Which country in Europe is planning to install floating gas terminals?
Photo：RWE
The European energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the emergence of floating gas terminals. These innovative facilities, often referred to as Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) or Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) terminals, are poised to reshape the continent's energy dynamics. Let's delve into the countries across Europe that are planning to install these game-changing floating gas terminals. There are currently 33 LNG import terminal projects under construction or in the planning stage in Europe. Below are an incomplete list of them.
Albania
Albania is gearing up to construct its inaugural LNG import terminal near the port of Vlora. This FSRU will have an impressive capacity of 4.5 billion cubic meters per year (bcm/y). The project is on track for completion in 2023 and will be operated as a joint venture between energy giants ExxonMobil, Shell, and the Albanian government.
Croatia
Croatia has already commenced operations at its first LNG import terminal situated on the island of Krk. This FSRU boasts a capacity of 2.6 bcm/y and is operated by LNG Croatia, a company jointly owned by Croatia's state-owned gas transmission system operator, Plinacro, and the state-owned electricity company, HEP.
Cyprus
Cyprus is set to join the LNG club with its plans to construct an FSRU near the Vasilikos power station. This terminal will have a formidable capacity of 8 bcm/y and is expected to become operational in 2022. The project will be overseen by the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA), a subsidiary of Cyprus Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA).
Germany
Germany is embarking on several ambitious LNG import terminal projects. These include three onshore terminals in Brunsbüttel, Stade, and Wilhelmshaven, as well as an offshore terminal in the North Sea. The Brunsbüttel terminal will have a substantial capacity of 8 bcm/y and will be operated by the German LNG Terminal, a joint venture between Gasunie, Oiltanking, and Vopak. The Stade terminal, with a remarkable capacity of 12 bcm/y, is under the supervision of Hanseatic Energy Hub, a consortium of Macquarie Group, Mitsui & Co., and Vopak. Wilhelmshaven will host two projects: one with a capacity of 10 bcm/y operated by Uniper and another with 6.5 bcm/y managed by TES Energy Solutions. Additionally, an offshore terminal in the North Sea will employ an FSRU with a capacity of 8 bcm/y, overseen by RWE.
Greece
Greece is actively pursuing several LNG import terminal projects, both onshore and offshore. Notable developments include the Alexandroupolis terminal with a capacity of 6.1 bcm/y, operated by Gastrade, a company backed by Copelouzos Group, GasLog, DEPA Commercial, Bulgartransgaz, and Multigas. The Thrace terminal, with a capacity of 5.5 bcm/y, is managed by DEPA Commercial. The Argo terminal will function as an FSRU with a capacity of 4.1 bcm/y and is operated by GasLog. Greece is also venturing into FLNG technology with the Kavala terminal, boasting a capacity of 1.7 bcm/y, to be operated by Energean Oil & Gas.
Ireland
Ireland has ambitious plans to establish its first LNG import terminal near the Shannon estuary. This FSRU terminal will have a capacity of 10 bcm/y and is anticipated to be operational by 2024. Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of New Fortress Energy, will oversee this transformative project.
Poland
Poland is actively pursuing two LNG import terminal projects. One, situated on the Baltic Sea coast near Gdansk, will have a capacity of 6.1 bcm/y and will be operated by Polskie LNG, a subsidiary of Gaz-System. The second project is an offshore FSRU near Swinoujscie with a capacity of 4.5 bcm/y, overseen by PGNiG.
Romania
Romania is preparing to construct its inaugural LNG import terminal near the port of Constanta. With a capacity of 8.2 bcm/y, this project is expected to be completed by 2024 and will be operated by Black Sea Oil & Gas, a company jointly owned by Carlyle Group and EBRD.
Russia
Russia is planning its first LNG import terminal near the port of Kaliningrad, featuring an FSRU with a capacity of 2.7 bcm/y. The project, slated for completion in 2021, will be operated by Gazprom.
Ukraine
Ukraine is on track to build its maiden LNG import terminal near the port of Odessa, incorporating an FSRU with a capacity of 5 bcm/y. The project is expected to be operational by 2023 and will be managed by Naftogaz.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is actively pursuing two LNG import terminal projects. One, an onshore terminal in Barrow-in-Furness, will have a capacity of 3.6 bcm/y and will be operated by Barrow Gas Terminal, a joint venture between Centrica, Spirit Energy, and Perenco. The second project is an offshore FSRU in the Irish Sea, with a capacity of 7.6 bcm/y, overseen by Calon Energy.
For a more comprehensive and updated list, you might want to check the GIE’s New EU LNG Map23. It provides comprehensive information on existing and under-construction LNG terminals in Europe, including send-out capacity, LNG storage capacity, and the main terminal characteristics
Reference: 1. kslaw.com2. greenpeace.org3. esfccompany.com4. statista.com5. gie.eu