TAQA Arabia, Egypt’s full-service energy and utility provider, has commissioned Tanzania’s first integrated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Filling Station and Conversion Center branded “Master Gas.”
The project was carried out by TAQA Dalbit, a Joint Venture (JV) between TAQA Arabia and JCG Oil & Gas, a unit of the Janus Continental Group (JCG).
The CNG station, expected to serve 800 vehicles a day, is the first of 12 stations that TAQA Dalbit plans to open in Tanzania in the coming years. TAQA Dalbit plans to invest $12 million in establishing the natural gas fuelling stations.
TAQA Dalbit focuses on investing, developing, building and operating filling stations and conversion centers to convert and fill cars with compressed natural gas. A CNG-powered passenger vehicle emits about 25% less CO2 and is, on avearge, 50% cheaper than petrol cars.
“We are on the cusp of a transformative shift in Tanzania’s energy landscape,” Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, said during the commissioning ceremony in the country’s city and financial hub of Dar re Salaam.
“The new CNG Filling Station and Conversion Center is a monumental achievement that demonstrates the Tanzanian government’s keenness to provide state-of-the-art solutions and technological prowess as part of our commitment to form a sustainable, greener and economically efficient future.”
Tanzania is betting on TAQA Arabia’s know-how and experience in energy projects to help the east African country to unlock its energy potential and benefit from its gas reserves. Beyond serving vehicles, the company also aims to deliver natural gas to households, catering to varied needs of customers in Tanzania with CNG and LNG.
“TAQA Arabia is committed to expanding its presence in the Tanzanian market across various areas,” Chairman of TAQA Arabia, Eng Khaled Abu Bakr said.
“TAQA Arabia is looking also in adding greater value to clients either with natural gas distribution, conventional and renewable power generation and distribution and other utility services that the company provides.”
TAQA Arabia, a subsidiary of Qalaa Holdings based in Cairo, provides energy and utility services to over 1.7 million customers across 50 cities in Egypt. The services include natural gas, electricity, renewable energy, petroleum products, and water.