Naples, October 1, 2020 – Today, during the Naples Shipping Week, the joint project by Edison and Kuwait Petroleum Italia (Q8) for a small-scale LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) coastal depot at the Darsena Petroli of the Port of Naples was presented. The strategic importance of the investment was recently confirmed by the recognition of European funding for its design, thanks to CEF funds for engineering authorizations. The project leverages synergies between two major energy operators and integrates with existing facilities in Darsena Petroli, ensuring industrial solidity for the realization and future management of the infrastructure.

The coastal depot’s location in Darsena Petroli at the Port of Naples, through the Edison and Q8 agreement, will make liquefied natural gas easily available as both maritime and terrestrial fuel across the central and southern Tyrrhenian area. This will allow the Port of Naples to become a preferred hub for low-emission maritime traffic, benefiting the area's tourism and commercial sectors.

"Even in such a complex scenario as the one we are currently experiencing, Q8 maintains a long-term strategic vision, and this project is clear evidence of that," said Giuseppe Zappalà, CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Italia. "A strategy focused on innovation and environmental protection, with the aim of continuing to play a leading role in the energy transition, thanks also to prestigious partners like Edison. This significant investment in the South demonstrates the confidence our shareholders have in the Italian market and strengthens our company’s bond with the city of Naples, where we have been a key strategic player in energy supply for years, a role that will be further enhanced by this new project."

"Edison aims to be a key player in the country's energy transition and has identified the decarbonization of transport as one of the core pillars of its strategic development plan," commented Pierre Vergerio, Executive Vice President of Gas Midstream, Energy Management, and Gas Infrastructures at Edison. "The project in the Port of Naples is an integral part of this plan, which involves creating the first LNG logistics chain in the country to make heavy transport, both maritime and road, more sustainable. We are already building the first coastal LNG depot at the Port of Ravenna with PIR (Petrolifera Italo Rumena), and we plan to build a second one in Naples in partnership with Kuwait Petroleum Italia, a partner with proven experience in the area and complementary expertise to ours."

This coastal depot project in the Tyrrhenian Sea, one of the first in Italy and the Mediterranean, will make LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) available on the Italian mainland—aligned with European green strategies and international regulations for sustainable mobility in heavy maritime and road transport—at competitive prices. Additionally, the infrastructure, without taking away areas of the port designated for other uses, will enhance the technological standards of the entire Darsena Petroli and increase the volume of port services, with positive impacts on the businesses operating in the area and the port.

Once the administrative process for its construction is completed, the proposed coastal depot will have positive impacts on the Campania region, particularly through the use of LNG in the maritime and road transport sectors. The availability of LNG supply infrastructure in the central Tyrrhenian basin will allow the Port of Naples to become a competitive hub for attracting more eco-sustainable maritime traffic (cruise ships and cargo), boosting the area's tourism, industrial, and commercial sectors.

Edison Press Office:
Elena Distaso, 338 2500609, elena.distaso@edison.it;  
Lucia Caltagirone, 331 6283718, lucia.caltagirone@edison.it;
Lorenzo Matucci, 337 1500332, lorenzo.matucci@edison.it

Q8 Press Office:
Sara Riganati 06/5208 8880 sriganat@q8.it;
Rossella Izzo 06/5208 8203 rizzo@q8.it