Flogas Britain has been granted planning permission to convert the National Grid LNG facility at Avonmouth into a large-scale LPG storage terminal, with the capacity to store 34,564 tonnes of LPG.

The facility, which will be the largest of its kind in the UK, will significantly increase Flogas’ LPG storage capability, providing security of supply to commercial and residential customers both in the South West and across the UK, according to the company.

Formerly owned by the National Grid, the Avonmouth facility was previously only licensed to store LNG (liquefied natural gas). However, the permissions granted by Gloucestershire County Council allow for a change in content, switching the site’s usage from LNG to LPG storage.

The usage switch means that, once open, the Avonmouth facility will further strengthen Flogas’ distribution network, providing customers with “an unrivalled UK LPG supply chain”.

Lee Gannon, Flogas Britain’s Managing Director, said: “Once operational, Avonmouth will be a game changer, massively increasing the UK’s total LPG storage capability. Our investment in this demonstrates our unwavering commitment to security of LPG supply and to the LPG industry in general.

 “LPG has an important role to play in delivering the government’s Clean Growth Strategy, providing off-grid businesses and homeowners with an excellent low carbon, low cost alternative to oil and solid fuels.

“Bringing Avonmouth online will allow us to respond to the rise in demand this will create with an unparalleled, dependable nationwide supply of LPG, while at the same time supporting the UK’s National Infrastructure Delivery Plan.”