Energy

CNG to Save Nigerians 40% on Fuel Costs, Says NNPC

Published

3 months ago

July 5, 2024

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) announced on Thursday that the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in automobiles will be 40% cheaper than using Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of 11 new CNG stations across Abuja and Lagos, part of an ambitious plan to establish 100 such stations nationwide within the next 12 months.

The NNPC’s initiative aims to provide Nigerians with an affordable alternative to petrol, leveraging the country’s abundant natural gas reserves of approximately 209 trillion standard cubic feet.

Huub Stokman, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, highlighted the significance of this development, noting that the expansion of CNG stations represents a major step in diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix and making fuel more accessible and economical for the populace.

“Adding CNG to NNPC stations provides Nigeria with an affordable alternative to existing fuel products. CNG will be about 40% cheaper than petrol in Nigeria. And with continued investments, it could become a significant part of our energy mix,” Stokman stated during the inauguration event in Abuja.

The NNPC has committed to launching over 100 CNG sites within the next year, supported by the establishment of two mechanical training centers combined with conversion centers in Abuja and Lagos.

These centers will facilitate the transition to CNG by providing necessary skills and resources for vehicle conversion and maintenance.

Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, underscored the company’s dedication to enhancing CNG infrastructure.

“We are constructing six CNG mother stations across the country between now and December, and we are also building three LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) stations in Ajaokuta. This initiative aims to bring gas closer to consumers, reducing transportation costs and making fuel more affordable,” Kyari said.

The rollout of CNG stations aligns with President Muhammadu Buhari’s initiative to promote sustainable and locally sourced energy solutions.

The new CNG facilities are designed to meet global best practices, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient service to all customers.

The Executive Vice President of Cleanergy Innovation Ltd, Shettima Imam, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in achieving significant milestones in Nigeria’s energy sector.

The deployment of CNG is expected to provide substantial financial relief to car owners, who have been benefiting from government petrol subsidies ranging between N6 million and N9 million per annum.

With the switch to CNG, an average car owner could save approximately N12 million annually.

“This initiative is not just about providing cheaper fuel; it is about utilizing Nigeria’s natural resources to create a more dynamic and inclusive energy sector,” Imam added.

“The CNG stations are a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation.”

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Energy

FG Unveils N122 Billion Boost for Six Indigenous Gas Companies

Published

3 days ago

October 3, 2024

Bassey Marshall

The Federal Government has unveiled six indigenous gas companies eligible for the N122 billion equity participation program under the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF).

According to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the six companies—Asiko Energy Holdings Limited (AEHL), FEMADEC Energy Limited, Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC), Nsik Oil and Gas Limited, Rolling Energy Limited, and Topline Limited—have undergone rigorous screening.

Ekpo made the announcement during the signing ceremony of the MDGIF and Promoters Agreement held in Abuja.

He revealed that the investment reflects the government’s commitment to energy security, economic growth, and the development of the country’s gas infrastructure.

Ekpo described the signing as a significant step in the country’s energy sector.

He said, “Today marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s gas revolution. I am pleased to announce the Federal Government’s approval of N122 billion for six indigenous companies through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF). This groundbreaking investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to energy security, economic growth, and the development of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.”

“Today is a significant milestone as we formally enter into agreements with six business entities that have been screened to obtain government equity participation under the MDGIF.”

Ekpo assured that the N122 billion will not be the last as the MDGIF is screening another batch of beneficiaries.

He urged the benefiting investors, who are the first to sign agreements for the projects since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to live up to expectations.

He encouraged companies that did not make the first list not to lose hope.

The minister said, “For those who did not make the first six, we will have a second batch. Go home and put your records in order, and of course, this is the first since the passing of the PIA in 2021. This is the first signing, and we expect you to live up to expectations.”

Energy

Nigerians Tackle Minister of Power Over Claim of 20-Hour Electricity Supply

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

Many Nigerians have expressed shock and critisised the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, harshly for claiming that over 40 percent of the country’s population is now enjoying up to 20 hours of electricity supply per day.

But his critics disagreed, saying the country still experience power outages and inconsistent supply at their deteriorating levels.

Reacting to Adelabu’s announcement, a resident of Lagos State, Kiwon Adesanya, said the minister’s statement is a far cry from the reality that citizens experience daily.

He said the people would only count themselves lucky if they get 8 hours of electricity in a good week, noting that “The constant power cuts are disrupting our lives and businesses.”

Echoing similar sentiments in other parts of the country, some residents of Ibadan, Oyo State capital said many businesses have collapsed due to poor power supply.

One of the affected residents, Doyin Ekundayo, a small business owner, expressed frustration with the government’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Ekundayon said it is disheartening to hear the minister claim such progress when the nation is still struggling with the same old problems.

While the government has made significant strides in recent years to improve electricity infrastructure, many Nigerians argue that the challenges facing the power sector are more complex than simply increasing generation capacity.

Factors such as transmission losses, inadequate distribution networks, and corruption have contributed to the ongoing power crisis.

Critics of the minister’s claim have called for more data-driven evidence to support his assertion.

They argue that anecdotal evidence from individual consumers is not sufficient to paint a comprehensive picture of the country’s electricity situation.

As the debate over the minister’s claim intensifies, Nigerians are demanding concrete solutions to the power crisis.

They are calling on the government to prioritize investments in renewable energy, improve grid infrastructure, and address corruption within the power sector.

Energy

Power Generation Reaches New Heights as 40% of Nigerians Enjoy Over 20 Hours of Electricity

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2024

Bassey Marshall

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said the major achievement of the ministry under his administration is the increase in power generation to over 5,500 megawatts.

The minister, who spoke during a review of the ministry’s activities in the last one year, said more than 40% of Nigerians are now enjoying at least 20 hours of power supply.

Adelabu described the power supply before his resumption as epileptic, adding that Nigerians were unable to enjoy more than 15 hours of power supply per day.

He said, “Upon resumption, we had an installed generation capacity of 13,000 megawatts, but we were only producing, transmitting, and distributing about 4,000 megawatts of power to the entire country.

“This was quite low and unacceptable given our population and level of economic activities. Therefore, we were determined to improve the situation.

“At that time, there was an epileptic supply. Almost all customers, both residential and commercial, could not be guaranteed 12-15 hours of supply.

Additionally, the adoption of renewable energy was skeletal in terms of solar or wind sources of energy.

“Between then and now, which is about a year, there has been significant improvement. Today, our installed capacity is over 14,000 megawatts of power due to the addition of the newly commissioned Zungeru hydroelectric power plant and improved capacity of some of the existing power plants.

“Moreover, the major achievement is the fact that today we generate over 5,500 megawatts of power, we transmit and distribute it, and over 40% of customers today enjoy over 20 hours of regular power supply across the nation. You can see that there is a significant improvement between when we came in and now, which we intend to improve further.”

Furthermore, Minister Adelabu highlighted some challenges faced by the ministry, particularly the issue of the meter gap in the country.

He revealed that out of 13 million customers, over 7 million are without meters.

The minister emphasised the need to address this issue.

However, he revealed that with President Tinubu’s Presidential Metering Initiative, the issue of the meter gap will be addressed.

Adelabu added, “There is the issue of the meter gap that we have. We all know that out of almost 13 million customers that we have in the industry, over 7 million customers are still without meters and are on estimated billing. We said this is not the way to go.

“We must correct this, which is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu set up the Presidential Metering Initiative, which has the mandate of installing over 10 million meters within the next five years, at least 2 million meters every year. We are making progress on this. The funds are being provided, and we will soon go into the acquisition of these meters. This would reduce the meter gap.”