Italian energy groups Sorgenia and Iren to build large LNG terminal

Sorgenia and Iren are preparing to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in southern Italy
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"If the authorities decide to speed things up, the factory could be built within four years," Sorgenia Chief Executive Gianfilippo Mancini told Reuters in emailed comments
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The terminal will be built at the port of Giorgio Tauro in southern Italy and is designed to handle 12 billion cubic meters of LNG
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A spokesman for the Italian regional utility said: "Iren is ready to provide the resources and skills to help build the terminal
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The project, jointly owned by Sorgenia and Iren, completed the permitting process a few years ago before going into standby

"We are working with the authorities to see if the permit is confirmed," an Iren spokesman said

Italy's complicated licensing process has effectively halted the development of LNG facilities beyond the three existing plants, which currently account for around 20% of daily imports

Earlier on Tuesday, top utility Enel said it was ready to implement plans to build an LNG terminal