The UK’s utilisation of liquefied natural gas will rise with its energy sources dwindling, said Angela Burns, member of the National Assembly for Wales.

“Our power stations have traditionally relied on coal, whose sources in the UK are very limited. Also, it is expensive to mine coal in the UK than importing it from Eastern Europe. LNG is definitely going to replace coal, whose prospects look bleak in our country.Liquefied natural gas will be used to fire power stations and industries across the UK,” said Burns, a Conservative member for South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West in Wales.

She said the growth of the LNG industry in Milford Haven would be a boon for the UK in general and Pembrokeshire County in particular.

“South Hook LNG Terminal Company has created hundreds of jobs- direct and indirect, in the county. Our businesses have been benefiting from the Qatar-led project. More importantly, it will ensure heating of millions of homes across the UK. Isn’t it significant at a time our own energy resources have been dwindling?” Burns said.

She said the decision to tap Milford Haven’s potential as a LNG industry hub was timely and proper. “Milford Haven offers a deep water harbour, one of the largest in the world. It can easily berth super tankers that bring in LNG from Ras Laffan,” Burns said.

She said a gas-fired power station is now being set up at Milford Haven, just across the South Hook LNG Terminal, a joint venture among QP, ExxonMobil and Total. It would generate and transmit electricity to the national grid, powering industries and homes across the UK.

Burns also hailed the corporate social responsibility initiative of South Hook LNG Terminal Company and said it had benefited the local community.

“They have supported many programmes in our local schools. I understand they are planning a cultural exchange programme involving both Qatari and British students,” Burns said.

Paul Davies, another Conservative member of the National Assembly for Wales representing Preseli (Pembrokeshire), said the initial concerns about housing a mega LNG facility at Milford Haven have been “addressed”.

“Yes, some people were concerned about its safety and impact on the local environment. But we have been able to convince them of the highest safety measures adopted by South Hook LNG Terminal Company in particular and the industry in general. They have also realised about the economic potential of the LNG industry. South Hook LNG facility has benefited all of us. Many have jobs and money in their pockets now,” Davies said.

Davies termed as “spectacular” the Qatargas 2 project, which is the world’s first fully integrated value chain LNG venture.

“The facilities at Ras Laffan and the terminal in South Hook are considered a major construction feat with few parallels in terms of the pure scale of physical infrastructure in the global LNG industry. I have seen the entire project-from Ras Laffan to Milford Haven. Qatar’s commitment in developing its LNG industry is admirable,” said Davies who witnessed the inauguration of Qatargas 2 (Train 4) at Ras Laffan in April.

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