The opening of a new Shell liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in Gibraltar has seen the British overseas territory transition from diesel power.
Construction on the newly commissioned 80-megawatt (MW) gas terminal was recently completed by Shell and Gasnor, a 100% Shell-owned subsidiary.
The creation of the terminal is part of a deal agreed between Shell and Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar in 2016.
Gasnor will act as operator of the new LNG terminal.
Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar’s chief minister, said: “I am immensely proud that, under this government, we have made the crucial switch to cleaner power generation.
“Instead of using old technology up on the skyline of the Rock, we can now look forward to at least 20 years of clean, safe, gas-fired power generation from the port.
“This is a wonderful step-change in technology.”
Shell said LNG will be delivered to the terminal by ship twice a month and at night, minimising disruption to the neighbouring port and airport.
It will be stored in five double-walled stainless-steel tanks, each able to hold 1,000 cubic metres of LNG.
Maarten Wetselaar, integrated gas and new energies director for Shell, said: “I would like to congratulate Gibraltar on bringing its vision of a cleaner energy system to reality.
“Delivering this project is a tangible example of Shell’s strategy to provide more and cleaner energy. We believe that projects like this can offer real benefits elsewhere in the world.”