State-owned Transnet subsidiary Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), in collaboration with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and the Industrial Development Corporation, has approached the market for an environmental-impact assessment (EIA), encouraging interested parties to submit proposals for the envisaged liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Ngqura.

The request for proposals (RfP) process will see the appointment of a service provider to assess the environmental compliance and sustainability of the proposed LNG terminal.

This involves conducting a detailed analysis of ecological and local regulations to determine critical environmental authorisations. These include a seismic survey, marine ecology, climate change impact assessment and socioeconomic assessment to support the project.

The EIA process is being carried out in tandem with negotiation of the terminal operator agreement (TOA) between TNPA and Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) to build and operate, for a 30-year period, an onshore LNG regasification facility at the Port of Ngqura.

The appointment of SFF is the outcome of a Section 79 process and directive issued by former Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, in accordance with the National Ports Act.

“This milestone is a critical step toward the development of the LNG terminal at the Port of Ngqura. Through its commercial seaports, TNPA is at the forefront of enabling the gas-to-power project pipeline whilst ensuring the security of supply and unlocking global opportunities for sustainable impact,” TNPA acting CE Phyllis Difeto said on September 25.

The Port of Ngqura LNG Terminal is one of 12 priority infrastructure projects announced in March that hold strategic-integrated-project (SIP) status. The triad strategic partnership is fast-tracking the conclusion of the EIA, with the RfP closing on October 30.

This partnership will also see the issuing of the RfP for prefeasibility studies by the end of September.

“ISA was established to provide strategic, technical and financial advisory support to project sponsors for the planning, preparation, development and implementation of national pipeline projects and SIPs. This project is one of the flagship projects which we are proud to support and excited that progress is moving at pace,” ISA acting head Mameetse Masemola said.