Congo’s Gas Revolution: New Master Plan, Gas-to-Power Projects Support Energy Expansion

The Republic of Congo’s national oil company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), is set to unveil its Gas Master Plan during African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 in Cape Town this November. The plan aims to advance the country’s gas monetization agenda by catalyzing new infrastructure development, including gas pipelines, processing facilities and gas-to-power plants. The plan also seeks to reduce energy imports and raise electricity access, currently at 50%.  With significant untapped gas reserves and a pressing need for reliable power, the Congo is rolling out key projects to create jobs, increase power generation capacity and drive economic growth.

Expanded Gas Supplies

The Republic of Congo holds significant natural gas reserves, estimated at 10 trillion cubic feet. While the country has traditionally relied on crude oil production, natural gas – particularly associated gas produced along with crude oil – represents a pathway to new export revenues and enhanced energy security.

Eni, a major player in the Congo’s gas sector, is currently leading large-scale gas monetization in the Marine XII block. In February 2024, the company exported its first LNG shipment to Italy from one of two planned Congo floating LNG units, located 3 km offshore, with a total annual capacity of 4.5 billion cubic meters. Additional gas reserves from Marine VI Bis, Marine XXIV and Marine XXXI blocks, currently under exploration, will further boost supply.

Among other international operators active in the Republic of Congo, oil major TotalEnergies plans to invest $600 million in its Moho Nord field by the end of 2024, targeting an increase in oil output by 40,000 barrels per day and monetizing associated gas. TotalEnergies is also focusing on exploration in the Marine XX permit, anticipating new discoveries by year-end following the arrival of two drilling rigs in May 2024. 

Additionally, independent operator Perenco’s MOPU Tchendo 2 has begun generating power from three newly installed gas turbines. With a combined output of 27 MW, the three turbines, fueled by up to 10 million cubic feet of gas per day, are powering operations, freeing up part of the Congo’s energy network for local use. Perenco is set to start seismic activity on its Tchibouela II, Tchendo II, Marine XXVIII, and Emeraude permits.

Meanwhile, Chinese operator Wing Wah is developing the onshore Banga Kayo block to capture previously flared gas for domestic use. The first phase aims to produce one million m³ of gas per day by the end of 2024, with production set to multiply five-fold by 2025. These developments help ensure a stable gas supply for the Congo and support future gas-to-power projects. 

Gas-to-Power Projects

In June 2024, the World Bank provided $100 million in funding to improve electricity access in the Republic of Congo, prompting the government to expand existing gas-to-power plants to meet the country’s growing energy demand, which is expected to reach 900 MW by 2025. 

Key recipients of this strategy are the Centrale électrique du Congo (CEC) and Centrale électrique du Djéno (CED) gas-fired power plants. The CEC plant, which utilizes natural gas from the Marine XII block, currently operates with two turbines and plans to add a third, transitioning to a combined cycle by 2025. The CED plant will also expand from 50 MW to 100 MW by 2025. As part of its Integrated Energy Access Project, Eni aims to raise energy access for the local population by increasing gas supplies to the CEC and CED plants, as well as upgrading the electric transmission infrastructure in the area and expanding gas distribution. The installation of a 1,000 MW gas power plant is also being discussed by the Congolese government and Chinese developers, part of which could supply electricity to the Pointe-Noire Special Economic Zone. 

The Republic of Congo’s gas-to-power developments promise significant socioeconomic benefits, particularly through job creation across construction, infrastructure, plant operations and energy sectors. Increased power generation will also fuel industrial growth, helping to expand manufacturing, mining and services that have long struggled with power shortages and high energy costs. Reliable and affordable electricity will boost the competitiveness of these industries and attract new businesses, driving overall economic growth in the Congo.

The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025 in Brazzaville, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.