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| Ghana gas |
Ghana is planning to reduce its dependence on 'unreliable' gas supply from Nigeria in the coming year.
It was gathered that the neighbouring country has begun processing gas from its offshoreJubilee oil field through a pipelineproject that could save the government over $300 million a year on fuel costs.
Ghana's new Atuabo Gas Processing Plant was recently streamed, supplying 50 million cubic feet of gas per day to nearby thermal power generators operated by the Volta River Authority (VRA) power utility in the western town of Aboadze, to provide a projected 500 megawatts of electricity.
Meanwhile, plans are also in the pipeline by the Nigerian energy group, Sahara Energy, to build a thermal plant in Ghana by next year, to buoy the generation capacity of the country.
A statement from Ghana Gas, said the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant plant has also produced 3,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas and condensate as by products.
Two more gas fields are expected to come on stream by 2017 to add to Jubilee, which is operated by British firm Tullow Oil.
Ghana has recently complainedof shortage of gas supply through the West African Gas Pipeline(WAGP) system.
The $1billion West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), operator of the West African Gas Pipeline system, transport natural gas from Nigeria to customers in Benin, Togo and Ghana for powergeneration and other domestic uses.
WAPCO, a joint venture between public and private sector companies from Nigeria, has regional field offices in Badagry, Nigeria, Cotonou, Benin; Lome, Togo, Tema and Takoradi, both in Ghana.
However, a source at Sahara Energy's Ghana country office stated that the energy group was holding discussions with the Volta River Authority (VRA), which it still lifts crude oil for, towards the construction of the about 2000 megawatts plant in Ghana.
Sahara Energy, started operating in the country in 2001 when it lifted crude oil for the Tema Oil Refinery and the VRA.
"We just completed the plant in Nigeria. As it has been our trademark, we want to complete all the learning process before we replicate it here in Ghana," the source said.
The Sahara Group, through its subsidiary, owns a 70 per cent stake (controlling interest) in the Egbin Thermal Power Plant located in Lagos, Nigeria, with current generating capacity of 1,320 megawatts (MW) with planned expansion to 2,640MW, a feat the company hopes to replicate in Ghana in a few years. Egbin is Nigeria's largest thermal power distributor.
The group also holds 60 per cent interest in Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.
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