Dutch LNG terminal eyes 2036 horizon as Gasunie, Vopak back conditional lifeline extension

June 1, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

A conditional final investment decision (cFID) is paving the way to prolong operations at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Netherlands until 2036, securing its role in the country’s LNG infrastructure beyond 2027.

EemsEnergyTerminal in Eemshaven; Courtesy of Gasunie

Gasunie and Vopak, as shareholders of EemsEnergyTerminal, have taken the conditional investment decision as a significant step toward extending the LNG terminal in Eemshaven (Groningen) beyond 2027, based on recently concluded commercial contracts for the period 2028-2036 and a government-committed guarantee to cover part of the remaining project risks and thereby ensure the extension of the terminal.

This decision is interpreted to mark a major milestone in the continuation of the LNG infrastructure in Eemshaven, with the final investment decision (FID) expected to follow once the necessary permits have been obtained. EemsEnergyTerminal has concluded contracts with customers who will supply LNG to the terminal during the period 2028-2036.

While a significant part of the offered capacity has been contracted, discussions are said to be ongoing with various parties for the remaining capacity, which is offered on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. The EemsEnergyTerminal currently has a capacity of 8 billion cubic meters (bcm). The shareholders highlight that the need for a robust and reliable energy infrastructure remains undiminished in the longer term.

The intended extension will enable the import of 8.6 bcm of natural gas per year, which corresponds to approximately 25% of the annual Dutch gas demand. Gasunie and Vopak underline their joint ambition to make a lasting contribution to the energy security of the Netherlands and Europe with this LNG terminal.

The LNG import terminal in Eemshaven, which has been operational since September 2022, was originally contracted for a period of five years and developed in consultation with the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth to increase energy security and reduce dependence on Russian gas.

This comes weeks after Exmar launched a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) conversion project, which is being undertaken to advance the long-term expansion of the EemsEnergyTerminal, following the signing of a conditional charter party, covering both the extension of the existing Eemshaven LNG FSRU and a newly converted FSRU.