Controversial regasification unit arrives in Italy

Controversial regasification unit arrives in Italy

The Golar Tundra will receive liquified natural gas (LNG) from other carriers, which it will turn back into a gaseous state that can be fed into Italy's national network
The Golar Tundra will receive liquified natural gas (LNG) from other carriers, which it will turn back into a gaseous state that can be fed into Italy's national network. Photo: Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Celebrate South African innovators, leaders and trailblazers with us! Click to check out Women of Wonder 2022 by Briefly News!

A new floating storage and regasification unit considered crucial to Italy's energy security arrived in Tuscany on Sunday, sparking local protests.

Once installed at the Piombino site, the Golar Tundra will receive liquified natural gas (LNG) from other carriers, which it will turn back into a gaseous state that can be fed into Italy's national network.

Stefano Venier, chief executive of Italian gas group Snam, which owns the unit, said earlier this week it would be operational from May.

The project is key to Italy's plan to reduce its reliance on Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine, which has also seen it sign new deals with partners such as Algeria and Libya.

Former energy minister Roberto Cingolani said last year it was "essential for national security".

Read also

Latin finance ministers meet in Panama under shadow of US bank crisis

The location was chosen so gas can be easily transported to Italy's heavily industrialised north, although the government says it is temporary, and that after three years it will move.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

But there have been months of local protests against the project, and a small march was staged Sunday ahead of the vessel's late-night arrival from Singapore.

Opponents say it will pose health and safety risks for those travelling between the port city of Piombino and the island of Elba, a popular holiday destination.

Environmental groups have also warned the project will slow down Italy's transition to renewable energy.

The Golar Tundra can store 170,000 cubic metres of LNG and has an annual regasification capacity of five billion cubic metres, according to Snam.

"Five billion cubic metres of gas allows us to reach levels of self-sufficiency that allows families to think about lower bills," said Tuscany President Eugenio Giani at the port.

Read also

NATO, EU chiefs tour Norway gas platform

Snam said last summer the unit could contribute around 6.5 percent of Italy's needs, bringing national regasification capacity to over 25 percent of demand.

Russia provided around 40 percent of Italy's gas in 2021 but this fell to 16 percent last year, officials say.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.