Minister van der Hoeven gives official go-ahead to build first Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal in the Netherlands

• Gate terminal strengthens Netherlands’ position as gas roundabout;
• Independent LNG terminal important factor in gas distribution in Europe;
• Terminal dovetails with Dutch and European energy policy of diversification;
• Terminal ready in 2011.

Economic Affairs Minister Maria van der Hoeven today gave the official green light for the construction of the first LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) import terminal in the Netherlands, on Maasvlakte in Rotterdam.
The terminal will have an initial throughput capacity of 9 billion m3 (bcm) per annum and will consist of three storage tanks and one jetty. Annual throughput capacity can be increased to 16 bcm a year in the near future. Each tank will have a capacity of 180,000 m3.
As an independent LNG terminal, Gate terminal will be an important factor for the European receipt of gas from other countries. Imports are necessary as Europe’s own production is declining yet demand for natural gas is rising. The terminal will both increase the security of supplies and enable new players to enter the European gas market.
A consortium consisting of Techint, Sener, Entrepose and Vinci will build the terminal. The total project costs will be about EUR 800 million. The terminal is expected to be fully operational in the second half of 2011. The construction of the Gate terminal will also significantly strengthen Rotterdam’s position as an energy port. The port authorities are investing EUR 60 million in the basic infrastructure.

Minister van der Hoeven said at the opening:
‘This is an excellent initiative. The terminal dovetails with Dutch and European energy policies, built on the pillars of strategic diversification of LNG supplies, sustainability, safety and environmental awareness of future energy supplies. The direct connection to the national transmission network will also consolidate the Netherlands’ position as a European hub for natural gas trading and distribution.’

John Paul Broeders, Vopak’s Executive Board Chairman, and Marcel Kramer, Gasunie’s CEO, together said:
‘We are very proud that construction of the Gate terminal will now go ahead. A modern LNG terminal is essential. This is illustrated by the first long-term contracts signed with three major European energy companies, Dong Energy, EconGas and Essent, for a combined throughput of 9 bcm a year of natural gas. The Gate terminal initiative stands out for its independence, accessibility, excellent location, the priority it gives to safety and the environment and the unique combination of the two strong partners, Gasunie en Vopak.’