Editorial comment
June and July brought the return of one of Europe’s most popular sporting events across the continent. The 2024 UEFA European Football Championship is here, and Germany, the host nation, are off to a blistering start. They opened the tournament with a 5 – 1 victory against Scotland, followed by a 2 – 0 victory over Hungary. Their momentum teetered at the end of the group stages with a 1 – 1 draw against Switzerland, though they succeeded in qualifying through to the round of 16. This slow pace was replicated in their recent 2 – 0 victory over Denmark, which was largely down to a stroke of VAR-induced luck. Certainly, the Danes left scratching their heads feeling rather hard-done-by after a goal was scrubbed due to a toe offside, and a penalty was awarded for an accidental handball. Regardless, Germany are through to the quarter-finals and remain one of the favourites to win the tournament.
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Though football is not the only area in which Germany is making strides, with the nation also doing well in its LNG sector.
Just one example is how SEFE has recently completed its first import of LNG into Germany using its booked slot in Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal. The regasified LNG will be managed by SEFE and its sales arm, WINGAS, as part of SEFE’s European gas portfolio.1 Similarly, ECOnnect Energy has signed a contract with FSRU Wilhelmshaven GmbH, a joint venture between Tree Energy Solution (TES) and ENGIE, for the installation of the Jettyless ready IQuay solution for LNG import to Wilhelmshaven, bolstering the nation’s energy security. All of this news comes as a result Wilhelmshaven being on the list of the priority projects supported by Germany’s LNG Acceleration Law, passed in May 2022, in order to strength the country’s energy security by 2025. The terminal is strategically positioned to import a significant amount of Germany’s natural gas demand and will play an important role in future decarbonisation efforts commencing in 2025.2
In other news, Germany’s first land-based terminal for liquefied gases is set to commence operation in 2027, making a significant contribution to the security of affordable energy supply in Europe. At peak times, over 1100 people will work on the construction site to connect the two largest LNG tanks in Europe, each with a capacity of 240 000 m3 and ammonia-ready, to the grid in three years. This project kicked off with a joint ground breaking ceremony attended by around 200 partners and backers. Besides the German energy suppliers EnBW and SEFE, which have booked substantial capacities at the terminal, the Czech energy company, CEZ, has also secured long-term import rights. This terminal will not only support Germany’s energy infrastructure, but also help bolster the energy needs of the Czech Republic.3
After six years of planning and permitting, the Hanseatic Energy Hub (HEH) project in Stade is now entering the construction phase. This project is Germany’s latest LNG terminal and exemplifies the country’s growing LNG infrastructure. Detailed in an article on this issue by GAC Germany, titled ‘Energy on the Elbe’ (p.14), which explains how Germany is leveraging LNG imports amidst a broader European surge driven by geopolitical factors and the push for renewable energy. The future shines bright for the LNG industry as a whole, with Germany playing a pivotal role in its development.4
Additionally, this issue features a range of articles covering FSRUs to tank maintenance, providing up-to-date insights on the global LNG landscape. Exciting times lie ahead, particularly in Germany, whose LNG industry grows as the nation strives to win the championships.
References
References available upon request.
