General
Nigeria Launches Gas Network Code to Deepen Penetration
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has inaugurated the Nigeria Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC) to deepen the growth of the gas market in the country.
In a statement, it was disclosed that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, disclosed this at the virtual launch of The Go-Live of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code, in Abuja on Monday.
He said that following the declaration of 2020 as a year of gas, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was driving key policy and regulatory initiatives that would enhance gas reserves growth to support domestic and export project.
Mr Sylva said that another focus was to expand domestic gas supply and address the perennial challenges of gas flaring, with its attendant waste and environmental impact.
He said that the aggregate impact hangs on three anchor programmes on gas, namely the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC), National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) and Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).
This, he said, would help the sector achieve the presidential mandate of gas penetration, gas-based industrialisation, and economic diversification
“Specifically, it is my firm belief that the implementation of the network code, which is a set of rules and principles, guiding the use and operations of gas transportation network system, would deepen the domestic gas market.
“It will also unleash the potentials of accelerated growth and economic development for our nation. In the coming months, this code together with related interventions would enable an improved gas supply to power, growth of gas-based industries, domestic LNG, LPG and CNG penetration, as well as enhance revenue to the government and create investment opportunities for our people,” he said.
The Minister noted that the Department of Petroleum Resources had developed the Network Code Electronic Licensing and Administrative System (NCELAS), which would be used by the regulator to receive process and issue all applicable licenses to all network players as well as administer all regulatory roles required to ensure the optimal market impact.
“The NCELAS is a secured online environment that would provide optimum value for all stakeholders that would be operating under the network code.
“With the unveiling of the NCELAS and the execution of the network code framework agreement, the regime of gas transportation through a world-class network code would have been firmly established in Nigeria for the benefit of all stakeholders,” he said.
He said that the portal address for NCELAS is https://ncela.support.dpr.go.ng and www.dpr.gov.ng. and urged all stakeholders to effectively make use of the code to enhance their businesses.
Also speaking at the event, the Group Managing to Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari said that the code was an opportunity to widen the income source of gas in Nigeria.
He noted that the development was the beginning of progress in the gas sector.
On the part of the DPR, Director Sarki Auwalu said that the gas code will address gas flaring, grow infrastructure and expand the utilisation of gas in the country.
He said that the code would help to achieve the mandate of the year of gas as declared by the minister of state for Petroleum Resources.
“The code will guide the rules that govern the gas transportation system, secure gas transmission and ensure cost-effective tariff for pipeline management.
“The code will also help boost growth in the sector and six months from now, we will witness a lot of achievement,” he said.
He noted that the portal for licensing will ensure enterprise structure and will serve as a one-stop-shop for network administration.
It was noted that the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), Dangote Fertiliser Limited and the Nigeria Gas Hub signed a framework agreement on the transportation of gas.
Mr Sheyin Omotola signed for the NGC, while Mr Mansur Ahmed signed for Dangote Fertiliser and Mr David Ige signed for the Gas Hub ltd.
Mr Ahmed of Dangote fertiliser limited said the development had shown Nigeria’s seriousness on gas matters, adding that establishing rules for utilisation, selling and transportation of gas was crucial.
He commended the effort of the government in ensuring that the code was in place and urged all stakeholders to key in for effective gas development in the country.
By Dipo Olowookere
A $15 million debt facility has been obtained by Watt Renewable Corporation from the AfriGreen Debt Impact Fund to finance hybrid solar power plants to be built and operated by the former, especially in Nigeria.
WATT intends to use the projects to serve commercial and industrial clients in Nigeria, particularly in the telecommunication and financial services sectors.
By integrating solar hybrid solutions, the firm aims to significantly reduce diesel consumption and CO2 emissions, enabling its clients to achieve substantial energy cost savings while promoting environmental sustainability.
As a pioneer in renewable energy solutions, WATT continues to drive innovation in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The company’s robust roll-out plan includes deploying hundreds of hybrid solar power sites nationwide to meet the growing energy demands of commercial & industrial clients.
This strategic expansion aligns with WATT’s vision to revolutionize energy access across Africa, enabling sustainable development and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The funds from AfriGreen provide the critical capital needed to accelerate WATT’s ambitious projects, strengthening its market position and empowering businesses with reliable and affordable energy solutions.
Business Post gathered that to mitigate the currency risk for WATT in the event of devaluation of the Nigerian Naira, AfriGreen is offering a local currency facility that matches the payment structure of the power purchase agreements.
“We are thrilled to partner with AFRIGREEN on this transformative journey to expand reliable and sustainable energy solutions across Africa.
“With this support, it enables us to accelerate our shared mission of providing hybrid solar power to businesses, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting economic growth while enhancing energy security for our clients,” the Managing Director of WATT, Mr Oluwole Eweje, said.
“We are delighted to support WATT in rolling out hundreds of hybrid sites across the country.
“This represents another key transaction for AFRIGREEN in Nigeria. The combination of high energy prices, good solar irradiation, and strong demand from industrial and commercial energy users makes this market particularly attractive for companies like WATT.
“By leveraging these favourable market conditions alongside WATT’s exceptional operational performance and a well-structured financing solution, we are setting the stage for a strong and lasting business partnership,” the Managing Director of AfriGreen, Mr Alexandre Gilles, stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has denied issuing a directive that gas supply to power generating companies (GenCos) be halted.
In a statement on Wednesday, the authority also denied instructing wholesale gas suppliers to stop further supply of gas to companies due to failure in payment obligations.
The NMDPRA described reports stating that it has directed the stoppage of gas supply to GenCos over N2 trillion debt as “false and completely unfounded”.
“It has absolutely no bearing on the information shared at a recent stakeholders’ engagement held in Lagos between the Authority, the OPTS, IPPG and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry,” the NMDPRA said.
“The purpose of the engagement was to sensitise stakeholders on the requirements, opportunities and benefits associated with the implementation of the wholesale supply license as provided by sections 142 and 197 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
“It was a follow-up to an earlier stakeholder engagement held at the NMDPRA corporate headquarters in Abuja on November 27, 2024.
“The Authority wishes to reassure all our stakeholders and indeed the general public that at no time was the false statement made at that event and anywhere else, and are advised to completely disregard the publication as every effort is being made to ensure that the supply and distribution of natural gas and petroleum products to end users is seamless and unabated as we head into the festive season and indeed all through the coming year 2025.”
Recall that Nigeria’s national grid experienced another collapse on Wednesday, the 11th time in 2024 as Gencos couldn’t generate enough power, compounding issues facing the Nigerian power sector.
This was the first time in over a month as the last time the nation witnessed a nationwide shutdown in electricity supply was on November 7, 2024.
Before then, the country was experiencing an incessant collapse of the grid, which prompted the federal government to set up a team to address the issue.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Nigeria is currently experience a cut in power supply after the national grid collapsed for the 11th time in 2024.
This is the first time in over a month as the last time the nation witnessed a nationwide shut down in electricity supply was on November 7, 2024.
Before then, the country was experiencing an incessant collapse of the grid, which prompted the federal government to set up a team to address the issue.
However, just when Nigerians were thinking they will not witnessed another national grid collapse in the year, it issue reared its ugly head again.
On Wednesday afternoon, most of the energy distribution companies suffered power outage, prompting them to inform their customers of the situation.
One of the DisCos, Ikeja Electric Plc, in a message to electricity consumers under its franchise area, said, “Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today, December 11, 2024, at about 13:32 hours affecting supply within our network.
“Restoration of supply is ongoing in collaboration with our critical stakeholders. Kindly bear with us.”
Recall that on Tuesday, in a report, Google listed national grid as one of the top trending searches by Nigerians this year.
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