South Africa’s state-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has encouraged interested parties to submit proposals for the planned LNG terminal at Ngqura.
In collaboration with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and the Industrial Development Corp (IDC), TNPA has approached the market for an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
The request for proposals (RFP) process will result in the appointment of a service provider contracted to assess the environmental compliance and sustainability of the planned terminal.
This will involve conducting a detailed analysis of ecological and local regulations to determine critical environmental authorisations. The Analysis will include a seismic survey, marine ecology, climate change impact assessment and socio-economic assessment.
The EIA process will be carried out in tandem with negotiations for a terminal operator agreement (TOA) between the TNPA and the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF), to build and operate an onshore LNG regasification facility at Ngqura for 30 years.
“This milestone is a critical step towards the development of the LNG terminal at the Port of Ngqura. Through its commercial seaports, TNPA is at the forefront of enabling the gas-to-power project pipeline whilst ensuring the security of supply and unlocking global opportunities for sustainable impact,” said acting TNPA CEO, Phyllis Difeto.
The Ngqura LNG terminal is one of 12 priority infrastructure projects announced in March, 2024 that hold a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) status.
The partnership is fast tracking the EAI, with the RFP closing on 30th October, 2024. An RFP for pre-feasibility studies will be issued by the end of this month.
Mameetse Masemola, the acting Head of Infrastructure South Africa, said: “ISA is established to provide strategic, technical and financial advisory support to project sponsors for the planning, preparation, development and implementation of
national pipeline projects and strategic integrated projects.
“This project is one of the flagship projects, which we are proud to support and excited that progress is moving at pace,” she said.
