PLL terminal set to become a bonanza for the state

It seems that the state is about to witness a complete transformation in its fuel scenario with the commissioning of the Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) terminal at Puthuvype island here in January. A slew of gas-based projects are in the pipeline, awaiting the the terminal’s commissioning.

The major projects include the supply of LNG to various power plants in the state, introducing the compressed natural gas (CNG) format in the KSRTC buses, the supply of LNG in 15-tonne tankers to various companies here and areas nearby, the construction of LNG hubs (small storage units of LNG), manufacturing  vehicles that support gas as fuel, and supplying LNG directly to the customers who do not have a gas pipeline connection. The PLL is also holding talks with companies like Hindustan Latex Ltd and Carborundum Universal Ltd for the supply of LNG in 15-tonne tankers to the companies. Sources with the Petronet LNG terminal said that, talks are being held with more companies in the state, that require smaller quantities of LNG.

During the ‘Emerging Kerala’ meet A K Balyan, managing director and chief executive officer of PLL, had said that, the company will be able to provide LNG for the proposed projects in the state once the terminal is commissioned.

The Petronet LNG terminal at Puthuvype island can produce 5 million tonnes of LNG a year upon the completion of the project.

Sources within Petronet LNG said that, even though the company will be ready by January to supply fuel, the end users will have to modify the plants to suit to the LNG mode, which may cause some delay in the full-fledged distribution of fuel.

“We are exploring the opportunities to supply  gas to the small consumers in the state. Industries such as fertiliser, chemical refineries and refractors will benefit from the project once the companies shift their operations to the LNG mode,” the sources said. PLL’s Kochi terminal will have a capacity  to supply 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied gas initially. The fuel will go to industrial units including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s Kochi refinery, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd’s Cochin and Udyogamandal divisions, Hindustan Organic Chemicals, BSES power generation facility at Pathalam, Travancore Cochin Chemicals and Nitta Gelatin India Limited.