Contributing to the growth of local energy systems is an integral part of eni’s development strategy and it is a significant aspect of its operations and business model. It provides the company with new opportunities in the Countries where it operates while at the same time laying the foundations for sustainable development.

eni was the first international energy company to invest in the production of electricity in Africa using associated gas that was previously flared.

eni works alongside the governments of the producing Countries to identify and plan effective and efficient solutions for the development of local energy systems, supporting national companies in the extraction, production and infrastructure construction activities required to benefit from their resources. In recent years eni has experienced significant international expansion, due mainly to its many exploration successes and the strengthening of existing operations. In addition to the keen attention paid by the company to the regions where it operates, these results reflect an approach based on a culture of operational excellence.

This is also demonstrated by the company’s development of modern and functional energy solutions. All of this contributes to making eni a useful partner for Countries fighting against energy poverty, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2013 eni completed the project for the supply of electricity to the communities nearby the Okpai power station.

eni was the first international energy company to invest in the production of electricity in Africa using associated gas that was previously flared. This offered a development opportunity for communities while reducing the negative effects on the local environment.

Nigeria>

In Nigeria these initiatives are part of a Gas Master Plan implemented in agreement with the Federal Government. The first initiative started in 2005 with the inauguration of the Okpai power station, which has an installed power of 480 MW. This was followed by the activation of a gas supply contract for the 150 MW power station owned by the River State Government.

eni also facilitates community access to electricity through the construction of networks connected to industrial plants. These grids serve 28 villages (around 200,000 people), while at the end of 2013, 34 communities (78,500 people) were being served by independent (off-grid) electrification systems. In 2013 eni completed the project for the supply of electricity to the communities nearby the Okpai power station, which is now the source for 26 km of high and low voltage cables, including 8 transformer substations, with a maximum load of around 3 MW. The costs of the project were around 6 million USD (1.2 million USD, equivalent to a 20% eni share). In addition to the investments already made for these projects, in 2013 other access to energy initiatives were implemented such as the construction of electrical works, the supply of generators, the procurement of transformers, the connection of some communities to the national grid and the construction of overhead lines and street lighting.