers only remitted $32.69 million, which is approximately N15.1 billion.

 

According to figures obtained from the power sector regulator, it appears that during the mentioned period, international customers failed to remit a total of $18.29 million or N8.4 billion.
Additionally, the special customers also did not remit N792.6 million within the same period.
Although some officials at NERC and other agencies in the power sector provided explanations as to why Nigeria was exporting power despite its poor supply in-country, electricity consumers kicked against the move.

The National Secretary, Nigeria Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network, Uket Obonga said “A World Bank report puts the total number of Nigerians that are not connected to the national electricity grid at about 90 million, out of about 220 million Nigerians. This is about the highest in the world.

 

“China, with a population of 1.4 or 1.5 billion people, has about 68 million Chinese persons who are not connected to electricity. Now, compare that to the 90 million people in Nigeria that are not electrified.

 

“But despite that, you are now exporting such a scarce commodity that your people desperately need. What kind of economic sense is that? When you hear such things you wonder whether it is on planet Earth that it is happening. The people behind that idea, what are they thinking?”

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has provided updates on the remittances made by special/cross-border customers in the fourth quarter of 2022. According to NERC, Transcorp-SBEE and Mainstream-NIGELEC received invoices of $3.44 million and $5.5 million respectively from the Market Operator (MO). They made remittances of $0.93 million (27.04 percent) and $5.44 million (98.9 percent) respectively.

Transcorp-SBEE is the power firm in Benin Republic known as Société Beninoise d’Énergie Electrique (SBEE), while Mainstream-NIGELEC represents the power utility firm in Niger Republic called Société Nigérienne d’Electricité (NIGELEC).

Based on the data provided by NERC, the total remittance from Transcorp-SBEE and Mainstream-NIGELEC in the fourth quarter of 2022 amounted to $6.37 million, indicating that they failed to remit $2.57 million during the same period.

“However, no remittance was made to the MO by Paras-SBEE and Odukpani-CEET against invoices of $3.03m and $2.02m respectively. The non-settlement of market obligations by this category of market participants should be a call to action for MO to activate relevant safeguards for remittance shortfalls,” the NERC stated.

 

 

 

Energy

Nigeria’s First Energy Infrastructure Map for Unveiling at NOG 2026

Published

on

In what is expected to provide investors and industry stakeholders with a detailed overview of Nigeria’s energy assets and opportunities, her first comprehensive Gas and Power Infrastructure Map will be unveiled at the 25th edition of NOG Energy Week.

It was gathered that the publication, developed by the Gas for Africa programme in partnership with NNPC Limited, will be launched during the annual energy conference in Abuja and is being positioned as a major step towards improving transparency and investment decision-making in Nigeria’s gas and power sectors.

Industry stakeholders have long cited the lack of consolidated and reliable infrastructure data as a major challenge to attracting investment into the sector. The new map seeks to address that gap by providing a single source of information on Nigeria’s gas and power infrastructure, including pipelines, gas processing facilities, power generation assets, LNG terminals and key transmission networks.

ALSO READ: Dangote Refinery Hits 700,000bpd Output, Eyes Global Leadership

Alongside the infrastructure map, organisers will also release a comprehensive report on Nigeria’s gas sector, which they describe as the most extensive industry intelligence publication ever produced on the country’s gas value chain.

The report examines developments in the sector since 2020 and covers key areas such as the NNPC Gas Master Plan 2026, gas reserves and production trends, pipeline infrastructure, capacity challenges, compressed natural gas (CNG), piped natural gas (PNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets, gas-to-power projects and gas-based industrialisation.

According to the organisers, the publication provides an end-to-end assessment of Nigeria’s gas industry and offers critical insights for investors, policymakers and industry operators.

The launch comes at a time when global energy markets are undergoing significant shifts, driven by geopolitical tensions and increasing demand for alternative and secure energy supplies.

Organisers noted that Nigeria is strengthening its position as a major energy player, supported by rising crude oil production, implementation of a new Gas Master Plan and expanding refining capacity.

They said the infrastructure map and accompanying report are expected to help convert investor interest into concrete projects by providing accurate data on existing assets, infrastructure gaps and future opportunities across the sector.

Attendees at NOG Energy Week will be the first to access both publications as government officials, energy executives, investors and industry leaders gather in Abuja for the five-day event.

The conference is also expected to feature investment discussions, joint venture announcements, memorandum of understanding signings and project partnerships aimed at advancing Nigeria’s energy development agenda.

With preparations gathering momentum ahead of the event, organisers said NOG Energy Week 2026 will provide a platform for stakeholders to examine the future of Nigeria’s energy sector and its role in Africa’s broader energy transition and industrial growth.

Continue Reading

Energy

OPEC+ Increases Production Quotas for July

Published

on

OPEC+ ministers decided Sunday to increase oil quotas by a total 188,000 barrels per day for July, in a move analysts said would be unlikely to have an impact on prices sent higher by the Mideast war.

Jorge Leon, analyst at Rystad Energy, said ahead of the expected increase that it “means very little while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed”.

He added: “The market is not short of quota announcements; it is short of physical barrels that can actually move. In that sense, the 188,000 barrels per day increase would be more of a policy signal than a real supply boost.”

The hiked production output was agreed Sunday in a video meeting of oil ministers from key OPEC+ countries Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, a statement from the organisation said.

ALSO READ: Oil Sector Attracts $460,000 in Three Months – NBS

The increase was similar to ones decided in previous months.

The OPEC+ statement said the latest agreed hike was “to support oil market stability” but that the seven countries also saw an opportunity “to accelerate their compensation” in a time of historically high oil prices.

It added that the ministers “reaffirmed the importance of adopting a cautious approach and retaining full flexibility to increase, pause or reverse the phase out of the voluntary production adjustments, including reversing the previously implemented voluntary adjustments announced in November 2023”.

Leon, at Rystad Energy, said that OPEC+ was wary in case the Mideast war changes, and Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz eases.

“When the Strait of Hormuz reopens, the market could move very quickly from fear of shortage to fear of surplus,” he said.

“Returning OPEC+ supply, a stronger US shale response and weaker demand after a period of very high prices could leave the market with a very large oversupply problem,” he said.

AFP

Continue Reading

Energy

Nigeria, Algeria, Niger Back Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project

Published

on

Nigeria, Algeria, and Niger have expressed joint commitment to the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, which is set to significantly strengthen Africa’s regional energy security.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, made the disclosure on Thursday at the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the TSGP Steering Committee in Algiers.

The high-level session included ministerial delegations from the three participating nations and a strategic consultation with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the successful delivery of the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project, describing it as a landmark initiative that will redefine energy security across the continent.

ALSO READ: Dangote Refinery Hits 700,000bpd Output, Eyes Global Leadership

According to Ekpo, technical and commercial discussions are ongoing among stakeholders to reinforce the regulatory and financial frameworks required for the project’s implementation.

He noted that officials from the three countries have reviewed the latest feasibility reports and officially resolved that the project proceeds immediately into its next development phases.

“This project means a lot to the three countries in terms of industrialisation and job creation,” Ekpo asserted.

“We’ve talked about the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, and the President of Algeria has expressed his interest in the completion of the project,” Ekpo said. “I assure him that on the part of Nigeria, we will do everything possible to ensure the project sees the light of day.”

The minister pledged to work closely with his counterparts in Algeria and Niger, as well as the respective national oil companies — including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and Algeria’s Sonatrach — to accelerate project implementation.

On his part, President Tebboune reaffirmed Algeria’s full diplomatic and financial commitment to the pipeline.
He expressed confidence that with the robust political will demonstrated by the three governments, the pipeline will seamlessly move from planning to execution.

Tebboune noted that when completed, the transnational pipeline would deliver energy security, lucrative investment opportunities, and sustainable economic development for millions of people across Africa and European export markets.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x