Germany’s first land-based terminal for liquefied gases proceeds to next phase with FID in place

Hanseatic Energy Hub (HEH), Germany’s first land-based terminal for liquefied gases in Stade, has reached the final investment decision (FID) and is preparing for the official groundbreaking ceremony.

Following the end of the permitting and commercial phase in late 2023, the HEH partners Enagás, Dow, and the Buss Group have now secured financing for the large-scale infrastructure project for which the groundbreaking ceremony will be held in the coming weeks.

The future-flexible energy hub at the Stade Industrial Park will be built by a consortium led by Spain-based engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) specialist Técnicas Reunidas.

Around €1 billion will be invested in the construction of the terminal which is scheduled for commissioning in 2027.

Initially, the HEH will serve as an import terminal for LNG, synthetic natural gas, and liquefied biomethane and, subsequently, for ammonia, as a carbon-neutral, hydrogen-based energy carrier. Once the HEH enters into service, the FSRU Energos Force chartered by Germany’s federal government will set sail from Stade. The floating LNG terminal, which has been on site since March 2024, will continue securing the gas supply in the short term until the land-based terminal is completed.

The energy hub will have a total capacity of 13.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, with 90% of this volume booked long-term by three European energy majors EnBW, SEFE, and ČEZ. The remaining capacity is reserved for short-term bookings. Long-term contracts include the option to switch to hydrogen-based energy carriers at a later stage as the terminal has been certified by permitting bodies as being ammonia-ready.

The project partner Enagás is providing the technical direction of the construction and will also be the terminal operator. Additionally, the Spanish energy company is increasing its share from 10% to 15%.

Johann Killinger, Owner of the Buss Group, is stepping down from the management team following the investment decision. He will now focus on his role as a shareholder, handing over to Jan Themlitz the CEO’s responsibilities for constructing and commissioning the terminal.

Carsten Koenig, Managing Director Infrastructure, Partners Group, said: “We are pleased to reach this important milestone for HEH, after several years of thorough planning and development. As an LNG terminal in a strategic location, HEH will play a significant role in securing the energy supply and supporting the energy transition in both Germany and wider Europe in the future. Partners Group has a strong thematic focus on the energy transition sector, where we have made a number of investments over the last year alone.”

Arturo Gonzalo, CEO of Enagás, commented: “Enagás has strengthened its entry into Germany by increasing its stake in the Hanseatic Energy Hub, up to 15 per cent, which is fully aligned with the company’s strategy to contribute to the security of energy supply and to drive the process of decarbonisation in Europe. Enagás will operate the Stade LNG terminal allowing us to support this strategic project with all our broad expertise.”