French oil major Total, the Republic of Benin and the Société Béninoise d’Energie Electrique (SBEE) have signed the Gas Supply Agreement and the Host Government Agreement for the development of an LNG import floating terminal in Benin.
The agreement also foresees the supply of up to 0,5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of regasified LNG from Total’s global portfolio to Benin for 15 years, starting in 2021.
Under the agreement, Total will develop and operate the regasification infrastructure that will comprise a FSRU located offshore Benin and an offshore pipeline connection to the existing and planned power plants in Maria Gléta.
This project is in line with Total’s strategy to develop new gas markets by unlocking access to LNG for fast-growing economies…Access to LNG will help Benin to meet growing domestic energy demand and add more natural gas to the country’s current energy mix, hence reducing its carbon intensity,
…said Laurent Vivier, Senior Vice President Gas at Total.
The new legislative framework fosters the participation of private capital in the energy sector and is manifested in independent thermal, solar and hydroelectric power generation projects. The gas import project will supply plants in Benin, such as the new 127 MW power station at Maria Gléta, with imported liquefied natural gas, on preferential terms and will position Benin, capital of the WAPP (West African Power Pool), as the crossroads for gas and electricity in the subregion,
…stated the Minister of Energy of Benin, Mr Dona Jean-Claude Houssou.
Total is the second-largest private global LNG player, with an overall portfolio of around 40 Mtpa by 2020 and a worldwide market share of 10%.
