Endesa Chile to Increase LNG Import Capacity

In order to increase the energy production from its thermal power plants that use natural gas as fuel, Endesa Chile requested recently LNG Chile to increase its regasification capacity associated with the first expansion of the Quintero LNG Plant, going from the originally required 0.5 million m3/d to a total of 1.6 million m3/d capacity.

When the expansion is completed, these 1.6 million m3/d will be added to the 3.2 million m3/d previously contracted by the company. Thus, Endesa Chile will have a total of 4.8 million m3/d for its operation.

At present, the expansion project of the regasification capacity (an additional 4.9 million m3/d) of the Quintero LNG Plant is underway, with an estimated date of entry into operation in October 2014. Currently, the Plant’s regasification capacity amounts to about 10 million m3/day.

Specifically, in the short term, the additional capacity contracted by Endesa Chile will mainly be destined to the supply of natural gas for the Quintero Plant, a unit which has 257 MW of installed capacity (currently there is LNG for the San Isidro I and San Isidro II Plants, for a total of 778 MW).

Endesa Chile has a total capacity of 1,280 MW from natural gas in the central zone of the SIC (Central Interconnected System), 778 MW of which is produced by a combined cycle system.

In this way, Endesa Chile responds to the ongoing challenge of improving its generation capacity to meet increased electricity demand and growth in Chile, by diversifying its energy matrix and enhancing the long-term commitment, taken 10 years ago, upon entering the LNG business. In this decision, Endesa Chile was the only generating participant, and today, along with ENAP and Metrogas, they have allowed our country to save over US$ 3.4 billion by replacing the use of liquid fuels such as diesel.

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LNG World News Staff, September 27, 2013; Image: GNL Quintero