Japanese utility Tokyo Gas has started operations at the Niihama LNG terminal on Shikoku island, the company said on March 2. The project was announced in February 2018.

The terminal has begun supplying gas to Sumitomo Chemical’s plant in Ehime. It will also start supplying gas to industries in neighboring areas later this month, Tokyo Gas said.

The project is led by the Tokyo Gas subsidiary Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions which owns a 50.1% stake in the terminal. Other partners are Shikoku Electric Power, Sumitomo Chemical, Sumitomo Joint Electric Power and Shikoku Gas.

Sumitomo Chemical’s plant in Ehime is gradually shifting to LNG as a feedstock, Tokyo Gas said. The terminal will also supply gas to Niihama Kita natural gas-fired thermal power plant that is being built by Sumitomo Joint Electric Power.

The use of gas in Ehime plant, in the industries and the power plant is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 650,000 metric tons/yr in the future, Tokyo Gas said.