Nigeria has awarded permits to 28 companies under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), aimed at eliminating routine gas flaring and reducing carbon emissions. This initiative plans to capture between 250-300 million standard cubic feet of flared gas daily, potentially leading to a reduction of 6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year and producing nearly 3 gigawatts of electricity. Additionally, the project is set to attract around $2 billion in investments, create over 100,000 jobs, and provide clean cooking gas (LPG) for 1.4 million households.
The permits were granted after a competitive bidding process, which involved allocating 49 flare sites to 42 companies. The awarded firms have signed important agreements to access flare gas, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan. This program also aims to enhance the country’s decarbonization and ESG objectives. Although securing permits is a key achievement, officials acknowledged ongoing challenges in design, construction, and financing phases.
The NGFCP represents a crucial step in Nigeria’s efforts to combat routine flaring and enhance its global standing in energy transition commitments. Supported by organizations like Power Africa, KPMG, and the World Bank, the initiative aims to transform flared gas from an environmental hazard into a valuable economic resource. As it progresses, stakeholders will focus on the next stages of engineering, construction, and financing to ensure successful project implementation. Overall, the initiative is expected to generate significant economic, industrial, and environmental benefits while advancing Nigeria’s energy transition strategy.
Leave a comment