HMGoG and Lloyd’s Register have reached an agreement to commence scoping requirements for an independent safety report on the new dual fuel power station and LNG storage and bunkering in Gibraltar.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo met on Tuesday, July 7th, with Lloyd’s Register Chairman Thomas Thune Andersen and a joint statement has been issued. The meeting was held at Lloyd’s Register’s iconic headquarters in London.
The parties agreed on the importance and viability of LNG as a clean source of energy and for the commercial development of Gibraltar’s port. The move will see Lloyd’s Register complementing the work being done by the Health & Safety Laboratory to ensure that all the procedures and facilities for the new dual fuel power station, including the provision of LNG, meet the best international health and safety standards.
Lloyd’s Register highlighted that their independence and impartiality is a key factor in their company’s operations.
In addition to this, the parties agreed on the importance of LNG bunkering to the port’s commercial development and to the cruise industry. The parties are looking forward to working together to make these projects a success.
The Chief Minister had expressed to Lloyd’s Register his deep concerns at the effect that the presentation by the GSD Opposition of the Spark Energy funded Lloyds Register report has had on public confidence in plans for a new dual-fired power station in Gibraltar and on the development of LNG bunkering. Mr Picardo also restated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the new power station and all allied activity including storage of LNG must meet best practice.
In discussions, Lloyds Register described its expertise in reducing the risks and managing safety of LNG infrastructure and made clear that the report they carried out for a Gibraltar client had not ruled out the plans for a dual fuel power station. This had only related to specific circumstances that had been put to them. Lloyds Register expressed surprise at the political use to which the report had been made.
Today’s meeting followed a technical meeting on Monday in London with Lloyd’s Register experts which was attended by Commodore Bob Sanguinetti, Captain of the Port, Manuel Alecio, CEO GibElec, Hector Montado, Chief Technical Officer HMGoG, Liesl Mesilio Torres, Chief Executive Department of the Environment, Dominique Searle, Chief Minister’s Special Representative and Paul Thomas who acted as secretary to the delegation.
Lloyd’s Register’s team was headed by Angus Fairley, Business development manager and included Leonidas Karistios, Global Gas Technology Market Manager, and Rebecca Mulley, Senior Consultant Environment and Sustainability.
