Finland LNG terminal one step closer

Gasum’s plans to develop an LNG import facility in the country are partly influenced by the implications of the IMO’s Emission Control Area regulations that will come into force in 2015, and its effects on shipping. They have identified potential opportunities from the adoption of LNG as an alternative fuel and their proposal involves construction of an LNG import terminal either at Jöddböle, Ingå or Tolkkinen, Porvoo.

As part of the planning process, an environmental impact assessment was required and this milestone has now passed with acceptance of the report by the Finnish Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. The next stage in the process will be to apply for the necessary permits and planning permission and to produce technical drawings.

According to the Centre, the assessment contains sufficient detail with regard to issues such as the environmental impacts of dredging as well as the project’s impacts on fishing and Natura 2000 sites. The report also contained enough detail as to why the project will have no notable trans-boundary environmental impacts. Certain areas were identified that require improvements, to be taken into account in planning and when applying for permits such as wastewater discharge and environmental permits.

The most notable environmental project impacts relate to the construction stage when bedrock will need to be excavated and crushed. This will generate noise and dust and an increase in traffic volumes. The construction phase will also involve dredging and underwater construction that will result in a temporary increase in water turbidity levels. The environmental impacts will naturally decrease once the terminal opens for business. Gasum is expected to make a final decision on the investment towards the end of 2014.

As well as importing natural gas into Finland, Gasum is also an active developer of the Finnish biogas sector. Gasum comprises five main shareholders: Fortum Heat and Gas Oy (31%), OAO Gazprom (25%), Finnish State (24%) and E.ON Ruhrgas International zmbH (20%).