Wilhelmshaven: LNG terminal is threatened with closure for months!

Wilhelmshaven: LNG terminal is threatened with closure for months!

The LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven, Germany's first of its kind, is facing a lengthy disruption. From the beginning of 2025, the liquefied natural gas terminal could not receive new deliveries for months. According to a statement from Deutsche Energy Terminal, confirmed by several media outlets, the terminal's capacity will not be marketed in the period from January 5 to April 1, 2025. During this time, the terminal, which has so far made a decisive contribution to stabilizing the gas supply, remains unused. However, the operators emphasize that planning can be adjusted at short notice, depending on market developments and needs.

The terminal has played a central role in Germany's energy supply in recent years, especially during the gas crisis. Deutsche Energy Terminal reported that its capacities contributed significantly to calming the market and reducing gas prices. In view of these developments, a framework for future marketing is now being defined in order to provide the terminals as a crisis tool. Two additional LNG terminals are also being planned: one in Wilhelmshaven and one in Stade, which are expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2025. But critics warn of possible overcapacity that could impact the market as demand for LNG could fluctuate.

Pioneering work in Wilhelmshaven

Wilhelmshaven pioneered LNG infrastructure when the first German LNG terminal went into operation in December 2022. The special ship “Höegh Esperanza” has since received LNG from carriers, converted it back into a gaseous state and successfully fed it into the grid. In summer 2024, the site will be expanded to include a second floating LNG terminal, the “Excelerate Excelsior”, which will be moored at an offshore jetty currently under construction. These expansions are seen as a significant contribution to ensuring a stable energy supply for Germany and Europe energy-terminal.de determines.