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India to help Nigeria build energy projects

NEW DELHI: As part of the recently shaped ‘Focus on Africa’ policy and to counter the growing Chinese influence in the African world, India is likely to offer help to oil and gas-rich Nigeria to not only build infrastructure projects but also make major foray into the power sector and jointly use the African nation’s own rich natural minerals and resources for its development during the visit of the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma.

Mr. Sharma, who is leaving for Nigeria on January 12, is taking along a high level delegation of senior officials from the oil and gas sector, the Power Ministry and the Heavy Industries Ministry. He will hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts on issues of critical importance to both countries. The move is being seen as an aggressive attempt by India to gain a foothold in Nigeria for its future energy requirements. Around 15 per cent of the crude oil India imports come from Nigeria.

Officials in the Commerce Ministry said that a major initiative on the oil and gas front was expected during Mr. Sharma’s visit. Although finer details were being worked out and discussions were at the final stages, it is learnt that state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) could enter into an agreement with the Nigerian Government for setting up three coal-based power projects with a total capacity of 3,500 MW involving an investment of $2 billion (Rs. 9,300 crore).

The other issue expected to be discussed during Mr. Sharma’s visit includes reviving NTPC’s proposal to secure three million tonnes per annum of LNG for its plants. In return for the gas, NTPC had planned to build 700 MW gas-fired power plant and a 500 MW coal-based plant in Nigeria, and renovate a 200 MW unit at a 1,320 MW plant.

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