The Victorian Government has delivered a positive assessment on the EES for Viva Energy’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, marking a significant step in ensuring a secure energy future for the state.
This new infrastructure – an extension to Geelong refinery jetty, a permanently moored floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and a short 7km pipeline connecting it to the state’s gas main – will play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of life for Victorians and ensuring the stability of gas supply in south-eastern Australia.
Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny found that, subject to conditions, the project can proceed with acceptable environmental effects.
Viva Energy’s gas terminal would have the capacity to supply in excess of 120 petajoules of gas per year and introduce significant new supply capacity: peak supply of up to 750 terajoules per day to meet the daily and seasonal gas demands of Victoria and southern Australia. With construction of the terminal expected to take two years, it promises a complete solution to the structural gas shortfalls forecast to impact Victoria from 2028 onwards.
The gas terminal unlocks a pathway to bring LNG from Australian gas fields or around the world, effectively acting as a virtual pipeline to deliver gas directly to where it is needed most – the major Victorian markets of Melbourne and Geelong. In addition to supporting flexible gas-fired electricity generation, it will ensure reliable supply for the more than 2 million households and 65,000 businesses in Victoria that rely heavily on gas for their daily needs and operations.
The terminal’s ability to deliver the cheapest gas available on the global market will provide a substantial economic benefit, ensuring the most cost-effective gas for consumers and businesses alike. Because the project avoids the need for significant pipeline augmentation or duplication, transmission costs will also be minimised.
Viva Energy chief strategy officer, Lachlan Pfeiffer, says: ‘Viva Energy’s gas terminal in Geelong is a transformative development for Victoria’s energy landscape, which will ensure a secure, flexible, and cost-effective gas supply, supporting renewable energy generation, and contributing to the economic well-being of Australia.’
