The enormous gas to power demand, projected to grow sharply as National Independent Power Plants (NIPPs) come on stream, will be bridged by 2015, Diezani Alison-Madueke, minister of Petroleum has said.
The minister, represented by David Ige, an official of the ministry, was speaking on Monday at a one-day roundtable session in Abuja, organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
Minister of power, Chinedu Nebo, also informed that the power sector’s gas debt has dropped from its estimated N30 billion in 2012 to “a little over N20 billion” today as the government continues to pursue its undertaking to settle all liabilities.
It is estimated that by year end, gas demand by NIPPs will grow by 340mmcf/day, coming notably from Geregu and Ihovor power plants. Current demand by NIPPs is about 260 mmcf/day in the western area.
Madueke said, “Several efforts are being taken to assure gas supply growth, in line with this demand. In the short term to end 2013, about 130 mmcf/d is expected in the west. However, between 2014/15 almost 1,000mmcf/d is forecast to be added. This will bridge the gap in demand by NIPP.
“In the East, the short-term objective will be to utilise already available gas for which either delays in completion of the power plants, or other infrastructural projects, prevent gas usage. These are expected to be addressed through 2014/2015 bridging shortfalls in the East. In essence, with our current supply plans, there is confidence that NIPPs demand can be met by 2015,” she assured.
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