The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)has said that gas flare commercialisation efforts could unlock up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of electricity.
The Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this at the NUPRC/PETAN Energy Evolution Exchange Spotlight at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2026, in Houston, Texas.
According to her, the ongoing initiative is part of a broader strategy to eliminate routine gas flaring and convert wasted resources into economic value.
“Today, we are working towards converting those flares into about 3 gigawatts of electricity. This project is ongoing.”
She also noted that Nigeria is moving beyond merely imposing penalties on companies for flaring gas to actively harnessing the resource through structured programmes that allocate flare sites to capable investors.
The programme is designed to concession flare sites to companies with the technical capacity to convert them into value.
Eyesan continued: “We are not just satisfied with the penalties that companies pay for flaring. We are determined to eliminate flaring by commercialising it.
“The programme is designed to concession flare sites to companies with the technical capacity to convert them into value.”
She added that the flare commercialisation programme is already underway, with clear targets to transform flared gas into usable energy, particularly electricity generation, and aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to ending gas flaring by 2030.
Further noting that the move supports the country’s broader energy transition goals, Eyesan reiterated that gas will play a central role as a transition fuel, and help to balance hydrocarbon resources with cleaner energy solutions.
The NUPRC boss added that with millions of Nigerians still lacking reliable power, the conversion of flare gas into electricity will significantly improve energy access while reducing emissions.
She equally expressed confidence that Nigeria will achieve its flaring reduction targets and maximise its gas resource through sustained collaboration between the government and industry players.
