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Bilbao LNG terminal marks vessel milestone
BBG’s LNG terminal at the Port of Bilbao has received its 1,000th LNG carrier, highlighting its role in Spain’s gas supply network
Bahía de Bizkaia Gas (BBG), the LNG storage and regasification terminal at the Port of Bilbao, has marked a milestone with the arrival of its 1,000th LNG carrier, further cementing its position within Spain’s energy infrastructure.
The vessel, Rioja Knutsen, chartered by Naturgy, arrived from the United States on 20 January, carrying 164,000 m³ of LNG. The ship will remain at the terminal for 24 hours to complete unloading.
Since beginning operations in 2003, BBG has been a key gateway for natural gas imports into the Atlantic Arc, providing flexibility and the capacity to handle increasingly large LNG carriers.
The facility, which covers 200% of the Basque Country’s natural gas demand and 16% of Spain’s overall demand, is one of the most utilised in the Spanish gas system.
“Natural gas retailers have chosen BBG for its ability to accommodate the largest LNG carriers in the world,” according to the company.
BBG features three storage tanks, each with a 150,000 m³ capacity, providing a total storage volume of 450,000 m³.
Its regasification capacity stands at 800,000 Nm³/h, allowing processed gas to be fed into the general supply network for industrial and domestic consumption.
The terminal played a crucial role in 2024 by regasifying 50,887 GWh of LNG, with the facility receiving 27% of the total LNG imported into Spain.
Despite an overall decrease in gas demand across Spain, BBG’s share increased from 22% the previous year.
Owned equally by the Basque Energy Agency and Enagás, BBG contributes to the Port of Bilbao’s freight traffic, with LNG cargo representing over 10% of total volume.
BBG’s strategic location and infrastructure enable it to link maritime imports with European markets through the Euskadour pipeline and Spain’s domestic network.
The facility was conceived in the 1990s to address industrial gas shortages in the Basque Country and has since transformed the region into an important hub for European gas distribution.
Over the years, natural gas consumption in the Basque Country has reached 25,772 GWh, with industrial and household use accounting for the majority.
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