Landmark as Gibraltar gets gas-fuelled electricity

Homes across Gibraltar were powered by electricity generated by LNG for the first time on Saturday.

For 30 minutes from 11.45am, Engine No5 generated power and fed 5mw of electricity into the distribution system.

This was the first of the tests to one of the dual engines.

A spokesman for the Government of Gibraltar said commissioning will continue over the next few weeks.

Dr John Cortes, the Minister for Energy, said: “It is a privilege to witness the first ever generation of power in Gibraltar with Liquefied Natural Gas.”

“These are the cleanest, least polluting 5mw of electricity ever produced in Gibraltar.”

“Gibraltar must be proud of what we are achieving here.”

Environmental groups protest against Campo LNG plans

Residents and environmental campaign groups in the Campo area are protesting against the new LNG terminal planned for the Guadarranque area in Los Barrios.

Cooperación Alternativa, Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción and Agaden have led the campaign opposing the installation of the LNG storage unit and distribution hub by Endesa.

A spokesman for the groups said this will lead a destruction of the local environment and worsen the health of local residents and affect the tourism sector of the area.

They have shared their concerns with representatives from the Algeciras Port Authority and are awaiting a response.

The various associations have asked for full evaluations on the impact the terminal can have on the environment and the health risk it can pose neighbours.

They also question the economic impact methane-storage tankers will have on the local restaurants and hotels in the area.

Cooperación Alternativa, Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción and Agaden have asked for modified plans which cater to the local environment and take health risks into consideration.

An increase in the industrial sector is not economically sustainable for the local population, the groups say.

Instead it is only of benefit to big multi-national organisations that are completely unaware of the needs of the local population and the levels of unemployment in the area, they added.