Endesa evaluates new gas central and polls the sale of LNG to Argentina
Scan locations to install 370 MW combined cycle near Santiago and make gas swap in the trans- market
The regasification increased capacity will be added to terminal GNL Quintero (ENAP, Endesa, Metrogas, Enagas) from 2014, and has destination, at least for Endesa.
The company is considering a number of alternatives to use an additional 2.1 million cubic meters per day of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that will, from October next year, when the expansion at 50% capacity of the terminal is operational.
With the expansion, the terminal will go from its current regasification capacity of 10 million cubic meters of LNG per day, to 15 million m3/day in 2014.
Jose Venegas, Endesa’s manager of energy management and marketing, said that the hydrocarbon fuel will allow them to have to install a fourth combined cycle plant, which will add to the complex of San Isidro I and II (379 MW each) Quintero (257 MW) and Taltal (245 MW): “We have two full combined cycle burning around 3.5 mm/m3, we add to that Quintero, totaling 1.7 mm/m3 more, and now we has been a small surplus, which is 500 thousand m3. We are seeing a future combined cycle project being analyzed in the vicinity of Santiago. With this fourth combined cycle would, about 370 megawatts of capacity, which is being analyzed. “
Venegas clarifies that the company exercised its option to have more gas, thinking of projects and future needs, and not in the interest of “lock” the entry of new players (see interview). Endesa had option to add 1.6 million cubic meters of LNG terminal expansion, which would add a total of 4.8 million m3 of gas (so did in his minute Metrogas). ENAP-third actor in this pool of consumers-only had chosen in the first stage to 500 thousand m3. Venegas explains that Endesa requested a larger amount of gas remaining remnant (1.12 million m3 of LNG), which was shared with ENAP in almost equal proportions.
The executive notes that are also considering a number of options for future gas use, including establishing a swap (gas exchange) with Argentina, placing it on the market with industry players and other stakeholders, or the sale of oil the trans-market, if interest arising beyond purchase.
“We are interested in swap with Argentina. We are certain that there is interest in doing such an operation, re-injecting the gas network to Argentina and getting the gas in the north or in the south. We have an interconnection with Argentina that someday may be used, and are working for it, “said the executive.
Source: La Tercera
