Antigua and Barbuda is expected to receive its first shipment of liquefied natural gas before the end of 2026, following the completion of dredging work at the Crabbes terminal, Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas said.
Nicholas said the channel leading to the terminal has been dredged to a depth of 6.5 metres, which officials consider sufficient to accommodate the vessel expected to transport the fuel.
“We have been able to achieve an acceptable depth of 6.5 metres,” Nicholas said.
The completed dredging removes a major infrastructure obstacle to the introduction of LNG as part of the country’s electricity-generation system.
Nicholas said officials are now working toward having the first shipment arrive before year-end. LNG is expected to form part of a broader hybrid energy system combining conventional generation, renewable energy and battery storage.
The government has promoted LNG as a potentially cleaner and more efficient alternative to the diesel and heavy fuel oil currently used for much of Antigua’s electricity production.
The planned shipment comes as the Antigua Public Utilities Authority faces sharply higher fuel expenses. APUA reported that its monthly fuel bill increased from EC$11 million in January to EC$21.8 million in July, placing pressure on the authority and electricity customers.
Officials have attributed the increase largely to volatility in international energy markets and geopolitical tensions affecting global fuel prices.
The higher costs contributed to increases in the fuel variation charge applied to customers’ electricity bills. APUA said the calculated rate reached 88 cents during parts of the year, although the authority initially charged consumers less than the full amount in an effort to cushion the impact.
Nicholas said the surge in fuel costs underscored Antigua and Barbuda’s vulnerability as a country heavily dependent on imported petroleum products.
The government is also pursuing several renewable-energy developments, including a proposed 55-megawatt solar facility at Potworks Dam, an approximately five-megawatt wind project and additional solar facilities equipped with battery storage.
Officials have said LNG would not replace renewable energy but would provide a more stable source of generation when solar and wind power are unavailable.
The expected arrival of the first shipment would therefore mark a significant step in plans to diversify Antigua and Barbuda’s energy supply and reduce its exposure to fluctuations in the international oil market.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: First LNG Shipment Expected at Crabbes Before End of 2026.