Marine License RNS30 Mar 2020 09:15
Todays update on the marine license seems to me to be very positive as detailed below:
InfraStrata plc
("InfraStrata" or the "Company")
Marine License - Completion of Consultation Period
InfraStrata plc (AIM: INFA), the UK quoted company focused on strategic infrastructure projects and physical asset life-cycle management, is pleased to provide an update on its application for a Marine Licence related to the Islandmagee Gas Storage Project (the "Project").
The Project's consultation phase closed on 27 March 2020 at 17.00hrs as planned. This follows the Company's recent announcements in relation to its Marine Licence application.
The Company expects to receive a request for clarifications from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs ("DAERA") shortly, now that the public consultation process has closed. The Company is prepared to respond promptly to any clarification requests made by DAERA. Thereafter, the Company expects that a recommendation will be made by DAERA to Edwin Poots MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs in relation to granting of the Marine Licence.
With the information currently available, the Company expects that this will meet its previously advised timeframe of committing to a Financial Investment Decision for the Project by the end of H1 2020. The Company understands that DAERA is still fully functioning at this time, whilst observing the Government's COVID-19 advice.
John Wood, CEO of InfraStrata, said:
"We are committed to protecting our environment and delivering a project that leaves a long-standing legacy of a secure energy supply for Northern Ireland. On award of the Marine Licence the Project will be construction-ready, thus enabling it to provide an immediate boost to the Northern Irish economy in a post COVID-19 environment once the Final Investment Decision is implemented.
"We have undertaken vast numbers of workstreams in relation to pre-baselining environmental work. We have set out very clearly, with rigorous independent third-party verification, that our project will comply and, in most places, exceed all aspects of the existing legislation. The 24/7 brine discharge monitoring system is very advanced and will immediately report any breaches of the license directly into DAERA."