Of the total annual energy usage in Finland , the share of natural gas is approximately five percent . In particular , natural gas is needed for industrial processes , CHP energy production , and heavy traffic . However , the floating terminal will also secure gas supplies for households that use natural gas .
The terminal ship will essentially be utilised as an anchored LNG terminal where the liquefied natural gas is re-vaporised into gasefied state and then supplied into Gasgrid ’ s transmission grid . While the ’ Exemplar ’ remains technically a ship , she becomes a movable part of the gas-supply infrastructure , operating as sort of a transformer unit .
Part of the re-gasified natural gas will be routed to Estonia , through the existing pipeline connection . The total costs of the floating terminal for the 10-year usage period are estimated to be approximately 460 million euros , with some additional costs depending on the usage volumes .
A CRUCIAL MEASURE FOR AVOIDING GAS SHORTAGES
Mr . Riku Huttunen , Director General of the Energy Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in Finland , confirms that the floating LNG terminal is expected to be in use in Inkoo in December 2022 .
” The terminal ship will fulfil the needs of the industrial natural gas users in Finland . Since May 2022 , our country has received natural gas solely through the Balticconnector pipeline .”
” Thus far , those supplies have been sufficient . However , if we had no floating LNG terminal ready for use this winter , we would run the risk of industrial gas shortages ,” Mr . Huttunen notes .
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The terminal ship will fulfil the needs of the industrial natural gas users in Finland .
He adds that the increased gas supplies also have an effect on the gas prices and electricity production .
” For the LNG terminal ship , Finland and Estonia have signed a memorandum of understanding . According to this document , the expenses of the terminal will be shared between the countries , divided in accordance with a ratio determined by the gas usage – that is , 80 percent for Finland and 20 percent for Estonia .”
” The floating terminal will provide natural gas for the shared market .
32 seatec 4 / 2022