- Everything becomes liquid under pressure. This applies to natural gas, and it applies in a more figurative sense to the construction of the EemsEnergyTerminal in the port of Eemshaven in the north of the Netherlands. This terminal, which enables additional imports of liquefied gas (LNG), was completed in record time. It is a fine example of collaboration between various authorities and market parties, under the direction of Gasunie
According to the company’s website press release on October 12, 2022, on 8 September, Minister for Climate and Energy Policy Rob Jetten told those gathered at the official commissioning of the EemsEnergyTerminal, ‘This is a true European effort, to make sure that Europe stands strong against Russian aggression and Europe will become energy-independent as soon as possible.’ The terminal is a new link in the security of supply of natural gas.
EemsEnergyTerminal at a glance
- The project went from concept to realisation in a record time of just six months.
- Two FSRUs (floating storage and regasification units) turn liquefied natural gas (LNG) into gaseous natural gas.
- A new 4km-long underground pipeline transports the natural gas to the existing gas grid.
- This involved an investment of €500 million.
- LNG is imported by ship; each ship supplies about 150,000 to 170,000m3 of LNG, good for approximately 100 million m3 of natural gas.
- The total annual capacity is 8 billion cubic meters (bcm).
- The first natural gas flowed from the terminal into Gasunie’s national natural gas network in mid-September.
- The terminal will be running at full capacity by December 2022 at the latest.
- The terminal is now equipped for natural gas, but could also play a role in the import of hydrogen in the future.
