Palermo, Sicily, Italy (Ports Europe) September 20, 2023 – Enel has agreed to resume the Porto Empedocle liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant project, having stopped the project for market reasons.
Porto Empedocle LNG is a proposed liquefied natural gas regasification terminal in Porto Empedocle, on the southern coast of Sicily.
Originally, the project was started by Nuove Energie and and the company was acquired by Enel in 2007. Enel agreed with the regional government in 2009 to proceed with the project. It later shelved plans for market reasons.
However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has caused Italy to pursue alternative energy sources. Rome wants to end Russian energy imprts and develop a number of coastal LNG projects.
The Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore has reported that the Sicily region has agreed to extend the project deadline to 2028. Further government steps are required and expected to be completed. The company may require financial support and investment guarantees. Enel would appear keen to develop its LNG business after prviously considering the sale of such assets.
The development of the Porto Empedocle on shore terminal would make an important contribution to diversifying energy supplies and a development opportunity for the Sicily, both in terms of contribution to the creation of an energy hub in the Mediterranean and in terms of employment and of territorial development, said president of the Sicily region, Renato Schifani.
The terminal
The terminal is to take place at a port industrial area on the southern coast of Sicily. It will be capable of regasifying 8 billion m³ annully. Most importantly, the Porto Empedocle LNG project possesses all the necessary permissions.
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