The government has welcomed news from H-Energy that advances plans for its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Melford, Guysborough Co.

H-Energy, an India-based company, announced last week it has memorandums of understanding in place with customers for 50 per cent of the output of its planned multi-billion dollar LNG plant and export terminal in Melford.

H-Energy managing director Darshan Hiranandani said agreements are in place with companies from India, the Middle East and Europe, while continuing ongoing talks with a number of South Asian companies.

This greatly advances the proposed LNG facility in Melford, which could become operational by 2020.

“This is great news for the development of our province as a natural gas energy hub,” said Energy Minister Andrew Younger. “This would increase opportunities to bring more natural gas through Nova Scotia, providing economic benefits for the province and capitalizing on our export potential.

“The plant and export terminal could produce 13.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year – putting Nova Scotia squarely in the international LNG market.”

Mr. Younger also said he was pleased that H-Energy has begun the early stages of front-end engineering and design work on the Melford project; work that could be finalized by the end of January.

H-Energy also plans to ask the National Energy Board to grant an export permit for the project in October. The company will begin the environmental approval process in the near future.

Source: Release