E.ON Benelux to supply heat for new LNG import terminal Maasvlakte
Rotterdam, 18 December 2007 – Energy generator E.ON Benelux is to supply residual heat for Holland’s first LNG import terminal which Gate terminal is scheduled to build on the Maasvlakte. Yesterday, the parties signed the contract on this. E.ON Benelux will also supply the terminal with electricity. The companies view this cooperation as a good example of co-partnership and socially responsible entrepreneurship. Gate terminal is a joint venture of Gasunie and Vopak.
Given the burgeoning demand for natural gas, two years back Gasunie and Vopak took the initiative to build an LNG import terminal on the Maasvlakte. This will reinforce Holland’s position in the natural gas market. The partners set up the joint venture Gas Terminal B.V. to develop and run the terminal.
The envisaged location of the terminal will be alongside EO.N’s Maasvlakte power station. To heat up the liquid gas Gate terminal will use the power station’s cooling water. This cooling water is a residual product of generating electricity – and this way it takes on a useful second life. The higher temperature makes heating gas with cooling water more efficient than with seawater. Gate terminal seeks the status of a CO2-free terminal.
Gate Terminal will construct a new pumping station to transport the cooling water – with a maximum hourly capacity of 60 million litres. The aim is to start construction of the terminal next year, with the terminal operational and deliveries commencing from E.ON in late 2011.
Looking ahead, E.ON Benelux and Gate terminal intend to further develop the co-partnership on the Maasvlakte.
Ulco Vermeulen, Managing Director Gate terminal: "I’m proud that we can announce the construction of Holland’s first LNG terminal. With this integration between the E.ON power station and the LNG-terminal Rotterdam shows that chain efficiency can be made to happen. Right from the moment that the terminal goes operational in the second half of 2011, there will be no extra energy used to vaporize the gas – which is a saving in environmental terms. And it matches up with the sustainable principles of Gate terminal and its stock holders."
Edward Sigar, director E.ON Benelux: “We see this project – with the residual products of our power station being used sustainably - as an energy-efficient, innovative and environmentally hygienic way of working together as responsible partners. This is an innovative application of a real residual product- also from our new power station on the Maasvlakte. This cuts the use of primary fuels. And it’s a good example of how parties can work jointly towards optimal applications. And here we also see this matching up with Rotterdam’s aim of developing into a low CO2 city and an Energy port.”