Dutch LNG market experts appreciate Lithuania as a partner in the European gas market

As a relative newcomer on the European liquefied natural gas (LNG) market, Lithuania and the Netherlands, having an extensive experience in the market are looking for cooperation and experience sharing opportunities. Moreover, the Netherlands also has the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the EU in the first half of 2016. Dutch LNG market representatives visited the companies of the largest energy group in the country, Lietuvos Energija, and were particularly interested in future possibilities for cooperation in the development of technical LNG facilities in Lithuania.

 

The delegation also visited the most modern practical training site for gas specialist in the Baltics, located in Panevėžys. The guests made concrete proposals to further develop training facilities for professionals who can service future LNG facilities in Lithuania as well as in neighboring countries. The demand for professional excellence will grow over the next few years in Lithuania and the Baltic States, as well as in Europe.

 

The Netherlands are advanced in the field of LNG and it promotes this energy source in industry, logistics and in heavy transport. Speaking about the latter, at least three manufacturers are already preparing the development and production of LNG-fueled buses in Europe. The Dutch delegates are convinced that the Lithuanian LNG terminal opens large opportunities for Lithuania to become an important regional LNG hub with a potential to develop LNG infrastructure in cities and towns spanning an approximate 500-kilometer radius around Klaipėda.

 

While visiting the metalworking production unit of EnePRO, an energy service and contracting company, the Dutch delegation was interested in technical facilities, operating certificates, materials, and products. Mr. Patrick Cnubben, Manager at the Energy Valley Foundation and Board Member of National (Dutch) LNG Platform, said after the visit that he was pleasantly surprised by the wide range of business opportunities available here to both Dutch and Lithuanian companies. "Lithuania has embarked on a great path and has everything it needs to become a significant regional player in the LNG market. There is a perfect LNG terminal in Klaipėda, the companies are staffed by young, enthusiastic leaders, and the training facilities are ideal for LNG professional service training. The advent of this market requires Lithuania to take an international approach towards cooperation between business and government, and necessitates expanding the existing LNG infrastructure," said Mr. Cnubben.

                                                                                                              

According to him, Lithuania stands out from the surrounding countries having unique facilities and competencies. This can serve as the basis for Lithuania to join the European LNG market, take over the best practices, and establish mutually beneficial relations. The experience of the Netherlands and other European countries shows that LNG (LNG enables the elegant transition changing from diesel-fuel to LNG engines that emit less pollutants and noise) is a particularly attractive option for heavy and long haul transportation, urban public transport, waste disposal collection as well as the food processing industry that requires stable, reliable, and large volumes of energy for food product drying, freezing, and thawing. The Dutch representatives said Lithuania made a very positive impression on them and that representatives of Dutch companies in the LNG sector plan to return to Lithuania this year.

 

“The economic justification of projects is of primary importance for Lithuania in order to begin developing LNG infrastructure, such as energy costs reduction in isolated -off grid- areas, as well as environmental benefits, compared with the existing fossil fuel alternatives that are more prone to polluting and more expensive,” said Mr. Dominykas Tučkus, member of the Board of Lietuvos Energija. LITGAS, as part of the Lietuvos Energija Group, functions as a LNG market developer in Lithuania that supplies liquefied natural gas to the LNG terminal.

 

The representatives of Dutch LNG market introduced the idea of a National LNG Platform which was born and implemented in the Netherlands and quickly spread to other European countries. LNG platforms have already been established in Germany and Belgium (Flanders), France is to follow suit soon. National LNG Platforms bring together stakeholders in the LNG sector (producers, suppliers, knowledge institutes, training institutes, as well as dealers and end users). Such a platform provides a great synergy at a pre-competitive level between partners in the LNG sector, creating the ability to quickly respond to customer needs, develop joint projects, and share best practices available.

 

In a “Green Deal”, the Dutch LNG Platform set ambitious objectives: 50 sea going LNG vessels, 50 inland navigation vessels, and 500 heavy-duty trucks. Successful LNG development led to a review of the platform objectives. The Netherlands now plans to have 5.000 heavy-duty trucks powered by LNG by 2020.

 

The Netherlands is currently running more than 14 LNG filling stations. In accordance with European Union requirements, they must be installed every 400 kilometers. The Netherlands has one of the best developed natural gas sectors in Europe.