(Corrects spelling of Total official's surname to Vivier fromDidier)
ABIDJAN, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast signed a partnershippact on Tuesday to create a consortium headed by France's Total to build a liquid natural gas (LNG) import terminalthat could begin receiving gas shipments by mid-2018.
Ivory Coast has emerged from years of political turmoil tobecome one of Africa's fastest growing economies and demand forelectricity is increasing by 10 percent annually, according tothe energy ministry.
"The arrival of LNG in Ivory Coast opens a new era in theproduction of electricity," Energy Minister Adama Toungara saidat a signing ceremony in the commercial capital Abidjan.
Ivory Coast, French-speaking West Africa's largest economy,has the region's most reliable power production sector andexports electricity to its neighbours. However, a lack of newdomestic gas discoveries has raised concerns of a supply crunch.
The project aims to conceive, build and operate a floatingstorage regasification unit (FSRU) with initial capacity of 100million cubic feet that would gradually be brought up to 500million cubic feet, according to an energy ministry statement.
The ministry estimated the cost at $200 million.
"We have the intention to bring this project to fruition.You have set ambitious targets," said Laurent Vivier, head ofTotal's gas division.
Total would be the project's operator. Other members of theconsortium include Royal Dutch Shell, Houston-basedEndeavor Energy, Ivory Coast state oil company Petroci,CI-Energies, Azerbaijan's SOCAR and Golar LNG.
Total said earlier on Tuesday that the discussions in IvoryCoast were in a preliminary stage.
It has said it plans to invest and finance downstream gasinfrastructure especially in countries where there is a growingdemand for power. The move could enable it capture new gasbuyers.
Ivory Coast's oil ministry said last year that $20 billionin power investment would be needed over the next 15 years tomeet demand. (Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly; Additional reporting byBate Felix in Paris; Editing by Joe Bavier/Ruth Pitchford)
