Togo Sources Gas for Power Via WAGP
Axxela, the power and midstream gas subsidiary of independent Nigerian gas producer Oando, signed an agreement December 8 with the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCo).
The agreement is to transport 15mn ft3/d (0.155bn m3/yr) to Togo's capital city Lome via the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). The gas to be supplied to Global Contour.
Axxela has been supplying some gas since July 1 2018 via WAGP to Togo’s existing 100 MW power plant, owned by Global Contour. Since 2016 until mid-2018 it had to be fueled solely with heavy fuel oil after gas supplies from Nigerian state-controlled N-Gas were curtailed. Thanks to Axxela's supplies, the plant has switched back to gas for 50% of its needs.
Togo plans to build a second 65 MW gas-fired power plant at a cost of $112mn for start-up 2020. Energy minister Marc Ably Bidamon said it will be developed by French firm Eranove, built by Spanish contractor Grupo TSK and include turbines from Siemens.
Axxela is the largest non-state gas distributor in Nigeria; it delivers 70mn ft3/d to a customer base of 175 industrial buyers.
WAGP connects Nigeria westward via Benin and Togo to Ghana; but the latter now through partners such as Tullow and Eni produces much of its indigenous gas requirements.