AEW, africa is currently grappling with a pressing challenge that involves meeting its rapidly growing energy demands. This issue is multifaceted, given the continent’s diverse landscape and the need to provide reliable and sustainable power sources to its people. Fortunately, a potential solution has emerged in the form of natural gas, offering Africa a viable path to address its power scarcity and fuel its energy revolution.
One of the most promising aspects of this solution lies in Africa’s abundant natural gas reserves, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. These reserves, vast and geographically strategic, have the capacity to generate an impressive 400 gigawatts of power. This potential, if harnessed effectively, could reshape Africa’s energy landscape, offering a path to energy security and economic development, AEW.
Gas-to-power technology is a critical element in this energy transition. This technology not only provides a cleaner energy source but also significantly reduces carbon emissions. Additionally, it addresses the longstanding issue of harmful gas flaring, which has been a major environmental concern in many regions. The use of natural gas in power generation represents a win-win situation by providing a more sustainable source of energy and reducing the environmental impact.
The significance of this transition to natural gas was emphasized during the African Energy Week (AEW) 2023, which is the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) premier energy event. The second day of this event featured a session titled “Powering Africa: Harnessing the Promise of Gas-to-Power.” This session aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with leveraging natural gas for power generation in Africa, AEW.
Olakunle Williams, the CEO of Tetracore, highlighted the importance of this transition by stating, “We are currently experiencing a major shift in the energy sector towards cleaner sources of energy. Africa’s response should be anchored in Africa’s natural gas, which is capable of generating electricity. There is a need for much more gas-based investments that will help unlock gas resources.” This statement underscores the need for strategic investments in this sector to realize the full potential of natural gas.
Africa is undoubtedly blessed with substantial recoverable natural gas reserves. Remarkably, many of these reserves are located in close proximity to major population centers. This geographical advantage provides a unique opportunity to harness domestic resources for power generation, which can significantly enhance energy security and reduce reliance on imported fuels, AEW
From an Angolan perspective, Manuel Barros, CEO of the Gas and Renewable Energy Business Unit at Sonangol, shared insights into their ongoing efforts. He mentioned, “We have an industrial plant being constructed, and a new facility will be underway very soon, which will be for the downstream industry for our fertilizer plants. So, this means that we are not only using gas for export but also trying to monetize it within the country.” This dual approach of export and domestic utilization can contribute to economic growth and stability, AEW.
Jérôme Paillat, the Senior LNG Project Director at TotalEnergies Gas, Renewable & Power, emphasized the role of gas-to-power technology in meeting the growing demand for electricity. He noted, “Electricity is the way people are going to consume power in the next few years, so power is very important.
Most of the electricity growth will be driven by renewables, but gas-to-power is very important.” This viewpoint underscores the versatility of natural gas as a bridging fuel in the transition to more renewable energy sources, AEW.
However, transitioning to a natural gas-based energy system is not without its challenges. Building the necessary infrastructure for gas-to-power projects requires substantial investments. This includes securing financing for pipelines, processing facilities, and power plants, which can often be a complex and time-consuming process, AEW.
David Pappoe Jr, Executive Director of Energas West Africa Limited, highlighted this issue by saying, “We need financing and infrastructure development. Next year we should be able to say we have a deal with companies and we are executing it. We need to stop wasting time and start working on these projects. As we indicated, natural gas is the main fuel for African energy transition, so we need to stop wasting time.”
Moreover, many African countries have existing energy systems that heavily rely on coal, oil, or renewables. Integrating natural gas into the energy mix requires careful planning and coordination. Furthermore, there is an opportunity to mix natural gas with other energy sources, such as hydrogen, to achieve the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, AEW.
Sujen Balakisson, Business Development Manager for the Southern and Eastern Africa region at Wärtsilä Energy Solution, expressed optimism in this regard. He said, “I think the journey to decarbonization and realizing agreements up to 2050 is a gradual process. With hydrogen blending with natural gas, we have that capacity to reach the target, and we are able to rely slightly less on gas that has higher emissions.” This approach recognizes the importance of a gradual and pragmatic transition to cleaner energy sources.
Morocco stands out as an example of progress in addressing both domestic and export gas utilization. Pierre Raillard, Head of Gas Business and Morocco Country Director at Chariot Limited, provided insights into Morocco’s efforts. He explained, “We need to find a domestic component as much as the big projects, AEW.
For example, the Moroccan onshore development we are working on financing and developing and hoping to find a final investment decision (FID) soon will anchor itself on the domestic component. We have a doubling anchoring on the local and export component.” This approach highlights the importance of striking a balance between large-scale projects and initiatives that benefit local communities, ensuring that the benefits of natural gas are distributed broadly.
African Energy Week 2023, taking place in Cape Town, has set a significant mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030. This ambitious goal reflects the urgent need for Africa to address its energy challenges and unlock the potential of natural gas as a vital component of its energy transition. As the event unfolds, it promises to provide more exciting information and updates about Africa’s premier energy event.
Conclusion: AEW
Africa’s journey toward meeting its energy demands and transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable sources is a multifaceted endeavor. Natural gas emerges as a promising solution, with its abundant reserves and gas-to-power technology. However, the challenges of financing and infrastructure development, alongside the need for careful integration and balanced utilization, highlight the complexities of this transition. With determination and strategic investments, Africa can harness its natural gas resources to provide reliable and sustainable power while addressing energy poverty by 2030, AEW.
Source: The guardian
