FG to establish 1,000MW coal power plant in Enugu

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a 1000 mega watts coal power plant in Enugu state.

The President, Goodluck Jonathan, who disclosed this in Enugu, said the plant is expected to help address the epileptic power situation in the country.

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the plant would complement other electricity projects being executed by the Federal Government and private investors in the area and ensure that Enugu and the rest of the South-east region enjoyed improved electricity supply.

The Federal Government had a couple of weeks ago said the country is capable of generating up to 30 per cent of its energy needs from its coal resources using environmental-friendly clean technology.

Jonathan said the country is endowed with abundant coal reserves of the required quality necessary for power generation.

To this end,

DPR cautions users of gas cylinders

The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has urged Nigerians to be careful with the use of Liquify Petroleum Gas, LPG, gas cylinders, as some are expired and prone to fire accident at homes and other uses.

Most fire accidents that occur at homes and other places are as a result of the use of expired gas cylinders and sometimes the carelessness of users.

Head Gas, DPR, Lagos Zonal Office, Mr. P.A. Emordi, who disclosed this stated that gas cylinders have expiring dates on the valves with a duration of 22 years of validity before which they should be disposed for another one.

Highlighting the breakdown of the years required for gas cylinders, Emordi noted that, “After the purchase of gas cylinders, it should be taken for the first integrity test after ten years, and five years before carrying out another integrity test.”

Also, he stated that the cylinder should be used for  five years and then taken for integrity test, and then finally two years ( 10-5-5-2), making the duration of 22 years before final disposal.

He added that

FG approves N213bn for power intervention fund

The Federal Government has announced a N213-billion facility to help offset the legacy gas debts and address the revenue shortfall in the power sector.

The announcement was made during an inter-agency initiative aimed at ensuring efficient gas supply for power generation, and finding a lasting solution to power supply challenges.

A statement from the spokesman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, said the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, made the announcement at a joint press conference held, last week in Abuja.

Members joined in the conference were the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; and the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi.

Alison-Madueke disclosed that

Mainstream Energy, RusHydro Start Rehabilitation of Kainji, Jebba Power Plants

The Board of Directors of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited has approved the Capacity Recovery Plan (CRP) for the rehabilitation of the Kainji and Jebba hydropower plants in Nigeria (with a total installed capacity of 1.3 GW) prepared by RusHydro International AG, a subsidiary of RusHydro.

The next step for RusHydro International AG will be to assist Mainstream Energy Solutions, which bought both plants through the power privatisation process, to prepare tender documentation and commence procurement (tender) procedures for the supply of equipment, construction, and assembly work.

IPPR: Europe can reduce reliance on Russian gas

The European Union can dramatically reduce reliance on Russian gas through energy efficiency targets, centre-left think tank IPPR has said.

A binding energy-saving target of 35% by 2030 would cut gas imports by a third, IPPR said.

The UK government has opposed such a target, saying it would be restrictive, and may not be cost-effective.

However, a security expert said energy supplies from volatile regions risk disruption.

The UK should adopt energy efficiency targets as part of its broader response to events in Ukraine, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) research fellow Joss Garman said.

The European Union has approved new sanctions against Russian energy companies including Rosneft, but gas will not be affected.

Boosting energy efficiency