The government says Antigua and Barbuda remains on track to receive its first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) within the next 30 days following the successful conclusion of negotiations between key stakeholders and continued progress on dredging works at Crabs Harbour.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant provided the update Thursday during the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing when asked whether Cabinet had discussed the status of the long-awaited LNG project.

Merchant said Cabinet received a brief update indicating that the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and the companies involved in the LNG project have reached an agreement, clearing the way for the next phase of implementation.

“The Cabinet was advised briefly that APUA and the folks for the LNG out of North America and locally here in Antigua and Barbuda have reached an agreement,” Merchant said.

He said work is continuing at Crabs Harbour, where dredging operations are progressing rapidly to prepare the port for the arrival of LNG vessels.

“The dredging of the Crabs Harbour is continuing at a fast pace and this should facilitate the arrival of the first ship with LNG to start operations of the plant there at Crabs,” Merchant said.

According to Merchant, the project remains on schedule and the timeline previously announced by Prime Minister Gaston Browne has not changed.

“And so the 30-day timeline given by the Prime Minister should be met,” he said.

Prime Minister Browne had previously indicated that the first LNG shipment was expected within approximately one month as Antigua and Barbuda moves to introduce liquefied natural gas into its electricity generation mix.

The transition to LNG is expected to reduce dependence on traditional petroleum fuels while improving the efficiency of electricity generation and helping to stabilize long-term energy costs.

Merchant did not disclose when the first shipment is expected to arrive within the 30-day window or provide additional details on the agreement reached between APUA and the LNG suppliers. However, he said the latest update indicates that preparations remain on track for the commencement of operations at the Crabs Harbour facility.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Government Says First LNG Shipment Still Expected Within 30 Days.