Turning wasted flared gas into megawatts (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Africa’s flaring problem is less waste, more watts, according to Hesham Tawfik Elshamy head of commercial AMEAPAC at Aggreko, who unpacks how the continent can translate its flaring problem into a power solution

In 2024, Africa flared nearly 40 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas, with Nigeria, Algeria and Libya as the largest contributors. This volume represents more than 25% of global flaring and is nearly the equivalent of Africa’s entire annual gas consumption.

This data, from the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Tracker 2024, also found that the global total has now reached 151bcm, which is the highest level since 2007 and is releasing 389 million tonnes of CO2 into the environment. It is a climate tragedy.

It is also a missed opportunity. This flared gas can be used to generate electricity, cut emissions and provide affordable power where it is most needed, particularly in these African regions.

Nigeria, for example, is one of the largest producers of flaring and is also struggling with poor grid reliability, which is affecting national productivity and the economy. Over the course of 2024, the country experienced at least six national grid collapses and prolonged blackouts. According to the World Bank, Nigeria’s flaring has continued at the same intensity despite its oil production dropping by almost 50% between 2012 and 2022, with more than 174 individual flare sites as of 2022.

Africa is the only region in the world where the number of people without electricity is increasing, even though globally, access to electricity is becoming more advanced and capable. The sub-Saharan Africa region accounts for 85% of the world’s population without power. Yet vast volumes of flare gas are being wasted on the continent, often at oilfields located near communities that remain entirely off-grid.

The environmental and economic cost of this trend is significant. Based on European import gas prices, for example, the global value of flared gas in 2024 exceeded US$63bn, and much of this value is wasted in countries with low electricity access. And while countries like Angola and Libya reported modest improvements in flaring in 2024, the broader pattern of burned-off value remains consistent.

Fortunately, this is a story that can have a different ending. Flare-to-power solutions can transform the narrative in Africa, converting waste gas into electricity using modular on-site systems that don’t demand extensive spending into infrastructure, but do add value and deliver immediate return on investment.

Using flared gas as fuel is cheaper than diesel, grid tariffs or compressed natural gas (CNG) and for oilfield operators, it can lead to significant operational savings. Flaring also releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 84 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years. Capturing and using this gas reduces overall emissions and supports sustainability goals across both the organisation and the country.

This also taps into regulatory compliance requirements, which are becoming increasingly onerous and challenging to navigate. Governments across the continent are cracking down on flaring – Nigeria’s Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission imposed higher penalties in 2023, including a US$2 per 1,000 scf fine for routine flaring. The World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative now includes Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo.

Treated gas can be used on-site or it can be monetised. Natural gas liquids, for example, can be extracted and sold, which opens new income streams for smaller operators previously unable to justify gas recovery infrastructure. In addition, flare-to-power systems can energise isolated oilfields and industrial hubs without access to grids or pipelines.

There are, however, challenges. In Africa, insufficient pipelines and gas treatment plants, capital access constraints, fragmented regulation, and market access limitations are affecting the move to monetise or transport this gas. Although capturing flare gas across Africa could yield 10GW of power generation capacity – more than double the total installed capacity of Kenya and capable of electrifying millions of households – it isn’t being harnessed to its full potential yet.

The ’yet’ is important. Flare-to-power solutions are available and capable. Aggreko has deployed more than 500 MW of APG-fuelled systems globally, including projects that support zero-flaring operations in the Middle East and Africa. In one recent case, an operator eliminated routine flaring while powering remote oilfield infrastructure off-grid. It is possible.

Change means developing legislation and providing support to companies to ensure that gas flaring is transformed into usable power and a way of providing electricity to millions across Africa. It is a clean technology that can provide access, cut costs and mitigate emissions, and in Africa, it is a smart way to capture the energy it is burning into the sky.

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Designed for practical, long-duration operation. (Image credit: Guangxi Dingbo Generator Set Manufacturing Co.)

In October 2025, Dingbo Power announced the successful acquisition of an order from a valued client in Algeria for two 400kW silent diesel generator sets

The Algerian client selected these units to guarantee an uninterrupted and stable power supply for their critical operations, reflecting Dingbo Power’s solid reputation for delivering quality and performance in demanding environments. Production commenced on October 11 and has now been completed on schedule.

Engineered for excellence and reliability

At the core of these generator sets lies the powerful, fuel-efficient Shangchai 6ETAA12.8-G310 diesel engine, widely recognized for its durability and low maintenance needs. This engine is seamlessly paired with a Dingbo DB-400 brushless self-excited alternator, ensuring efficient energy conversion and steady power output.

Control and monitoring are handled by the SmartGen HGM6120CAN-4G-G controller, an advanced system offering 4G remote monitoring capabilities and a 3-phase, 4-wire mains detection signal. This setup enables smooth integration with an Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) panel, allowing the generator to automatically start during a utility power outage, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply.

Designed for practical, long-duration operation

Each generator unit comes equipped with a 750-litre base fuel tank, tailored to the client’s requirements. This design significantly reduces refueling frequency, making the generators ideal for remote locations or areas where consistent fuel delivery cannot be guaranteed.

The system is encased within Dingbo’s custom-built silent canopy, made from 2mm thick galvanized steel sheet for enhanced protection against harsh weather and corrosion. It also effectively lowers noise levels to 75 dB(A) at 7 metres, ensuring minimal sound disturbance and compliance with environmental standards suitable for residential or urban use.

Mounted directly onto the canopy is an 800A Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), forming a compact, all-in-one power solution ready for immediate and efficient installation.

“At Dingbo Power, we are dedicated to Powering Your World with Trust and Technology. We look forward to supporting our Algerian client and are excited to continue building our presence across Africa and beyond,” the company stated.