Seplat Energy to lead discussions on energy transition, gas development at 2023 Africa Oil Week
Seplat Energy PLC, a leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, will be leading discussions around energy transition, energy security and gas development in Africa at the 2023 edition of the Africa Oil Week (AOW) (www,Africa-OilWeek.com) at Cape Town, South Africa.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown is confirmed to deliver a Keynote Address dubbed ‘How Seplat is Driving Sustainability Through Energy Transition and Security in Nigeria.’ Mr. Brown is also billed to speak on a panel session titled ‘Monetising Africa’s Gas in the Next Seven to Ten Years’.
Seplat Energy is a Titanium Sponsor of the event, and the event organised by Hyve Events, will be focusing on ‘Maximising Africa’s Natural Resources in the Global Energy Transition’.
The 2023 AOW, which will bring together stakeholders in the global energy industry, aims to chart the path for sustainable development In the quest to combat climate change and build a sustainable future for the planet, the global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in response to the challenges of climate change and resource depletion is however uneven in its adoption. There are profound and fundamental differences between the capacity of the global north and that of the global south to effect a just energy transition that protects the economic stability and food security of its people.
The African continent which holds massive reserves of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, also has abundant renewable energy resources including solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy. The continent needs to leverage these resources to contribute to the decarbonisation of the planet at the same time as increasing energy security for itself.
In Africa, economic growth and development is inextricably connected to access to a reliable and affordable energy supply. Most of the world’s 800 million people who do not have that luxury live in the African continent. The just energy transition and provision of energy security in Africa cannot be determined by environmental objectives alone. Energy poverty perpetuates economic poverty and the Paris Accord goals need to be balanced against Africa’s own ability to ensure energy security that leads to economic prosperity.
Increased access to traditional forms of energy derived from fossil fuels will necessarily generate more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and this is naturally a concern for African countries who want to contribute to decarbonisation. But solutions to the imperative to scale up access to safer and more sustainable energy need to be politically expedient and transparent, economically viable, to include social goals including ending energy poverty and social marginalisation and to be sustainable.
As we prepare for a lower carbon world, we must balance those imperatives with climate resilient systems on a continent that is susceptible to adverse weather conditions such as floods and droughts that threaten food security.
The benefits for Africa of making a transition from fossil fuels to green energy sources are multiple. Although many countries in Africa mine rich fossil fuel reserves, many others rely on imported fuel. This leaves them vulnerable to supply chain disruptions (for example due to port closures during the Covid-19 pandemic) as well as currency volatility. Localisation of energy supply and production is an opportunity to reduce the continent’s reliance on external and unpredictable sources.
Renewable energy sources including wind and sun are not as susceptible to fluctuating weather patterns as other supplies and are relatively constant. Transitioning to these alternative energy sources ultimately makes the continent more resilient to climate change.
Africa Oil Week (AOW) is the premium and most established forum for stimulating deals and transactions in the African upstream. For 29 years, it has united serious decision-makers across the entire oil and gas value chain to facilitate new business and joint-venture opportunities.
