ACTING projects 55% gas-to-power growth by 2025

As several African nations seek to increase the consumption and monetisation of natural gas across their economies, the African Coalition for Trade and Investment in Natural Gas expects a 55 per cent growth in grid-connected gas-to-power generation by 2025 in sub-Saharan Africa.

ACTING projected this in its inaugural ‘State of Play: African Gas’ report, noting that the continent remains one of the lowest consumers of gas globally.

In a statement on Tuesday, it said, “ACTING expects a 55 per cent growth in grid-connected gas-to-power generation by 2025 on the back of greenfield and brownfield projects and the conversation of coal and diesel power plants to gas in Senegal and South Africa.

“West Africa is the region expected to see the biggest gas-to-power capacity addition by 2025, with at least 750 MW in Senegal, 643 MW in Côte d’Ivoire, 450 MW in Nigeria, 200 MW in Ghana, 150 MW in Benin and 65 MW in Togo.”

ACTING revealed that low gas penetration rates in sub-Saharan Africa contrasted with the vast amount of natural gas reserves found onshore and offshore from Senegal to Mozambique, stating that the development could lift millions out of poverty and provide the resource the continent needs to industrialise.

The report revealed that the growth of Africa’s natural gas consumption and production was set to be one of the world’s fastest until 2040 on the back of new liquefied natural gas projects and strong policy support for natural gas consumption across industries, transport, and power.

Chief among the report’s findings is the upcoming growth in gas-to-power generation capacity across sub-Saharan Africa.

Commenting on the report, Executive Chairman at the African Energy Chamber, Nj Ayuk, said, “An in-depth look at the natural gas dynamics across the sub-continent shows the diversity of each country’s experience with natural gas and the tremendous potential there is for regionalisation and cross-border gas cooperation.

“Natural gas has the potential to be a true enabler of economic recovery post-COVID-19 and to support Africa’s energy transition, and this platform will unlock new investment and ultimately create jobs.”