One of the companies involved in the German North Sea liquefied natural gas import project at Wilhelmshaven has announced an open season to fast-track LNG imports into Germany and the European Union.
German utility E.ON has formed a partnership with Belgian start-up Tree Energy Solutions (TES) to develop the North Sea facility and TES has announced the open season to gauge interest.
The Wilhelmshaven plan revolves around the construction of a new “green gas” terminal at the port which will initially accept shipments of mainly LNG to help reduce Germany’s reliance on Russian pipeline gas before a “green hydrogen” solution is safely developed by 2030 or later.
E.ON has signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries to import to Europe up to five million tonnes of “green hydrogen” from Australia or other locations by 2030.
Until then the North Sea facility will have to make do with LNG and TES has asked for LNG regasification capacities, shipment offers or other ideas in the consultation.
“The open season is accessible to all parties seeking to import LNG in the drive to reduce EU and Germany energy dependence on Russia,” said a statement.
Expressions of interest
“Parties are invited to submit an expression of interest to reserve capacity and services for the import of LNG volumes,” it added.
TES is planning for initial capacity to import up to 16-20 billion cubic metres per annum of natural gas from 2025 onwards.
The terminal will be connected through a pipeline to the European high-pressure gas grid.
“Terminal and pipeline capacity may be further expanded through the integration of further LNG tanks and commissioning of a second export pipeline,” it added.
“The expansion's timing and size will be determined by market demand for LNG imports from 2025 onwards, as well as the planned transition to green and clean, hydrogen-based gas,” it explained.
“To help decarbonise Germany and neighbouring markets, from 2027-2028 onwards, the Wilhelmshaven regasification terminal will, as part of the Wilhelmshaven Green Energy Hub, increasingly be reserved for imports of fossil-free green gas.,” it stated.
Six berths
According to the developers, the Wilhelmshaven terminal layout will ultimately comprise six ship berths, 1,600,000 cubic metres of onshore storage capacity using eight onsite tanks, of which four will be available during the initial stage.
The terminal also has plans to offer direct access to an extensive gas pipeline network, including existing salt caverns at Etzel and proximity to the Dutch Groningen gas grid infrastructure.
“The TES-Wilhelmshaven project is unique in accelerating Germany’s and Europe’s plans to decarbonise the energy market at scale whilst creating the opportunity to shift away from Russian gas imports as the way out of the current energy crisis,” said Otto Waterlander, Chief Commercial Officer at TES.
“The open season makes it possible to materially meet the needs of the market and will help provide energy security for Germany and the rest of Europe by accelerating the growth of green gas imports,” he added.
