Excelerate Energy files federal application for Aguirre natural gas project
Excelerate Energy and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority have filed their formal application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, representing the latest step closer in the process of receiving approval to build and operate a floating offshore liquefied natural gas re-gasification facility off the southern coast of Puerto Rico.
The Aguirre Offshore GasPort is a proposed LNG import facility located approximately four miles offshore the southern coast near the town of Salinas. The facility will provide fuel to the Central Aguirre Power Complex and will convert power generation from high-cost, high-emissions imported oil to cost-effective, cleaner-burning natural gas.
The Central Aguirre Power Complex will convert 900 MW of existing power generation to be dual-fueled, capable of using No. 2 diesel and/or natural gas as its primary fuel.
The companies anticipate FERC will issue the draft Environmental Impact Statement in the third quarter of this year and a final EIS in early 2014.
As part of the process, public hearings will be held so interested parties and the communities may participate, Excelerate officials said Thursday.
Pending approval from FERC, the facility is expected to be in service in early 2015.
Woodlands, Texas-based Excelerate Energy L.P. is a developer of LNG transportation and regasification infrastructure, a provider of LNG storage and regasification services, an importer of LNG and it recently entered into LNG production.