The Anonymous Widower

Grain LNG Launches Market Consultation For Existing Capacity

The title of this post is the same as that of this press release from National Grid.

This is the sub-heading.

Grain LNG, the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Europe, is pleased to announce the launch of a market consultation for the auction of 375 Gwh/d (approx. 9 mtpa) of existing capacity. The initial consultation phase for the Auction of Existing Capacity will commence on 14 June and run until 26 July.

These paragraphs detail what Grain LNG, which is a subsidiary of National Grid are offering.

GLNG has used the positive feedback received from the recent ‘Expression of Interest’ exercise and subsequent market engagement to offer three lots of capacity:

• Each lot will be entitled to 42 berthing slots, 200,000 m³ of storage and 125GWh/d (approx. 3 mtpa) of regasification capacity from as early as January 2029.
• This product is specifically designed for parties who wish to acquire a substantial stake in a major terminal in Northwest Europe, at a reduced cost and with shorter contract lengths when compared to new-build projects.
• As the terminal’s capacity already exists, parties involved will not be subjected to the FID approvals or potential delays that can arise from construction issues commonly associated with new build terminals.

Simon Culkin, Importation Terminal Manager at Grain LNG, said: “We are really pleased with the high level of interest shown by the market at a time of significant geo-political influence on our energy markets. It has allowed us to engage with potential customers and shape our offering to best meet their needs, whilst optimising access to this strategic asset. “

Reading the Wikipedia entry for the Grain LNG Terminal, it looks like it gets used as a handy store for natural gas.

About Phase 1 (2002–05), Wikipedia says this.

The new facilities enabled the Grain terminal to become a base supply to the NTS, with the ability to deliver gas continuously when required. The cost of the Phase 1 project was £130m. A 20-year contract with BP / Sonatrach enabled Grain LNG to import LNG on a long-term basis from July 2005.

About Phase 2 (2005–08), Wikipedia says this.

The development provided an additional five million tonnes of capacity per annum. All this capacity was contracted out from December 2010. Customers included BP, Iberdrola, Sonatrach, Centrica, E.ON and GDF Suez.

Under Current Facilities, Wikipedia says this.

Grain LNG Ltd does not own the LNG or the gas that it handles but charges for gasifying it. Current (2016) users include BP, Centrica (British Gas Trading), Iberdrola (Spain), Sonatrach (Algeria), Engie (France), and Uniper (Germany).

National Grid must be pleased that some customers seem loyal.

I feel that National Grid’s basic plan is to carry on with more of the same.

But will they develop more storage and other facilities on the site.

There are certainly other projects and interconnectors, that make the Isle of Grain and energy hub connecting the UK, Netherlands and Germany.

• In Did I See The UK’s Hydrogen-Powered Future In Hull Today?, I mentioned, that I thought that the Isle of Grain could be a location for an electrolyser and a hydrogen store.
• In EuroLink, Nautilus And Sea Link, I talk about new interconnectors, if which Nautilus might come to the Isle of Grain.
• In UK-German Energy Link Reaches Financial Close, I talk about NeuConnect, which will be an interconnector between the Isle of Grain ans Wilhelmshaven in Germany.
• The Isle of Grain is the landing point for the BritNed undersea power cable between The Netherlands and the UK.

I could also see National Grid building an East Coast interconnector to bring power from the wind farms off the East Coast of England to the Isle of Grain for distribution.

These are major wind farms South of the Humber.

• Dudgeon – 402 MW
• East Anglia 1 – 714 MW
• East Anglia 1 North – 800 MW
• East Anglia 2 – 900 MW
• Galloper – 504 MW – RWE
• Greater Gabbard – 504 MW
• Gunfleet Sands – 174 MW
• Hornsea 1 – 1218 MW
• Hornsea 2 – 1386 MW
• Hornsea 3 – 2852 MW
• Humber Gateway – 219 MW
• Lincs – 270 MW
• London Array – 630 MW
• Lynn and Inner Dowsing – 194 MW
• Race Bank – 580 MW
• Scroby Sands – 60 MW
• Sheringham Shoal – 317 MW
• Triton Knoll – 857 MW –  RWE
• Dogger Bank A – 1235 MW
• Dogger Bank B – 1235 MW
• Dogger Bank C – 1218 MW
• Dogger Bank D – 1320 MW
• Dogger Bank South – 3000 MW  RWE
• East Anglia 3 – 1372 MW
• Norfolk Boreas – 1396 MW
• Norfolk Vanguard – 1800 MW
• Outer Dowsing – 1500 MW
• North Falls – 504 MW – RWE
• Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extensions – 719 MW
• Five Estuaries – 353 MW – RWE

Note.

1. These figures give a total capacity of 28,333 MW.
2. Five wind farms marked RWE are owned by that company.
3. These five wind farms have a total capacity of 5618 MW.
4. Will RWE export, their electricity to Germany through NeuConnect?

I can certainly see National Grid building one of the world’s largest electrolysers and some energy storage on the Isle of Grain, if an East Coast Interconnector is built.

June 18, 2023 - Posted by AnonW | Energy, Energy Storage | BP, Gas Storage, Grain LNG Terminal, Interconnectors, Isle Of Grain, Liquified Natural Gas, National Grid, Natural Gas, NeuConnect