TES invites bids for Wilhelmshaven LNG
Hydrogen supplier and terminal operator Tree Energy Solutions has launched an open season tender for German LNG imports through its forthcoming Wilhelmshaven Green Energy Hub, the company said on April 25.
Any gas market importer can submit a preliminary bid in the open season process to reserve LNG import capacity and associated services from 2025 onwards. A binding application round will be held once TES has evaluated non-binding expressions of interest.
Wilhelmshaven will ultimately host six ship berths and eight onsite tanks with 1.6bn m3 of onshore storage capacity, four of which will enter service during the initial launch phase. The terminal has direct links to Groningen's gas distribution networks and a salt gas storage bank at Etzel.
The tender will untie some of the green energy hub's 16 to 20bn m3/year LNG capacity, just as Germany and its EU neighbours are exploring every avenue to erode Russia's market share. The EU is aiming to cut Russian gas imports by two thirds within a year.
The 2025 window will also inform decisions on expanding the Wilhelmshaven terminal. TES said the operational remit of the second development phase would depend on LNG import demand from 2025, as well as fossil-free hydrogen and other transition fuels.
Wilhelmshaven is set to benefit from TES's global hydrogen supply chain, which includes import terminal developments in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the US. TES also has access to planned hydrogen production plants and export terminals in the Middle East and North America, and also plans to produce some green hydrogen locally at the German facility.
In March 2022, TES signed a strategic partnership deal with E.ON to explore joint opportunities in Germany's hydrogen value chain. TES also plans to build carbon export facilities to connect the green energy hub to a CO2 transportation network run by Essen-based gas grid operator Open Grid Europe.