Clean Energy Expands Boron LNG Plant Capacity to Accommodate Increased Demand for Cleaner Fuel Driven by Pasha Hawaii Container Ships

Rhea-AI Summary

Clean Energy Fuels (NASDAQ: CLNE) has completed the construction of a third production train at its Boron, California LNG plant, increasing its capacity by 50% to produce up to 270,000 gallons of LNG daily.

This expansion meets the rising demand for cleaner fuel, driven by customers like Pasha Hawaii, which now operates three LNG-powered container ships. These ships have significantly reduced emissions, surpassing International Maritime Organization's 2030 standards and achieving substantial reductions in sulfur, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide emissions.

The expansion will enable other customers to decarbonize their operations, improving air quality around ports.

Positive

• Clean Energy's Boron LNG plant capacity increased by 50%, now producing up to 270,000 gallons daily.
• Pasha Hawaii's LNG-powered ships have reduced sulfur emissions to zero, nitrogen oxide by 90%, and carbon dioxide by 25%.
• The expansion allows Clean Energy to meet growing demand for LNG and support other customers in decarbonizing their operations.

Negative

• No specific negative financial or business aspects were reported in the press release.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The completion of the third production train at Clean Energy's Boron LNG plant is significant because it directly impacts the company's capacity and potential revenue.

Increasing volume capacity by 50% boosts production to 270,000 gallons per day. This substantial increase enables Clean Energy to meet growing LNG demand, particularly from key clients like Pasha Hawaii.

The strategic timing aligns with escalating demand in the transportation sector, indicating robust market positioning. Financially, this could translate to higher revenues and improved margins as economies of scale are realized. Analyzing recent financial statements will be important to gauge the actual impact on earnings and whether the market has priced in the benefits of this expansion.

Rating: 1

Environmental Policy Analyst

The expansion of the Boron LNG plant is noteworthy from an environmental perspective. LNG is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to traditional marine fuels, significantly reducing harmful emissions. The new plant capacity aligns with global regulatory trends, notably the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 2030 standards, which mandate lower sulfur emissions.

Pasha Hawaii's fleet improvement, with a 90% reduction in nitrogen oxide and 25% in carbon dioxide emissions, exemplifies the shift towards sustainable shipping. This move supports cleaner air quality around the ports, areas notoriously plagued by pollution. Investors should note how these environmental benefits position Clean Energy as a leader in green technology solutions, potentially attracting eco-conscious clients and investors.

Rating: 1

Market Research Analyst

The increased capacity at Clean Energy's Boron LNG plant signals a strong response to market demands. LNG as a transport fuel is gaining traction due to its economic and environmental advantages. Given the 300% growth in Pasha Hawaii’s LNG fuel usage from August 2022 to April 2024, the market for LNG is expanding rapidly.

This trend is not just confined to shipping; other sectors, such as public transportation, are also pivoting towards LNG. The strategic partnership with Pasha Hawaii showcases Clean Energy's ability to meet large-scale demands and enhance its market position. Investors should monitor how this partnership influences broader market adoption and the potential for similar contracts in other industries.

Rating: 1

 

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE), the largest provider of the cleanest fuel for the transportation market, announced that construction of a third production train at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Boron, California, has been completed, increasing the plant’s volume capacity by 50 percent. Already the largest plant of its kind in the Southwest U.S., the Boron plant now has the capacity to produce up to 270,000 gallons of cleaner-burning LNG every day. The addition of the third production train will allow the supply to meet the growing demand for bulk LNG by customers looking to decarbonize everything from city buses to large container ships.

Clean Energy Boron LNG Plant's 3 Production Trains (Photo: Business Wire)

An important Clean Energy customer, Pasha Hawaii, is now operating three LNG-powered container ships out of the Ports of Long Beach, Oakland and Honolulu. The volume of fuel that the MV George II, MV George III and MV Janet Marie has grown from 526,486 gallons of LNG for the month of August 2022 when Pasha Hawaii’s first LNG-powered ship was commissioned, to 2,115,726 gallons in April 2024.

Not only can fueling with LNG significantly and immediately improve air quality around the ports, which often have some of the worst air pollution in the country, but by operating on LNG, all three Pasha Hawaii ships surpass the International Maritime Organizations (IMO) 2030 standards for ocean vessels with zero sulfur emissions. Pasha’s LNG ships also obtain a 90 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide and 25 percent reduction in carbon dioxide compared to ships running on traditional fuels.

“Pasha Hawaii’s leadership in sustainable shipping has grown with the commissioning of their third LNG-powered ship. By growing their LNG-fleet, they are reducing pollution and carbon emissions around the ports and showing that LNG can work as effectively as their fuel oil counterpart. The addition of more LNG production at our Boron facility will give us the capacity to allow other customers the ability to decarbonize their operations,” said Greg Roche, vice president at Clean Energy.

“We are dedicated to employing today’s most innovative resources and technologies to ensure the cleanest operations possible in the communities we serve,” said George Pasha, IV, President and CEO, The Pasha Group. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Clean Energy to efficiently bunker and fuel our three LNG-powered container ships in the Pasha Hawaii fleet, which are among the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly vessels to serve Hawaii and California.”

About Clean Energy

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is the country’s largest provider of the cleanest fuel for the transportation market. Our mission is to decarbonize transportation through the development and delivery of renewable natural gas (RNG), a sustainable fuel derived by capturing methane from organic waste. Clean Energy allows thousands of vehicles, from airport shuttles to city buses to waste and heavy-duty trucks, to reduce their amount of climate-harming greenhouse gas. We operate a vast network of fueling stations across the U.S. and Canada as well as RNG production facilities at dairy farms. Visit www.cleanenergyfuels.com and follow @ce_renewables on X and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including without limitation statements about: the amounts and timing of natural gas expected to be produced or consumed; the timing and scope of construction, maintenance, and other projects; the characteristics and performance of natural gas engines and fuels; the environmental and other benefits of Clean Energy’s fuels; the availability of environmental, tax and other government regulations, programs and incentives; and the impacts of legislative and regulatory developments. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless otherwise required by law, Clean Energy undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Additionally, the reports and other documents Clean Energy files with the SEC (available at www.sec.gov) contain risk factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240611588001/en/

Media Contact:

Kimberly Fleer

1-949-437-1447

Kimberly.Fleer@cleanenergyfuels.com

Investor Contact:

Thomas Driscoll

1-949-437-1191

Thomas.Driscoll@cleanenergyfuels.com

Source: Clean Energy Fuels Corp.

FAQ

What is the current production capacity of the Clean Energy Boron LNG plant?

The Clean Energy Boron LNG plant now has a production capacity of up to 270,000 gallons per day.

How much did Clean Energy increase the production capacity at its Boron LNG plant?

Clean Energy increased the production capacity by 50% at its Boron LNG plant.

Which company operates LNG-powered container ships mentioned in the press release?

Pasha Hawaii operates the LNG-powered container ships mentioned in the press release.

What environmental benefits do Pasha Hawaii’s LNG-powered ships provide?

Pasha Hawaii’s LNG-powered ships surpass IMO 2030 standards, with zero sulfur emissions, 90% reduction in nitrogen oxide, and 25% reduction in carbon dioxide.

How has the demand for LNG changed according to the press release?

Demand for LNG has grown significantly, as evidenced by the increase in fuel volume from 526,486 gallons in August 2022 to 2,115,726 gallons in April 2024.