Gas to Power

The Gas to Power project contributes to a larger programme; the Sustainable Utilisation of Nigeria’s Gas and Renewable Energy Resources (SUNGAS), which aims to encourage the sustainable use of Nigeria’s energy resources through harnessing gas from flares to meet local energy needs in the Niger Delta. For communities living in the Niger Delta, gas flaring is the most visible and insidious representation of the oil industry. Nigeria has approximately 180 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, the seventh largest in the world, currently exporting around 3 billion cubic ft. per day and flaring around 2.5 billion cubic ft. per day; equal to 30% of the entire EU’s annual gas consumption. However, only 0.5 billion cubic feet per day is supplied to the domestic power sector, despite 70% of the population not having access to electricity or modern energy services. Harnessing gas from the flares to meet local energy needs is critical to local development in the region.;The Gas to Power demonstration project will utilise associated gas from either a flow station or oil well and using a micro turbine, generate electricity for domestic and small business consumption. The project will deploy a 0.5 MW gas turbine to produce and distribute electricity to around 3,000 households, 500 small businesses, 5 health centres and 6 schools. A strong community ownership element has been built into the project design; the entire assets and operations will be managed and maintained by a community-based utility company, owned by the community. The siting of the project will be preceded by a technical feasibility and economic viability assessment since the project aims at full cost recovery. In addition to electricity generation, the project has scope to incorporate other components including gas to liquid and gas to fertiliser, and these additions will operate on a fully commercial basis. This is the first time in Nigeria that a community will generate its own power from a hi-tech micro turbine rather then unsustainable diesel generators that create high levels of pollution. The scale of the project makes it replicable in other parts of the Niger Delta; as a sustainable local solution to domestic and industrial energy needs.;