Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal commences regular operations

Germany-based energy company Uniper has reported that, on 28 February 2023, the final acceptance audit took place at the Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal allowing for the start of regular operations as of 1 March 2023.

The audit was made by the responsible authorities under the leadership of the Oldenburg State Trade Supervisory Office (GAA Oldenburg), and according to Uniper, the acceptance took place without any objections.

The facility, built by Uniper, started operations in December 2022 (initially in trial operation), and according to Uniper, since then, one LNG tanker is unloaded every week, and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) is regasified at the FSRU ‘Höegh Esperanza’ and injected into the natural gas grid from there.

The company said that around 6% of Germany’s gas demand can be met via the terminal, and Uniper, as its installer and operator, will continue to play a key role in ensuring that there are no gas shortages in Germany in the future, especially in the coming winter of 2023/24.

The commercial operation at the terminal started on January 15, 2023, and since then, the federal government company Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH (DET) assumed the role of plant operator and permit holder. LNG Terminal Wilhelmshaven GmbH (LTeW) took over the task of technical and commercial management of the terminal on behalf of DET.