State and private players in the energy sector met Thursday, September 1 in Diamniadio around the theme “the future of natural gas” during the second edition of the sub-regional summit MSGBC Oil, Gas and Energy – which brings together the Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Guinea Conakry. A growing energy basin, in particular with the discovery of the gas field between Senegal and Mauritania, the first tonnes of which should be exploited at the end of 2023.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Thea Olivier
For the moment, it is clear that the 2.5 million annual tonnes of gas expected at the end of 2023 are mainly intended for export, in the form of liquefied natural gas.
While these foreign markets are essential for bringing in foreign currencies, President Macky Sall nevertheless insisted on the importance of a portion – even a small one – being intended for the local market for “gas to power”, i.e. say so that this gas is used to produce electricity locally.
On the Grande Tortue deposit, which is located on the border between Senegal and Mauritania, it is already planned that “ each country will have the equivalent of 250 megawatts of electricity according to the Senegalese head of state.
But in the second phase of this project, he insists that the share which goes to the two countries must be reinforced for gas to power but also for the petrochemical industry.
This challenge is even greater for the developing Yaakar Teranga project, which is located off the Senegalese town of Kayar. This field clearly aims to meet the gas needs of the domestic market from 2024.
► Read also: Between exports and local consumption, how Senegal intends to use its gas