THE ROLE OF LNG IN SPAIN IN THE CONTEXT OF GAS AND POWER DEVELOPMENTS

摘要

World gas demand is forecasted to have the highest demand growth among the fossil fuels until 2030, this growth will be mainly leaded by power generation.rnIn this period, gas trade will have a sharp increase. The key elements for that increase will be: the imbalances between the production and demand areas fostered by reserves depletion of traditional consumption areas, the new approach to destination clauses in international contracts, markets liberalisation, emergence of new players, and also the reinforcement of the gas trading hubs.rnLNG will play a vital role in this big growth of gas consumption. This will be mainly due to the cost reduction in the LNG chain, the need for flexibility in the supplies, the growing distance between production and consumption areas and also the difficulties that international transit pipelines are experiencing. The paper discusses deeply these topics.rnThe very high growth of LNG trade will necessarily imply a relevant growth in LNG infrastructure development with major increases in regasification, maritime transportation and liquefaction capacity. Data and prospects are examined in the paper to reach some conclusions.rnSpain is one of the pioneers in the LNG markets with a long history in the industry. Currently Spain is Europe's first LNG importer and the third in the world, it has 5 operative regasification facilities, with one more under construction and another one being considered. Spanish gas supplies are mainly of LNG (65% in 2005).rnMeanwhile being a LNG pioneer, Spain is registering a booming gas demand, mainly due to the increase in installed CCGT capacity. In the next years, CCGTs will account for a third of Spain's gas consumption and CCGTs participation in the electricity generation in Spain mix will go from around 5% in 2002 to around 30% of the installed capacity in 2011. The paper analyses the whole Spanish situation and in particular the relation between gas and power and gas infrastructures.rnLNG will mainly supply new structural demand for power generation in Spain; therefore LNG supply is very relevant for a successful electricity generation activity in Spain.