As the energy crunch grips Europe, its largest LNG receiving terminal responds, welcoming 91 ships in 2022 and pushing 40% more gas into the UK’s grid than 2021
Smashing an 11-year-old record, the UK’s Grain LNG terminal recorded its busiest year ever in 2022, welcoming 91 ships, as the flexibility of LNG proved critical in helping Europe meet its energy security needs.
Europe’s largest LNG receiving terminal, Grain LNG, had 60% more ship arrivals in 2022 than in 2021, according to owner National Grid. The previous record year was set in 2011, when the terminal unloaded 66 ships.
During 2022, Grain LNG sent over 82 TWh into the UK’s National Transmission System (NTS), compared to 59 TWh in 2021, an almost 40% increase.
Once LNG is offloaded and converted to natural gas, it is sent out either to the UK’s NTS, or exported via pipeline to Europe.
During a cold snap in December, Grain LNG broke several records, reaching over 90% of its capacity while pushing out 600 GWh of gas into the UK’s network during the month. This compares to between 200 and 400 GWh in a typical December.
The UK has been pivotal in refilling European gas reserves, which are in the region of 100 billion cubic metres (bcm). During this winter season in the western hemisphere, the UK was responsible for filling about 16% of Europe’s gas reserves.
With Europe pivoting from Russian pipeline gas, LNG has filled the gap, enabling the continent to reach its 90% storage target.
“Over the last year we have seen a real uplift in LNG imports from the US”
Q4 2022 was a record quarter for Grain LNG, with 37 ships calling at the terminal between September and December, compared to a seasonal average of 16.
Prior to the Russia-Ukraine war, the UK received around 30% of its LNG from Russia. Now, around a third of the ships calling at Grain LNG are from the US.
“Over the last year we have seen a real uplift in LNG imports from the US,” says Grain LNG importation terminal manager Simon Culkin. Calling it a “remarkable year” for Grain LNG, Mr Culkin, says: “UK energy security is dependent on a diverse mix of energy generation and sources, and LNG is an important part of that.”
And, as LNG Shipping & Terminals previously reported, the terminal, originally commissioned in the 1980s, is also undergoing a pioneering midlife upgrade to meet future energy demands.
Speaking to LNG Shipping & Terminals, National Grid (Grain LNG) technical development manager James Hooker says the expansion has three components: one to increase storage capacity; the second to increase regasification capacity; and a third to extend the life of the asset.
“The expansion project is critical to the UK security of energy supply and also Europe,” says Mr Hooker. Future-proofing is a central element of extending the asset life of Grain LNG. National Grid recently commissioned an initial study on what needs to be done at the terminal to meet National Grid’s net-zero targets and transition for the energy shift.
One of the technologies being considered is carbon capture and storage, notes Mr Hooker. “We have access to jetties, and we are looking at whether we can extend that infrastructure in preparation for carbon capture and storage and berth smaller ships. At the moment, the jetties are built for LNG tankers,” he says.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.