Gasunie signed on Monday (May 09) a binding contract for the lease of a floating LNG installation (FSRU) from the American energy infrastructure company New Fortress Energy. For the next five years this vessel will convert liquefied natural gas into gas in the Eemshaven in the north of Groningen. The installation is also suitable for the storage of gas. The vessel is expected to arrive in Eemshaven in the third quarter of 2022.
With this second floating LNG installation, Gasunie subsidiary EET BV is expanding its new LNG terminal in Eemshaven, allowing a total of 8 billion cubic metres of LNG to be converted into natural gas. At the end of April Gasunie contracted the FSRU S188 from the Belgian shipping company Exmar. This installation will also arrive in Eemshaven in the third quarter.
Interest from market players
The recently launched tender for LNG market parties has led to overwhelming interest. More than 15 parties have so far registered their interest in using the terminal to deliver LNG cargoes, and demand is four times higher than supply. These parties now have until 10 June to convert their interest into a binding LNG supply contract. Once the floating facilities from Exmar and NFE are moored in Eemshaven, they will be technically ready, connected to the existing gas network in Eemshaven and then transported to the LNG terminal. Both facilities are expected to be operational this autumn.
Optimalisation
From Eemshaven, Gasunie will continue to ensure the onward transport of gas in the Netherlands via the national gas pipeline network. As well as Eemshaven, the existing GATE terminal on the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam will also undergo optimisation to enable more LNG to be realised. Eemshaven and Rotterdam together will then double the LNG capacity in the Netherlands.
New Fortress Energy Inc.
New Fortress Energy Inc. is a global energy infrastructure company established to address energy poverty and accelerate the global transition to reliable, affordable and clean energy. The company owns and operates natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, vessels and logistics assets to rapidly deliver turnkey energy solutions to global markets.
Important contribution
In mid-March this year, Energy and Climate Minister Jetten announced that the Dutch cabinet was investigating with Gasunie how the import capacity for LNG in the Netherlands could be increased in the short term. Gasunie is thus making a significant contribution towards becoming independent of Russian natural gas.