After seven months of construction, Lipigas opened in Tabolango, Valparaíso Region, the second LNG service station in Chile -and the first of its kind open to the public- for cargo trucks. This new facility will initially supply LNG to 17 vehicles from Transviña and will also be available for trucks from other companies.
The materialization of this project will allow connecting the regions of Valparaíso and Maule with a clean means of transport, since the first LNG station in Chile is located in Linares. It will also promote the creation of the first clean energy corridor in the country. The plan is to install service stations at strategic points to supply trucks from the north to the south and also expand its extension at the regional level.
The first LNG filling station, inaugurated in 2021 in Linares, Maule Region, continuously supplies fuel to 35 trucks used by Transportes San Gabriel for the service of Cervecera AB InBev Chile and Nestlé, among others.
The use of LNG in these 35 trucks makes it possible to reduce more than 800 annual tons of CO2 emissions generated by substituting diesel in these trucks. This is equivalent to planting more than 1,600 trees and reducing particulate matter emissions by more than 90%. In addition, it allows the acoustic emissions of diesel engines to be lowered by 50% when using natural gas.
Earlier this year, Lipigas announced the development of bio-LNG, a 100% renewable and carbon neutral fuel that will be used in long-distance trucks. The raw material for this fuel will be obtained from the organic material generated by the Chilean farm, MaxAgro. This development could mean a significant advance in energy matters, since the biomethane will be 100% produced in Chile, so it has the potential to favor the country’s energy independence.
The plant, which will be located in the Ñuble region, involves an investment of US$8 million and will have the capacity to process between 7,500 and 16,500 m3 of biogas daily. The start of operations is forecast for the first quarter of 2024.
Moreover, Lipigas recently acquired 60% of Limagas Natural Movilidad, a Peruvian company through which it plans to build and operate service stations for the supply of LNG and CNG in that country.
Source: Lipigas
