French LNG terminal operator Elengy, a unit of Engie’s GRTgaz, plans to invest more than 100 million euros ($108 million) to build one ammonia tank and reception and unloading facilities at its Fos Tonkin LNG import terminal on the Mediterranean coast.
Elengy said in a statement it has engaged with the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) to conduct preliminary consultations regarding its ammonia import terminal project at its Fos Tonkin site, which will be partially redeveloped to accommodate this new infrastructure.
According to Elengy, ammonia delivered via vessels would be stored in a new tank which Elengy plans to build on the land currently occupied by a former LNG tank that will soon be dismantled.
Loading bays for railcars and tanker trucks, as well as a pipeline, would distribute ammonia from the planned terminal.
The terminal would supply ammonia to industries in Region Sud (southern region) and beyond.
Synthesized from hydrogen (such as renewable hydrogen produced by water electrolysis) and nitrogen, ammonia is an “excellent carrier” for transporting hydrogen by sea over long distances, Elengy said.
“Upon arrival, it can be converted back into low-carbon hydrogen, further supporting the decarbonization efforts of hydrogen-consuming industries in the region,” the company said.
Elengy said details on participation and information regarding the mentioned consultations will be communicated to the public starting in September 2024, while the preliminary consultations are expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The LNG terrminal operator said the ammonia facilities are expected to be in operation by 2029.
Three LNG terminals
Launched in 1972, the Fos Tonkin LNG terminal has a storage capacity of 80,000 cbm. It also has one jetty able to receive LNG carriers with a capacity below 75,000 cbm.
Besides this facility, Elengy also operates the Fos Cavaou facility on the Mediterranean coast and the Montoir-de-Bretagne facility on the Atlantic coast.
These terminals have a combined regasification capacity of some 21.5 bcm per year.
Fos Tonkin has a capacity of about 1.5 bcm, while Fos Cavaou has a capacity of about 10 bcm.
In addition to these three facilities, France also has the Dunkirk onshore LNG terminal and the Le Havre FSRU-based LNG import terminal.