LNG terminal Wilhelmshaven

LNG stands for “liquefied natural gas”. This is natural gas that is liquefied by cooling it down to -160 °C. In its liquefied state, it takes up only 1/600 of the volume of natural gas. This makes it very easy to transport on special ships so that many production sites around the world can serve as sources. Once it is heated again, it re-turns to its gaseous state.

FSRU is the abbreviation for the technical term "Floating Storage and Regasification Unit" (FSRU). This is a floating landfall terminal for liquefied natural gas. This terminal is a special vessel that receives LNG from arriving vessels and converts it back to its gaseous state.

In order to overcome the energy crisis, a floating landfall terminal for liquefied natural gas (FSRU) is initially to be built at the Voslapper Groden industrial site in Wilhelmshaven. The vessel will have a fixed and secure berth at the existing transshipment facility. The supplied natural gas will be fed into the terminal, where it will be converted back to its gaseous state. The gas will then be fed into the German gas transmission network (Netra) near Etzel via a gas pipeline that has yet to be built - the approximately 30-kilometer link is being constructed by OGE (Open Grid Europe).

A floating storage and regasification unit - as planned in Wilhelmshaven - has many advantages as compared to an onshore terminal. Building a floating terminal is fastest. Thus, LNG energy supply may be implemented as early as 2022/2023. Another benefit is the low impact from construction operations and construction noise. All in all, the floating terminal is comparatively space-saving and will be located in a purely industrial area. Another benefit is the mobility. Since the FSRU is a fully operational vessel, it can leave for the open sea at any given time. From afar, it will be visually indistinguishable from other vessels at the oil pier or the JadeWeserPort.

LNG stands for “liquefied natural gas”. This is natural gas that is liquefied by cooling it down to -160 °C. In its liquefied state, it takes up only 1/600 of the volume of natural gas. This makes it very easy to transport on special ships so that many production sites around the world can serve as sources. Once it is heated again, it re-turns to its gaseous state.

FSRU is the abbreviation for the technical term "Floating Storage and Regasification Unit" (FSRU). This is a floating landfall terminal for liquefied natural gas. This terminal is a special vessel that receives LNG from arriving vessels and converts it back to its gaseous state.

In order to overcome the energy crisis, a floating landfall terminal for liquefied natural gas (FSRU) is initially to be built at the Voslapper Groden industrial site in Wilhelmshaven. The vessel will have a fixed and secure berth at the existing transshipment facility. The supplied natural gas will be fed into the terminal, where it will be converted back to its gaseous state. The gas will then be fed into the German gas transmission network (Netra) near Etzel via a gas pipeline that has yet to be built - the approximately 30-kilometer link is being constructed by OGE (Open Grid Europe).

A floating storage and regasification unit - as planned in Wilhelmshaven - has many advantages as compared to an onshore terminal. Building a floating terminal is fastest. Thus, LNG energy supply may be implemented as early as 2022/2023. Another benefit is the low impact from construction operations and construction noise. All in all, the floating terminal is comparatively space-saving and will be located in a purely industrial area. Another benefit is the mobility. Since the FSRU is a fully operational vessel, it can leave for the open sea at any given time. From afar, it will be visually indistinguishable from other vessels at the oil pier or the JadeWeserPort.

The current geopolitical situation once again underlined the importance of diversifying not only the sources but also the import routes. The implementation of an LNG terminal in Germany contributes to the country's reliability of supply.

The European Union is striving for greater independence from Russian gas by increasing LNG imports. By the time the Ukraine invasion started in February 2022, 21 LNG terminals were being used in eleven European countries. Today, at least 19 additional projects are being planned. The turning point in the European gas market is taking shape. The letter of intent signed by the German government and the state of Lower Saxony specifies the chartering of a total of four floating LNG terminals (FSRUs). Thus, the realization of the FSRU in Wilhelmshaven - in contrast to the 2019 plans - is primarily a political project. Uniper is primarily helping the Federal Republic of Germany out of the energy crisis created by the new political constellation, based on its expert knowledge as an international energy company and the leading gas company in Europe. In this context, Uniper is assuming the role of provider and is currently implementing the construction of a floating landfall terminal for liquefied natural gas.

The construction of a landfall terminal for liquefied natural gas in Germany contributes to security of supply. In the context of supply security and price stability, Germany benefits from the diversification of supply sources and the avoidance of one-sided dependencies: LNG enables access to new suppliers and can thus contribute to security of supply.

The use of liquefied natural gas to ensure the energy supply in Germany serves as a bridging technology toward a green future. LNG is a short-term guarantee for Germany's reliable supply. However, the long-term goal of a green energy supply is still kept in mind. This may be achieved by using hydrogen as an energy source. At the Wilhelmshaven site, the floating LNG terminal is to secure the energy supply in Germany during the first phase. In the second phase, an import terminal for ammonia is to be built (2025).

When planning and implementing major infrastructure projects, such as the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven, we at Uniper SE take the criticism, concerns and legal objections of citizens' initiatives and environmental associations very seriously, provided they are presented objectively. All objections will be carefully considered and all appropriate and necessary steps will be taken to minimize the impact on the citizens and the interference with nature and the ecosystem that may be associated with the construction of technical facilities. All this is done in close coordination and with the involvement of the relevant approval authorities.

With its deep shipping channel, the nautical area near Wilhelmshaven can be navigated independently of the tide in Germany's only deep-water port. This means that the floating terminal can be approached at any time by LNG transport ships of any size. Yet the jetty is far enough away from the shipping channel not to interfere with maritime traffic. Adding to this advantage is the ideal infrastructure connection to the gas pipeline as well as the highway and rail network. Besides, the feed point to the German long-distance gas pipeline network and to the storage caverns in Etzel also make the nautical area near Wilhelmshaven the ideal location for an LNG termi-nal. Open Grid Europe is currently connecting the terminal to the next hub - this pipeline will be around 28 km long. In addition, the location in a port area already used for industrial purposes guarantees the highest safety standards.

Wilhelmshaven is to play a special role in the energy crisis. This region is to become an energy hub for Germany, from which natural gas can be supplied to the rest of the country. Thus, Wilhelmshaven will continue to contribute to the supply reliability of the energy sector, with the site handling 8.5 percent of Germany's future gas requirements via the import terminal. Thus, Wilhelmshaven is helping to diversify the sources of natural gas. In addition, Wilhelmshaven is serving as a location for a bridging technology into the future. While the short-term energy supply is to be ensured by LNG, the long-term plans involve green hydrogen energy supply. At the same time, the floating terminal will create and secure jobs and strengthen the local economy. The expected commercial tax revenues also have a positive impact on the region.

The goal is to secure Germany's energy supply after the invasion of Ukraine and, in time, reduce its dependence on Russian natural gas. As with all projects, detailed and in-depth experts' opinions are obtained in conjunction with the planning and approval procedures in order to ensure that the proposed activities meet the applicable regulatory requirements and satisfy all approval conditions. The project completes all the procedures that are also previously necessary for approval. The only difference is that the procedure is completed more quickly. However, none of the steps are omitted or simplified. "If there is a chance in this really terrible situation, it is that we shake off all this sleepiness and, in some cases, grouchiness that exists in Germany," explains Robert Habeck, Federal Minister of Economics.

The current framework for accelerated completion was created by the so-called LNG Acceleration Act which came into force on June 1, 2022. The law provides for new regulations. These will speed up approval, award, and review procedures so that land-based and floating LNG terminals and the necessary pipelines can be built more quickly. In order to cope with the gas supply crisis, the law allows certain exceptions from the environmental impact assessment requirement. Public participation continues to take place - but is shortened to two weeks. Thus, construction of gas pipelines and the necessary infrastructure for liquefied natural gas terminals can already start this summer.

Uniper is the largest German LNG dealer. Germany is already considered to be the gas hub of Europe, due to its favourable geographic location and its good transport and storage infrastructure. A terminal would connect Germany even better to the global gas markets. Uniper can draw on more than 45 years of experience in LNG infrastructure and large-scale power generation in Wilhelmshaven. The use of LNG for energy supply is an established technology that has been used throughout Europe for years. Both onshore and FSRU-based import terminals have been extensively investigated and studied during the past decades.

A combination of four strong partners guarantees fast and competent implementation:

   - Uniper is responsible for the ship/shore connection for FRSU and the approval procedure.

   - Takeover of the jetty and extension for green energy is carried out by Niedersachsen Ports (Nports).

   - The connection line will be implemented by Open Grid Europe (OGE) in the short term.

   - The jetty and port will be provided by Vynova.