U.S. taxpayers are footing the bill for a “feasibility study” aimed at helping the government of Ghana decide whether to build a ship-mounted liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal. While the initial study will be paid for with a $691,000 "grant," the estimated cost of a subsequent LNG infrastructure project could be as much as a quarter-billion dollars. It remains unclear how much of that amount will be borne by U.S. citizens.
According to a modified solicitation (#2011-11016A) extending the proposal deadline to Nov. 4, the U.S. Trade & Development Agency (USTDA) said the project:
is a high priority for the Government of Ghana, and would help Ghana meet its rapidly growing demand for gas to fuel the country's thermal power plants. Presently, supply shortages and disruptions are leaving many power plants without a reliable source of fuel, and many power plants are substituting less environmentally friendly liquid fuels such as diesel and heavy fuel oil. The project would allow the Government of Ghana to import LNG from the international market to supplement Ghana's gas supply and ensure the reliable delivery of fuel to the country's power plants, and facilitate the use of cleaner burning natural gas.
USTDA said the study will assist Ghana “in determining the cost effectiveness and technical viability” of building such an LNG terminal along with ship-to-shore infrastructure such as mooring and pipelines.
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