Tema LNG’s floating re-gasification unit (FRU) arrived in Ghana yesterday allowing Tema LNG Terminal Company (TLTC) to start delivering LNG to customers through its unique energy terminal in the first quarter of 2021.
Tema LNG, backed by Helios Investment Partners and Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), is the first offshore LNG receiving terminal in sub-Saharan Africa.
The terminal will employ the innovative combination of the FRU twinned with an existing LNG carrier to receive, store and re-gasify LNG.
This system provides Ghana with all the functionality of a large scale FRU-terminal but with added flexibility, allowing it to respond to rapidly increasing domestic gas demand with a cleaner and more affordable energy solution.
Edmund Agyeman-Duah, the Project Manager of TLTC, said, “The Tema LNG terminal aims to meet Ghana’s growing energy demand through an innovative yet cost-efficient and reliable supply. Once operational, this FRU will allow the Tema LNG facility to receive, re-gasify, store and deliver roughly 1.7 million tonnes of LNG a year – 30% of Ghana’s general capacity. Tema LNG’s year-round supply of gas will enable the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to supply reliable and cost-effective gas into the Tema power and industrial enclave, while strengthening West Africa’s energy security.”
Ogbemi Ofuya of Helios Investment Partners said, “The Tema LNG terminal project supports Ghana’s ambitions to continue on its trajectory as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa by delivering the energy infrastructure to support accelerated industrialisation. As evidenced in similar fast growing economies in Asia and Latin America, the introduction of LNG into the energy mix serves as a catalyst for industrial and economic growth. The year-round, guaranteed supply of LNG and piped gas through the Tema LNG terminal facilitates forward planning and investments in receiving infrastructure by power plants, mines and industries across the West Africa region that are currently reliant on more expensive liquid fuels. The switch to gas also delivers a significant environmental benefit and supports the transition to cleaner burning fuels in the region by reducing CO2 emissions and eliminating sulphur emissions, in line with the Paris Climate Accord objectives.”
The purpose-built FRU, which was built by Jiangnan Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, left the Jiangnan shipyard at the end of November.
The FRU will be located within the Tema Port, where TLTC has constructed additional marine infrastructure that will allow for cost-efficient LNG loading and re-gasification without affecting maritime and port traffic in the Gulf of Guinea. LNG will be supplied under a long-term contract with Shell. The onshore reception facilities will receive the gas from the FRU via subsea pipelines, before delivering natural gas to the GNPC and its customers.
TLTC awarded Spanish firm, Reganosa Servicios SL, the contract for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the FRU, FSU and the associated 6km gas pipeline linking the terminal to the existing pipeline network.