A Strategic Project for Energy Security in Corsica
As the lead contractor of a Temporary Joint Venture (GME), Spac delivered a full turnkey EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) project for the construction of the Loretto gas station, located near Ajaccio. This ambitious initiative addressed a key priority: enhancing industrial and energy security in the region, while ensuring seamless environmental integration.
Over a period of more than three years, the project mobilised multi-disciplinary expertise and substantial technical resources:
- 60,000 m³ of earthworks,
- 250 tonnes of industrial piping,
- 50 tonnes of steel structures,
- 50 km of electrical cabling,
- Involvement of a landscape architect from the design phase.
The works were completed in April 2021. Gas commissioning and technical start-up operations followed through to the end of December 2021, with final handover to ENGIE scheduled for January 2022.
A High-Security Industrial Site in Corsica
The Loretto site is classified as a Seveso facility and supplies 16,000 butane clients in the Ajaccio region. This designation requires strict compliance with enhanced safety standards due to the presence of hazardous substances.
The previous storage system — two above-ground spheres with a total capacity of 5,000 m³ — was fully dismantled and replaced by new concrete-encased facilities, drastically reducing the potential risk exposure area.
The project also included a comprehensive training programme for the station's future operators:
- 15 operators trained,
- Dedicated modules on maintenance and system control,
- Early-stage knowledge transfer during commissioning.
Most importantly, the project achieved outstanding safety performance: over 400,000 work hours without a single lost-time accident.
Environmental Integration: A Technical Responsible Approach
From its initial design, the Loretto gas station was conceived to blend harmoniously into the natural landscape. A landscape assessment was carried out upstream in collaboration with an architect to:
- Adapt the infrastructure design to the local terrain and vegetation,
- Minimise visual impact from residential areas,
- Encourage greater local acceptance of the project.
This proactive approach reflects the commitment of Spac and its partners to responsible industrial projects, combining technical performance, safety, and respect for the environment and local communities.
A Benchmark Project on High-Risk Industrial Sites
The Loretto gas station illustrates Spac’s ability to deliver complex EPC projects in highly regulated environments. Balancing operational safety, environmental performance, and operator training, this project stands as a benchmark for energy providers, industrial stakeholders, and local authorities alike.
