Flogas start work on UK’s largest LPG storage facility
Conversion of former National Grid liquefied natural gas facility at Avonmouth gets under way
FLOGAS Britain, one of the UK’s leading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) suppliers, have started work on what will become the nation’s largest LPG storage terminal, with the capacity to store 34,564 tonnes of LPG.
The project to convert a former LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility at Avonmouth, Bristol, will significantly increase Flogas’ LPG storage capability, improving the UK’s gas infrastructure and providing greater security of supply to commercial and residential customers nationwide, as demand grows.
Formerly owned by the National Grid, the Avonmouth facility is being converted for LPG storage as part of a £40 million investment by Flogas Britain.
Work has now started on detailed design, with physical works expected to start on site in early 2021, and full takeover planned for Summer 2022.
Once completed, the site will be filled and operationally ready by winter 2022, further strengthening Flogas’ distribution network, which is already the most comprehensive in the country, and adding further stability to the UK’s LPG infrastructure.
The project, which is set to be of benefit to the UK aggregates industry, will facilitate the crucial role LPG plays in the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, transitioning the UK’s off-grid businesses and homes from high-carbon fossil fuels to a low-carbon alternative.
The new Avonmouth facility is in line with Flogas’ 2040 vision to build a lower-carbon future for off-grid homes and businesses. The site will be ‘bio-ready’ from the outset, capable of storing bioLPG, a chemically identical renewable alternative to LPG.
As a ‘drop-in’ fuel, bioLPG can be blended with or replace LPG, without the need for changes to infrastructure, boilers or equipment.
Lee Gannon, Flogas Britain’s managing director, said: ‘The conversion of Avonmouth marks the largest single investment for Flogas Britain and symbolizes our growth ambitions and aspirations.
‘It will create an unparalleled, dependable nationwide supply of LPG, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to security of LPG supply and to the Clean Growth Strategy, highlighting the vital role LPG plays in securing a lower-carbon future.’
Paul Horton, Flogas Britain’s chief operating officer, added: ‘This is an essential part of our strategic plan, as it not only guarantees a secure source of product, but also provides resilience for our core customer base, and future-proofs supply with the ability to store bioLPG.’
