Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has published an expression of interest (EoI) document to determine market appetite for small- to medium-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports through the ports of Durban, Cape Town, East London, Saldanha Bay and Mossel Bay.
The EoI seeks to explore areas that include the market size, technologies, and overall operating model for small- to medium-scale LNG.
The EoI aims to benefit the gas market, says the ports operator, including potential users that are secluded from current gas infrastructure such as pipelines.
“TNPA’s LNG programme is meant to support the gas-to-power industry, industrial users and the transportation sector.”
The EoI market opportunity is supplementary to the earmarked large-scale LNG terminals at the ports of Ngqura, Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay.
The existing large-scale LNG terminals focus on large-scale floating storage and regasification units.
“The small- to medium-scale LNG importation market has the potential of supporting South Africa’s overall energy mix ambitions and positively contributing to lower-carbon emissions,” notes TNPA.
The EoI documents can be accessed from the National Treasury’s e-tender publication portal.