Seplat CEO: Africa’s Vast Gas Reserves Key to Addressing Immediate Challenges
Africa’s abundant gas reserves offer a vital opportunity to tackle the continent’s pressing energy challenges, according to Mr. Roger Brown, CEO of Seplat Energy Plc. Speaking at the Africa Oil Week (AOW) Conference and Exhibition in Cape Town, South Africa, Brown emphasized the role of gas in driving economic growth and supporting renewable energy expansion.
In his keynote address at the AOW Gas Forum, themed “Enhancing Africa’s Gas Capacity,” Brown highlighted gas as an essential resource for providing baseload power, which would enable the growth of renewables across Africa. He acknowledged that, while renewable energy currently makes up a small percentage of Africa’s energy mix, its potential for the future is promising.
“Gas will play a critical role in moving away from reliance on coal and oil for electricity,” Brown remarked, pointing to gas as a crucial part of Africa’s energy transition, helping to achieve both economic and environmental goals. He called on capital providers to recognize gas as an indispensable fuel source for Africa, noting that its availability could help accelerate widespread electrification and improve per capita electricity consumption.
Brown stressed that natural gas not only offers solutions for energy access but also supports the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He explained that gas could reduce energy costs, boost job creation, and foster development across Africa. Additionally, bottled gas could prevent nearly half a million deaths from biomass cooking, and gas infrastructure is crucial for industries like cement, steel, and glass production.
In a panel session titled “Gas-to-Power: Unlocking Africa’s Potential,” Brown underscored Seplat Energy’s commitment to the gas-to-power system. He explained that gas can provide 24/7 power or overnight baseload to complement renewables, helping decarbonize Africa’s energy system by producing half the CO2 emissions of diesel and burning more cleanly.
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Brown highlighted the impact of Seplat’s ANOH Gas Plant, which will support over 1GW of grid-scale generation once operational, replacing smaller generators and delivering lower costs, reduced emissions, and economic benefits for households and businesses. He added that Seplat is investing in its midstream gas business to deliver more gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to the market, further driving the energy transition.
Seplat Energy’s capital investment projects, including the ANOH and Sapele Integrated Gas Plants, will continue to support gas production and LPG delivery for domestic consumption, positioning gas as a cornerstone of Africa’s energy future.
