EemsEnergyTerminal launches open season to gauge operational future

EemsEnergyTerminal has entered an important new phase in determining whether the floating LNG terminal at the port of Eemshaven will be kept in operation for a longer period. An Open Season has launched to gauge the interest of market parties in the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the near future. Such collaboration is essential for keeping the terminal operational after 2027. A final decision on this is expected at the end of this year.

In the summer of 2024, Gasunie and Vopak, each with a 50% stake in the EemsEnergyTerminal, together with the Dutch Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth (formerly the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy), announced that they would look into the possibility of keeping the terminal in operation longer. The terminal was developed in September 2022 to increase energy security in the Netherlands and north-western Europe immediately following the loss of Russian gas supplies and was originally planned to run up to the end of 2027.

Hydrogen and CO2 developments. In addition to the extension of the EemsEnergyTerminal, Gasunie and Vopak are jointly investigating the possibilities for building a hydrogen import terminal and developing a CO₂ transport hub at the port of Eemshaven.

Energy security. Energy security in the Netherlands and surrounding countries has changed considerably in recent years. Energy-saving measures and increased energy efficiency have led to a gradual decrease in gas consumption. However, gas still plays an important role in our society, for generating electricity, for example (especially to cover periods with little sun and wind), as well as for heating homes and for heat used by industry. The Netherlands and other European countries will continue to be largely dependent on gas imports in the coming years. Given this fact, having sufficient LNG import capacity, extracting gas in the Netherlands and ensuring a sufficient pipeline gas supply, including through cross-border network interconnections, is important for maintaining energy security.

Final decision. The final decision on the future of EemsEnergyTerminal in terms of extension and investment is expected to be made toward the end of 2025. New customer contracts could possibly come into effect from the end of 2027.