Europe’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal launched since the start of the war in Ukraine is running at full capacity, said Czech energy group ČEZ. Indeed, during the first six months of this year, it handled 12 ships carrying liquefied natural gas destined for the Czech Republic.
The facility can process up to eight billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas per year, of which three billion are destined for the Czech Republic, a volume equivalent to more than a third of the country’s annual consumption. In addition to ČEZ, the terminal is also used by the multinational companies Shell and Engie.
“The Eemshaven terminal was the first ever LNG terminal to become operational in Europe after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and significantly contributes to strengthening Czech and European energy security,” said Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela. “I am glad that the terminal is fulfilling its purpose and that the LNG tankers can be unloaded quickly. The gas storage facilities in the Czech Republic are now more than 89 per cent full, even though no gas is currently flowing to us from Russia.”
The contracts for the supply of LNG to the Eemshaven terminal include a condition that no imported gas comes from Russia. The majority of LNG shipments heading to the Czech Republic were shipped from the United States.
In the first half of the year, the terminal handled 12 LNG ships that brought over one billion cubic meters of gas to the Czech Republic, roughly equivalent to 15 per cent of Czech annual consumption, which reached 7.5 billion cubic metres last year.
“The terminal was put into operation last year in the record time of only a few months and we are very satisfied with its operation so far,” said Daniel Beneš, ČEZ CEO. “During this summer, together with our partners, we want to focus on preparing for the next heating season and ensuring the security of our supplies. This will include, for example, an alternative source of heat for the winter, with new gas boilers installed as a backup for supplies from the nearby heating plant.”
