Eni and Snam signed on Thursday a framework agreement for the development of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations in Italy, as part of a wider set of initiatives to promote sustainable mobility.
The duo aims at developing CNG and LNG plants within Eni’s national network of stations, favouring the supply of low-emission alternative fuels such as natural gas, according to a joint statement.
Natural gas eliminates particulate matter, the most polluting element in urban areas, and ensures considerable economic advantages to customers, the statement reads.
The framework agreement is part of Snam’s initiatives to promote sustainable mobility, with an investment of 150 million euro by 2021 to roll-out up to 300 new CNG service stations in order to support the development and a more balanced distribution of natural gas fuelling stations in different regions across the country.
Through this initiative Eni intends to further strengthen its offer for sustainable mobility. At present approximately 1,000 of Eni’s stations deliver LPG and methane (including 2 LNG and 180 CNG), while the remaining 3,500 deliver Eni Diesel+, its premium diesel with 15% renewable content produced from vegetable oils at its Venice biorefinery.
Italy is the leading European market for natural gas consumption for vehicles, with over 1 billion cubic meters consumed in 2015 and about 1 million vehicles currently in circulation, according to the statement.
The deal and the subsequent contracts for the implementation of the initiative will provide a further boost to the natural gas industry from the transport sector, which is globally recognized for its technological and environmental excellence, and is able to leverage Europe’s largest gas pipeline network, the statement said.