US-based regasification specialist Excelerate Energy aims to start construction of a floating import terminal off Puerto Rico in the second half of next year.

“The [federal regulatory] process should take around 18 months before any final license to build the project is issued,” an Excelerate spokesperson told Business News Americas.

“We anticipate beginning construction third quarter 2013.”

Excelerate Energy firmed up a deal with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority in December to provide an floating storage and regasification unit off the southern coast of the Caribbean nation.

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