Lithuanian LNG Terminal Welcomes Independence

The welcoming ceremony for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage vessel Independence, built for the Klaipeda LNG terminal, has started in Klaipėda, Lithuania.

According to the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuania has proved being able to adopt strategic decisions and implement energy projects of importance to the whole region.

“The LNG terminal is important for the energy security of Lithuania as well as of the entire Baltic region. The capacity of the terminal will be sufficient to satisfy the needs of all Baltic states. If necessary, the Klaipėda LNG terminal can serve and fulfill about 90 percent of the gas supply needs of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia,” said Grybauskaitė.

Based on the European Commission’s report on the resilience of the European gas system, the Klaipėda LNG would protect consumers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in case of a possible disruption of gas supplies.

Grybauskaitė added that the importance of this terminal was recognized at the EU level. In the Commission’s European Energy Security Strategy presented last May, the Klaipėda LNG terminal is included as number one in the list of infrastructure projects that contribute to ensuring the security of EU supplies.

 “Until now, Lithuania has been purchasing gas from the single gas supplier – Russian Gazprom. The terminal will enable to purchase gas from different suppliers. Agreement for the purchase of gas has already been concluded with Norwegian company Statoil, and, if necessary, Lithuania has an opportunity to buy gas from other suppliers in the global market,” a release from the Lithuanian President said.

The main three components of the terminal include the floating storage vessel with regasification unit onboard, special jetty, and high pressure gas pipeline connecting the terminal to the main pipeline.

The LNG storage vessel was built for Lithuania in South Korea by Norwegian company Höegh LNG in association with South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries. Lithuania has leased the LNG storage vessel “Independence” from Norwegian company Höegh LNG.

Press Release; Image: Robertas Dačkus