Assogasliquidi-Federchimica, LNG consumption + 23% in 2020

In 2020, LNG consumption increased by 23% compared to the previous year despite the pandemic crisis, reaching volumes of approximately 131,000 tons. Driving the increase continues to be the demand for heavy road transport, equal to over 88,000 tons (approximately 67% of total consumption). This is what emerged today on the occasion of the Assogasliquidi-Federchimica assembly “Scenarios of decarbonization and sustainability: the role of liquefied LPG and LNG gases”. Compared to 2019, an important increase also in maritime transport consumption (more than tenfold) also linked to the first ship to ship bunkering experience carried out in the port of La Spezia. As regards the distribution infrastructure, Italy is the first country in Europe, with a network of 102 points of sale, followed by Spain with 67 distributors. Despite the crisis, in 2020, there was a marked increase in deposits for LNG-LNG distributors, with an increase of about 34% compared to 2019. And even more the terrestrial fleet is growing with 3,000 trucks registered in Italy ( around + 43%), and 500 cross-border vehicles. In the first four months of 2021 there was a boom in truck registrations with 706 new units equal to + 84%. To fully exploit the potential of LNG, it emerged from the assembly, it is necessary to support the development of national infrastructures also with specific investment support measures. In maritime transport, suitable port tariffs are needed to facilitate LNG-powered vehicles, as well as rewarding measures for LNG-powered naval fleets and the construction of naval units (barges) suitable for Small Scale services and for ship-to-ship refueling. heavy road transport it is necessary to confirm the support measures for the purchase of vehicles (with greater attention in terms of incentive differentials compared to traditional engines), but also the definition of structural measures that have a positive impact on the economy of use of the means, such as the reduction of motorway tolls for LNG-powered vehicles (as has already happened in other European Union countries). For industrial uses, it is necessary to encourage the use of LNG in off-grid uses (the users not served by the distribution network), also with reward measures for bioGnl volumes and in this regard, in the strategy of the associated companies in Assogasliquidi, the development of the production of these products, already available and already included in the overall supply chain, is considered central, so much so that they are subject to the objectives set by the Pniec, in turn recalled in the recent Simplification Decree which also establishes the governance of the NRP: in fact , the works, plants and infrastructures connected to the development of LPG and LNG (and their bio and renewable developments) are classified as strategic, as “interventions of public utility, non-postponable and urgent”.