Energy
Offshore West Africa: A major instrument of growth
Joseph BAMIDELE
LAGOS-THE Offshore West Africa Conference & Exhibition, owned and produced by the PennWell Corporation, is delighted to introduce delegates, exhibitors and visitors to the upcoming 20th anniversary edition in Nigeria.
The first of its kind in West Africa, the event premiered in 1996 in Nigeria to an international audience of delegates, exhibitors and partners. Borne out of a need to provide a networking and technical knowledge sharing platform in the West African Oil & Gas sector, this annual event has grown from humble beginnings into the Oil & Gas phenomenal event it is today.
The Offshore West Africa Conference has over its rich 20-year history been instrumental to the growth of the Oil & Gas Sector globally by delivering a first class networking platform in West Africa and continues to do so. To mention a few, The paradigm shift in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Sector from land and swamp operations to Offshore Oil & Gas Exploration and Production, with the major International Oil and Gas companies delving into the use of FPSOs (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Vessels) as the ‘new way’ in offshore E&P (Exploration & Production) operations in the last 15 years.
The Offshore West Africa forum has also played a significant role in showcasing new and relevant technologies that have been instrumental to the discovery and development of new and major offshore Oil & Gas Fields in West Africa as was the case with the Ghanaian Oil & Gas industry when hydrocarbon deposits were discovered in commercial quantities in the last 10 years.
“This in turn has attracted more international Oil & Gas companies to the West African Offshore E&P market as well as generate new frontiers in far off Asia for the manufacture of FPSOs, allied technology, products as well as requisite global training of manpower to operate new systems and operate in fresh markets.
Indeed, the Offshore West Africa Conference is truly indigenous to the countries where the forum has held over the years – as our continuous partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and various similar institutions in the West African Oil and gas sector has proven.
International Trade Missions with global reaches such as the United Kingdom Trade & Investment Council (UKTI), the Scottish Development International (SDI) and the International Trade Council (ITC) as well as Regional Industry government heavyweights such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), International Oil Companies – IOCs (such as Royal Dutch Shell, Total, Addax, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and Saipem), EPIC companies, major financial institutions operating in West Africa have also continuously partnered with the Offshore West Africa Conference over the years. This list is still growing.”
The report reads further that Foremost Institutions such as the African Energy Association, the Energy Institute Nigeria and Lonadek have also continued to partner with the Offshore West Africa Conference as Strategic Partners for the 20th annual Offshore West Africa in 2016. As featured during the Offshore West Africa 2015 conference, the Year 2016 conference will also feature a Continuous Development Programme for fresh engineers and a Youth Empowerment Programme for a stipulated number of university students from Ghana and Nigeria.
“These programmes will be run in conjunction with Lonadek and the Energy Institute’s Young Professionals Network and they form a part of PennWell’s overall corporate social responsibility initiatives. The programmes involve Career Counselling, Industry Related Awareness and an Empowerment Workshop.
As plans are being finalised towards the 20th anniversary edition of the Offshore West Africa Conference, the event promises to be better than ever.
Taking place on 26-28 January 2016 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria, Offshore West Africa will build on the success of the 2015 event, which also took place in Lagos and attracted a record breaking international audience of almost 2,400 leading oil and gas industry professionals from more than 30 countries worldwide.
The event will continue to feature a technical and strategic conference program developed by an Advisory Board comprised of leading industry experts, as well as an exhibition showcasing products, technologies and services from global and regional oil & gas companies, held concurrently, bringing together exhibitors and attendees from around the world for three days of education, networking and new business development.
Offshore West Africa is a truly West African event and addresses key technology and development issues for the West African offshore Oil and Gas market, through a comprehensive educational program and three-day exhibition and conference, with the 2016 event focusing on Positioning for a Sustainable Future as the core theme.
Offshore West Africa welcomes you to join in the celebrations as the event hosts its 20th anniversary celebrations, and will provide further news shortly on the announcement of new strategic partners, supporters, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers. “the report reads in part.
Energy
Minister of Power, Adelabu Champions Mini-Grids Amid Northern Power Crisis
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
Energy
Power Restored In Four Northern States After 10-Day Blackout
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.”
Energy
Nigerian Power Supply: FGN Nears PPI Completion
The Federal Government of Nigeria Power Company (FGN Power Company) has announced significant progress in the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which is set to revolutionize the nation’s electricity transmission landscape.
The initiative, in partnership with Siemens, aims to enhance the country’s power infrastructure through the deployment of advanced technology and equipment.
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Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, revealed that the installation and commissioning of eight power transformers across key locations are now complete.
The transformers have been successfully deployed in Ajah, Maryland, Apo, Okene, Ihovbor, Amukpe, Potiskum, and Birnin Kebbi, resulting in a notable increase in the transmission wheeling capacity by 569.6 megawatts (MW).
In addition to the transformers, three mobile substations are operational in Ajah, Jebba, and Kawnar Dangora, further boosting the transmission capacity by an additional 151.2 MW.
Anuwe emphasized that these enhancements are pivotal in addressing the energy needs of the country and supporting economic growth.
Looking ahead, Anuwe stated that the transmission network will be augmented by an impressive 720.8 MW, with plans to commission the remaining equipment to deliver at least another 500 MW by the end of 2024.
This strategic initiative is expected to significantly improve power distribution and reliability, marking a transformative step towards a more robust energy sector in Nigeria.