Germany – first hydrogen import terminal is to be built on the Baltic coast.
The two LNG terminal operators Deutsche Regas and Höegh LNG have signed a letter of intent to this effect. Accordingly, they have chosen the port of Lubmin as the location for the floating terminal. According to the companies, it would be the first of its kind in the world. The project partners are planning a joint venture for this purpose, which is due to start the realisation phase at the beginning of 2026. Höegh will supply the technology, Deutsche Regas will provide the landside infrastructure and is responsible for marketing the hydrogen. The terminal operator will also coordinate the project.
“Very good flexibility option”
The hydrogen is to arrive at the German Baltic Sea port in the form of ammonia. The two companies want to anchor a barge with an ammonia cracker there for this purpose. Höegh is working with partners on the development of this cracker. It should also be possible to temporarily store ammonia on the floating unit. One market participant told energate that the floating unit could be a very good source of flexibility, especially at the beginning of the market ramp-up for hydrogen. After all, it will probably be some time before hydrogen storage facilities are available.
Up to 30,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year
The cracker splits ammonia into its components hydrogen and nitrogen. Up to 30,000 tonnes of hydrogen can be produced in Lubmin in the future. The cracker is scheduled to go into operation at the end of 2026. The partners want to feed the hydrogen into the core network in Lubmin. Gascade will convert one of the connecting pipelines from Lubmin to the Czech border, the Opal or Eugal, to hydrogen. It will probably be one of the first natural gas pipelines in Germany to be converted to hydrogen.
Converting the FSRU for the storage of ammonia
Deutsche Regas and Höegh LNG did not provide any information on the level of investment. It also remains to be seen what is still missing on the way from the declaration of intent to the investment decision. However, the two partners have more far-reaching plans for the future. The FSRU could be converted for the storage of ammonia. According to earlier information from Höegh, this is also possible on a modular basis. The shipping company had already announced some time ago that it was working on this technology. It should be ready for operation in 2028, Thomas Thorkildsen, Chief Commercial Officer at Höegh LNG, explained at the ‘Flame’ gas conference in Amsterdam at the end of April.
Deutsche Regas had the regasification vessel (FSRU) Neptune at the Lubmin site until this spring. This will be relocated to Mukran, where Deutsche Regas operates a second FSRU. Höegh LNG is an FSRU specialist. The Norwegian company has chartered the Neptune to Deutsche Regas and the two FSRUs Höegh Gannet in Brunsbüttel and Höegh Esperanza in Wilhelmshaven to the German state.
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Germany – first hydrogen import terminal is to be built on the Baltic coast. source
