In 2019, NextDecade won approval from the US FERC to build the LNG terminal with up to five trains by November 2026.
After that, NextDecade secured a two-year extension from FERC in 2022.
Last month, Rio Grande LNG told FERC in its extension request that, given “intervening events”, substantial completion of Train 1 is not anticipated until the fourth quarter of 2027, and the four remaining Trains will be brought online sequentially thereafter, with Train 5 scheduled to be placed in service in the second quarter of 2031.
On April 30, 2026 the Commission issued public notice of the Rio Grande entities’ request for an extension of time, with interventions, comments, and protests due May 15, 2026.
FERC said in its decision on May 26 that no comments, interventions, or protests were filed.
“Based on the facts presented in the request and the case record, the Rio Grande entities are granted an extension of time until and including November 22, 2031 to complete construction of its Rio Grande LNG terminal and make it available for service,” the regulator said.
In July 2023, NextDecade took the final investment decision on the first three Rio Grande LNG trains.
In September and October last year, NextDecade made the final investment decisions on the fourth and fifth trains at its Rio Grande LNG facility.
This brings the total expected LNG production capacity under construction at Rio Grande LNG to approximately 30 mtpa.
NextDecade expects the facility to receive first gas by the end of this year and start shipping LNG produced at the first train in the first half of 2027.
