Stade LNG Terminal receives the green light

After the completion of marketing and approval at the end of 2023, the privately organised consortium, consisting of Partners Group (on behalf of its customers), Enagás, Dow and the Buss Group, was now able to successfully secure financing. The global EPC* specialist Técnicas Reunidas and its partners, FCC and Enka, were finally commissioned to build the future-flexible energy hub in the Stade industrial park. The investment volume for the construction of the terminal is around one billion euros. The official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

It is therefore clear that the Hanseatic Energy Hub will make a significant contribution to Europe's security of supply from 2027: initially as an import terminal for LNG, SNG (synthetic natural gas) and liquefied biomethane. This was later followed by ammonia as a CO₂-neutral, hydrogen-based energy source. When it goes into operation, the FSRU “Energos Force”, chartered by the federal government, leaves the Stade site. The floating LNG terminal has been on site since March 2024, securing short-term gas supplies until the more efficient land-based terminal is completed.

The total capacity of the Hanseatic Energy Hub is 13.3 billion m³py of natural gas. The three European energy suppliers EnBW, SEFE and CEZ have booked 90% long-term. The remaining capacity is reserved for short-term bookings. The long-term contracts include the option to later switch to climate-neutral, hydrogen-based energy sources. The technical requirements for this were checked as part of the approval process and the concept was confirmed as ammonia-ready.

After more than six years of planning and approval, the next project phase for the Hanseatic Energy Hub is now beginning. Enagás will take over the technical management of the construction of the terminal and will later be responsible for its operation. As a result, the Spanish energy company is increasing its share from 10% - 15%.

In addition, Johann Killinger, one of the main drivers of the project, will withdraw from active management with the successful investment decision and concentrate on his role as a shareholder. Killinger will hand over to Jan Themlitz, who, as an expert in the development of energy projects with many years of LNG experience, will be responsible for the construction and commissioning of the terminal as CEO.

Carsten König, Managing Director Infrastructure, Partners Group, said: “We are pleased to have reached this important milestone for HEH after several years of thorough planning and development. As an LNG terminal at a strategic location, HEH will play an important role in securing energy supplies and supporting the energy transition in Germany and Europe. Partners Group has a strong thematic focus on the energy sector, where we have made a number of investments in the last year alone."

Johann Killinger, owner of Buss Group, commented: “Stade is coming! We have overcome all hurdles, especially in the last two years, and are now starting to implement it as Germany's first land-based terminal. For me as a co-initiator and driver, it is particularly fulfilling to make an important contribution to Germany's energy security with this project. I am also very pleased to be able to give Lower Saxony a strong boost to its economic development. This success is only possible thanks to the determined support from our customers, from politicians and administration in Hanover and Berlin and – very importantly – from the region.”

Arturo Gonzalo, CEO Enagás, said: “Enagás has significantly increased its commitment in Germany by increasing its shareholding to 15 percent in the Hanseatic Energy Hub. This is fully in line with our corporate strategy to contribute to securing energy supplies and driving forward decarbonization in Europe. Enagás will operate the LNG terminal in Stade, so we can support this strategic project with all our experience.”

Julia S. Schlenz, CEO and President of Dow Germany, stated: “The land-based LNG terminal will be a crucial building block in the transition to a CO2-neutral future in Germany and Europe. Thanks to the good local conditions and decisive political action, the zero-emission terminal will diversify the energy supply and help secure it in the long term. It offers unique synergy effects between chemistry, logistics and the energy industry and acts as an efficient industrial and energy hub around the Stade Industrial Park. It is these bridging technologies that we as an industry in Germany need in order to help shape the transformation in the long term and at the same time remain competitive - in the future also thanks to the supply of green gases and the ramp-up of the hydrogen market.

Read the article online at: https://www.tanksterminals.com/terminals/22032024/stade-lng-terminal-receives-the-green-light/