*Company committed to just, affordable energy transition, says CEO
Seplat Energy Plc said it is committed to unwavering, just and affordable energy transition noting that its ANOH and upgraded Sapele gas projects could fuel another 2000 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2024, thus displacing the wide use of diesel/petrol generators for electricity as well as the use of biomass as cooking fuel.
The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, Mr. Roger Brown, said this during his Keynote at the opening ceremony of the 40th Annual International Conference & Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) held in Lagos on Tuesday. The theme of the conference is “Global Energy Transition and the Future of the Oil and Gas Industry: Evolving Regulations, Emerging Concepts and Opportunities.”
Mr. Brown said for Seplat Energy, “Using gas to provide more affordable and reliable energy will boost Nigeria’s economy; drive development; create jobs and prosperity; reduce emissions from diesel usage; support future renewable deployment; and enable a just and affordable energy transition.”
Seplat Energy currently operates 300 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas, which is enough to generate more than one gigawatt (GW) of electricity daily; and strongly believes that the country needs to utilise gas to displace 20GW diesel/petrol generators, as well as the use of biomass as cooking fuel. Beyond displacement, however, Seplat Energy believes that increased gas production and penetration in Nigeria presents huge opportunity for the Nigerian state and people.
Mr. Brown said: “The global quest to reach net zero emissions means energy companies must start to shift away from a heavy reliance on fossil fuels and invest in lower carbon alternatives. Banks are also facing their own pressure to cut back on fossil fuel investments and have started to pull back from financing the industry.
“Global demand for fossil fuels is forecast to decline significantly in the long term but they will still be relevant in meeting the energy demand, particularly with a growing world population expected to reach 10billion by 2050+. The importance of gas as a transition fuel (main baseload for electricity generation) in energy-deprived countries like Nigeria ensures demand remains substantial.
“However, to gain access to the capital needed to develop energy, commitments to and most importantly delivery of renewable energy will be essential.”
The Seplat Energy boss told participants at the conference that it was encouraging that a “Just and affordable energy transition” is now on the agenda at COP 27 as energy transition is about balancing realities. “This is a welcome development,” he said, adding that: “Currently, most Nigerians lack access to affordable, reliable energy, which hampers development.
“Poor infrastructure cum, theft of national resources; over-reliance on oil exports and imports of refined products; global decarbonisation imbalance with development; and extreme flooding, amongst others, are some of the challenges to be considered.”
Speaking on the need for collaboration given today’s realities, Mr. Brown maintained that: “Global warming is real and as an industry operating in Nigeria, we need to do our share of addressing the issue (therefore we need to transition to a lower carbon future). However, today we are faced with some of the highest electricity prices in the world brought about by an over reliance on oil generated electricity, through off-grid mini generators (petrol and diesel) estimated to be almost 15 million in number.
“High electricity prices result in a barrier for development of essential social needs in healthcare, education, food security and employment for a population set to double in the next three decades. It is critical therefore to balance global warming mitigation with access to affordable and reliable energy for all. We must make our oil sector efficient and less carbon intensive, as well developing our huge gas resources as a short to medium term objective. The oil sector “cash cow” revenues need to fund this transition.”
With a functioning grid system as we see elsewhere in the world, the Seplat CEO said: “We can then develop larger scale solar, hydro and potentially wind power to reduce GHG intensity. This will enable Nigeria to increase access to energy for all and move from just over 50 per cent of the population with access to electricity, towards the world average of around 90 per cent.”
The ceremony had in attendance industry regulators, players, service companies, financial institutions, analysts and media, among other energy stakeholders in Nigeria and overseas.
