Staff Reporter
CAPE TOWN, October 19 — Africa is currently grappling with the urgent need to meet its burgeoning energy demands. The solution, it seems, may lie in the vast reserves of natural gas that offer the continent a promising path to alleviate its power scarcity. With the potential to generate a staggering 400 GW of power in sub-Saharan Africa, natural gas has the capacity to significantly transform the energy landscape. Gas-to-power technology, a crucial facet of the energy transition, reduces carbon emissions and eliminates harmful gas flaring.
The second day of African Energy Week (AEW) 2023, the flagship event organized by the African Energy Chamber (AEC), featured a session titled “Powering Africa: Harnessing the Potential of Gas-to-Power.” This session delved into the opportunities and challenges associated with harnessing natural gas for power generation on the African continent.
Olakunle Williams, CEO of Tetracore, stressed the need for Africa to embrace natural gas as a source of electricity in light of the global shift towards cleaner energy sources. “There is a pressing need for more investments in gas-based solutions to unlock our abundant gas resources,” he emphasized.
Africa is endowed with substantial recoverable natural gas reserves, often conveniently located near major population centres. This proximity presents a unique opportunity to leverage domestic resources for power generation.
Manuel Barros, CEO of the Gas and Renewable Energy Business Unit at Sonangol, highlighted Angola’s efforts to utilize natural gas for domestic purposes. “We are not only exporting gas but also seeking to monetize it within the country, with plans to construct industrial plants and downstream facilities for our fertilizer plants,” he explained.
Jérôme Paillat, Senior LNG Project Director at TotalEnergies Gas, Renewable & Power, emphasized the significance of gas-to-power in meeting the growing electricity demand. He noted, “Renewable energy will drive much of the electricity growth in the coming years, but gas-to-power remains a crucial component.”
However, developing the necessary infrastructure for gas-to-power projects necessitates substantial investments. Securing financing for pipelines, processing facilities, and power plants can often be a challenge.
David Pappoe Jr, Executive Director of Energas West Africa Limited, stressed the need for swift action in securing funding and infrastructure development. “Natural gas is pivotal to Africa’s energy transition, and we can’t afford to waste any more time,” he said.
Many African countries rely heavily on coal, oil, or renewables in their energy systems. Integrating natural gas into the energy mix requires meticulous planning and coordination. Additionally, there is potential to blend natural gas with other energy sources, such as hydrogen, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Sujen Balakisson, Business Development Manager for the Southern and Eastern Africa region at Wärtsilä Energy Solutions, emphasized the gradual decarbonization process. “Hydrogen blending with natural gas provides us with the capacity to move closer to our emissions targets and rely less on high-emission gas sources,” she explained.
One country making strides in both domestic and export gas utilization is Morocco, as highlighted by Pierre Raillard, Head of Gas Business and Morocco Country Director at Chariot Limited. “In addition to large-scale projects, we are actively working on domestic initiatives, such as the Moroccan onshore development, which is nearing a final investment decision,” he revealed.
#AEW2023 is being held this week in Cape Town with a mission to eradicate energy poverty by 2030. For more updates on Africa’s premier energy event, visit www.aecweek.com.
