German energy company to import 3-bcmy LNG through Stade terminal

EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG will import 3 billion cu m/year (bcmy) of LNG via the 12-bcmy Hanseatic Energy Hub (HEH) in Stade, Germany, beginning with the terminal’s commissioning. EnBW also will have the option to switch to ammonia as a hydrogen-based energy source via the terminal at a later date, an option open to all terminal customers with a contract longer than 10 years.

HEH, a consortium of Fluxys, Partners Group Holding AG, Buss Group GMBH & Co. KG, and Dow Chemical Co., plans to reach a final investment decision on the project in 2023 and start terminal operations in 2026 (OGJ Online, Aug. 1, 2022).

The hub’s terminal, port, industrial park, and connecting infrastructure were designed to facilitate the energy transition, according to EnBW. Main tanks, pipelines, and other immovable parts will be commissioned ammonia-ready and foundations are already structurally designed to support a higher load. Additional space has also been reserved in the industrial park for separate ammonia tanks to support market ramp-up, EnBW said.

EnBW described the agreement as part of its efforts to become “climate neutral” by 2035.

Both EnBW and HEH are focusing on ammonia as a carrier for hydrogen. After transport, it can be reconverted to hydrogen or used directly as a CO₂-neutral fuel. Co-combustion of up to 20% ammonia has already been successfully implemented in smaller power plants and furnaces, according to EnBW.