Terminal plans due by Christmas

ENERGY giant Vopak will delay submission of its Victoria Energy Terminal project for environmental assessment to undergo further community consultation, but still expects to lodge plans this year.

The company had indicated earlier this year that it would finalise its plans for state government assessment by the end of September but has stretched its deadline to December.

“Vopak’s Victoria Energy Terminal is continuing to undertake environmental impact studies and plans to submit the project for referral to the Victorian Planning Minister in December 2022,” a Vopak spokesperson said.

The company hosted drop-in community information sessions at Portarlington, Geelong and Werribee in recent months but has indicated it wants to broaden its engagement before settling on its plan.

The terminal would be a floating storage and regasification unit in Port Phillip Bay, near Avalon, that would import liquified natural gas (LNG) for use in Victoria’s energy grid ahead of an expected shortfall in the resource in coming years.

It is similar to a proposal from Viva Energy for a gas terminal near the Geelong Refinery, which is awaiting a ministerial decision in the final step of its environmental assessment.

Vopak is required to submit its plan to the state government for an Environmental Effects Statement (EES), which would analyse its potential impacts and be open for public submissions and hearings.

Vopak has indicated it expects a final investment decision during 2024, and for its terminal to be up and running in 2026.