Page 26 - Energize May 2022

NEWS

Accelerating Nigeria’s 30-30-30 vision

with flexible gas-to-power generation

Wärtsilä recently presented the latest results of an in-depth study which models the most
cost-effective and reliable energy mix that can be built each year in Nigeria.

igeria is the largest and one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, yet despite a locally sourced gas. Strengthening the
wealth of natural resources, the country continues to struggle with acute electricity transmission capacity between north
Nshortages, which constrain its economic development. To combat this, last year the and south will greatly benefit the central
Nigerian government formally launched “the Decade of Gas”, setting gas development and regions as well.
utilization as a national priority As more capacity is added to the
system, the cost of electricity is predicted
Modelling long-term energy system solutions to fall drastically within the first years, as
Wärtsilä’s report “2022 to 2040 Analysis of Nigeria’s National Power System”, used the locally sourced gas fuels more cost-efficient
advanced Plexos modelling tool to quantify system level benefits of different technologies in gas power generation to overtake expensive
the Nigerian power system. The model is used to analyse and identify the optimal capacity diesel. With the advanced scenario,
expansion for the country. cumulative saving to 2040 of up to $430
The model shows that the country requires more aggressive capacity additions than the billion can be achieved when compared to
current situations, referred to as business-as-usual scenario, in order to achieve the country’s the business-as-usual scenario.
stated 30-30-30 vision. But looking beyond 2030, and by mapping the country’s solar and wind For Wärtsilä, the choice of power
potential for renewable energy, together with transmission data from five major regions, an generation technology is as important
advanced 30-30-30 scenario can be envisaged which would generate additional power and as the choice of fuel. In a system that
significant cost savings. maximises the use of low-cost renewables,
This advanced scenario recommends the installation of 45 GW of low-cost renewables in being able to rely on flexible power
the north and west of the country by 2040, while concentrating 43 GW of gas-fired internal technologies becomes paramount.
combustion engine (ICE) power plants in the southern regions with access to low-cost In this context, ICE power plants

energize | May 2022 | 24