US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has granted Delfin LNG LLC an extension on its liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permit, providing the company with additional time to begin exports from its proposed offshore Louisiana project. Secretary Wright announced the extension during his opening speech at CERAWeek in Houston, a major energy conference.

Advancing US Energy Leadership

Secretary Wright emphasized the importance of embracing all affordable, reliable, and secure energy forms. He also noted the visible enthusiasm for US leadership in energy exports, as reflected by allies and trading partners at CERAWeek. Wright concluded by expressing his excitement about signing the order to help another US LNG project progress.

Fourth LNG-Related Approval Under the Trump Administration

Since President Trump took office, the Department of Energy (DOE) has granted four LNG-related approvals, including Delfin LNG’s extension. Earlier this year, the DOE approved exports for Commonwealth LNG on February 14, removed barriers for using LNG as a bunkering fuel on February 28, and granted more time for the Golden Pass LNG terminal to commence exports on March 5.

Also read: DOE Approves $15 Billion Loan for PG&E’s Polaris Project

Support for Delfin LNG’s Progress

Tala Goudarzi, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, said, “With this decision, I am pleased to see DOE help this project progress after the regulatory setbacks it faced during the Biden administration.”

Delfin LNG, a majority-owned venture by Fairwood Peninsula, Talisman Global Alternative Master, L.P., and Talisman Global Capital Master, L.P., is aiming to make a final investment decision later this year. The company plans to begin constructing its offshore floating liquefied natural gas vessel (FLNGV). The latest order extends the deadline for Delfin to begin exporting up to 1.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas as LNG to non-free trade agreement countries until June 1, 2029.

Steady Energy, a Finnish leader in small modular reactor (SMR) technology, has secured €22 million in funding to accelerate the development of its cutting-edge nuclear heat solutions. The company will begin constructing a full-scale pilot plant later this year. The successful funding round brings Steady Energy closer to completing its Series B funding and solidifies its position as a frontrunner in the race to deploy the world’s first commercially operational SMR.

A Breakthrough in Sustainable Energy

Tommi Nyman, CEO of Steady Energy, mentioned that the development represented a crucial milestone for the company and a solid validation of their team and technology. He mentioned that they were on track to demonstrate their ability to deliver scalable and commercially attractive nuclear heat. He also added that with their technology, utilities would be able to eliminate CO2 emissions more quickly and achieve a better return on investment compared to nuclear plants that generate both heat and electricity.

Strategic Backing from Lifeline Ventures

Lifeline Ventures, one of the early investors in Steady Energy, also joined this recent funding round. Mr. Timo Ahopelto, a founding partner at Lifeline Ventures, stated that Steady Energy’s reactor technology is based on world-class research and development from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. He added that it offers an appealing alternative for energy utilities and, importantly, meets the tight timeframes required for decarbonization.

Also read: Westinghouse’s Small Modular Reactor Gains Approval for Design Assessment in the UK

Revolutionizing Heating and Decarbonization

Heating accounts for 40% of global energy consumption and is one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions worldwide.In Europe, fossil fuels still power most district heating systems. Steady Energy’s 50 MW nuclear reactor is designed specifically to address this issue. Able to generate heat at costs below €40/MWh, the reactor provides a low-cost alternative to bioenergy, conventional nuclear, and fossil fuels. This makes it a competitive and sustainable option for utilities to decarbonize their heat.