Dragon LNG
VTTI’s agreement with the London-based infrastructure manager will enable it to acquire the latter’s entire shareholding totaling 50% of Dragon LNG, which is currently owned by Shell (50%) and Ancala (50%). This regasification terminal is one of the three LNG terminals in the UK and the news about the change in ownership comes after an active period in which LNG volumes through the terminal increased by approximately three times.
Simon Ames, Managing Director of Dragon LNG, commented: “The Ancala team has been a valued partner and played a critical role in our work to enhance our terminal operations and accelerate our energy transition strategy. They have brought fresh thinking to unlock new opportunities and make improvements across the business. The terminal is in an exciting position to expand its role in contributing to the UK’s energy security and affordability whilst decarbonising our own Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
“We are also well positioned to be part of the wider decarbonisation within the Milford Haven industrial cluster and as the UK’s leading energy port. We work closely with the port, other industries and the local community to ensure we maximise the benefit we bring to the local economy and the broader UK pathway to net zero. We’re looking forward to what we can achieve in the future with Shell and VTTI.”
Located near Milford Haven in Wales, Dragon LNG consists of LNG receiving, storage, reliquefication, regasification, and send-out facilities, which can achieve maximum gas send out to the UK national transmission system of up to 9 billion cubic meters, supplying approximately 10% of Britain’s annual gas demand.
According to Ancala, Dragon commissioned a reliquefaction plant which makes the terminal Europe’s only zero send-out regasification plan,t affording terminal users significant flexibility to reliquefy boil-off gas. While the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected to close in 3Q 2024, no financial details of the transaction have been disclosed.
Lee Mellor, Partner, Ancala, remarked: “Dragon has been another successful investment for Ancala and evidences our proactive approach to create value whilst delivering downside protection for our investors. Our investment thesis was based upon the growing importance of LNG to the UK’s energy mix and in delivering further improvements to the site’s operations and to Dragon’s sustainability journey.
“We’re pleased to have helped the team deliver on this while providing a step-change in Dragon’s capabilities and developing exciting new opportunities for the business. We would like to thank the Dragon team and Shell for the excellent collaboration and partnership over the past five years and wish them, together with VTTI, every success on the exciting journey ahead.”
Furthermore, Dragon Energy Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Dragon LNG Group Limited, has also commissioned a 10 MWp solar farm at the facility and is developing additional renewable power projects at the site in support of decarbonizing Scope 2 emissions at the LNG terminal. Ancala claims that the solar park reduces Dragon’s Scope 2 carbon emissions by around 2,500 tons per year and provides renewable energy to local businesses.
In addition, a planning application for a 13 MWp wind farm has been submitted, thus, the renewables projects are expected to supply a significant part of the terminal’s demand for power with self-produced, green electricity, with further plans in place to do more in the future.
Moreover, Dragon is also currently working in partnership with RWE to explore the construction of a multi-utility services transit (MUST), which will connect industry across the Milford Haven Waterway and is a key component of the UK’s pathway to net zero, supporting the decarbonization ambitions of the South Wales Industrial Cluster.
Guy Moeyens, CEO of VTTI, highlighted: ‘’As part of VTTI’s Strategy 2028, we are committed to expanding and enhancing LNG regasification infrastructure globally. Our aim is that half of our portfolio will be in transitional and sustainable energy sources by 2028.
“Following the recent agreement in Italy to acquire a 70% equity stake in Adriatic LNG in Italy and the ongoing development of a new LNG import facility in Vlissingen in the Netherlands, this acquisition reflects our commitment to diversify into LNG as a transitional energy source.”
