ENERGY MINISTER PROPOSES LNG AS ALTERNATIVE TO HEAVY FUEL OIL

ENERGY MINISTER PROPOSES LNG AS
ALTERNATIVE TO HEAVY FUEL OIL

Minister of Energy and Mining, James Robertson has made a submission to Cabinet for the importation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for use locally as an alternative source of fuel to Heavy Fuel Oil.

Reporting to the post Cabinet press briefing earlier this week, Minister of Information Daryl Vaz said the government has begun to explore the possible introduction of natural gas as an alternative fuel, under an initiative by the then Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology.

"The objectives were to lessen the country's near total dependence on crude oil and petroleum products, decrease exposure to the vagaries of the international oil market, lower energy costs, and utilise environmentally friendly fuel options" Mr. Vaz said.

He added that LNG was seen as the fuel of choice that would satisfy these objectives while having the potential to grow the country's economy through improved competitiveness in global markets. Potential sources for LNG include Trinidad and Tobago, Venuezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Algeria and Qatar.

Minister Vaz said Cabinet considered the technical options regarding a permanent LNG importation and regasification terminal within the island.

"The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica after consultations with an LNG project team including independent experts from the Energy Sector and representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Petrojam, the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and the Office of the Prime Minister, determined that in light of all the financial considerations, the most suitable form of technology would be the use of the Floating Storage Regasification Units" the Information Minister said.