FG increases price of gas for power plants

The Federal Government has increased the wholesale price of gas to power plants by 11 percent from $2.18 per MMBTU (Million British Thermal Unit) to $2.42/MMBtu.

Also, the wholesale price of commercial gas has been increased from $2.42/MMBtu to $2.92/MMBtu.

The Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr Farouk Ahmed, made the disclosure in a document, titled: “Announcement of the Year 2024 Domestic Based Price (DBR) and Applicable Wholesale of Natural Gas for Strategic Sectors.”

Engr Ahmed said the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, gave the NMDPRA powers to set domestic base prices for the local market.

The notice reads in part: “In line with Section 167, the Third and Fourth Schedule of the PIA 2021, the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is mandated to determine the Domestic Base Price (DBP) and the marketable wholesale price of natural gas supplied to the strategic sectors.

“The Domestic Base Price at the marketable gas delivery point under Section 167 (1) and other provisions of the PIA shall be determined based on regulations which incorporate among such other matters, the following principles: a) The price must be of a level to bring forward sufficient natural gas supplies for the domestic market on a voluntary basis by the upstream producers. b) The price shall not be higher than the average of similar natural gas prices in major emerging countries that are significant producers of natural gas. c) Lowest cost of gas supply based on three-tier cost of supply framework. d) Market-related prices tied to International Benchmarks.

“Accordingly, after due consultation with key stakeholders and taking into cognisance the provisions of the PIA, as well as the gazetted Gas Pricing and Domestic Demand Regulations. The NMDPRA hereby establishes the Year 2024 Domestic Base Price as USD 2.42 / MMBTU and wholesale prices of natural gas in the strategic sector.”