International energy terminal operator KN Energies, which started the year by winning a public tender for the commercial services for four floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals on the German North Sea coast, operated by Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH (DET), the state-owned operator of four terminals in Germany, is expanding its activities. KN Energies has won a tender also launched by DET, to provide technical operation and maintenance services for the LNG terminal Wilhelmshaven 2.
 
The contract signed at the beginning of May between KN Energies and DET specifies that KN Energies will carry out for DET the preparatory work for the technical operation of the LNG terminal Wilhelmshaven 2 by setting up an operational company in Germany, a well trained engineering team, and preparing the terminal's technical operating documentation. Upon the start of commercial operations of the terminal, KN Energies will be responsible for the technical operations and maintenance of the terminal's infrastructure - the jetty, its equipment and the pipeline, organizing the work of the on-site team, as well as the coordination of preventive and corrective actions.
 
"It is symbolic that this year, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Klaipėda LNG Terminal, a symbol of Lithuania's energy independence, we are taking on even a greater role in the German LNG terminal market, the development of which, like in Lithuania, is aimed at ensuring the country's energy independence and a reliable natural gas supply. We have been cooperating with our partners in Germany since 2022, and I am convinced that the unique competences, expertise, professionalism and cooperation demonstrated by KN Energies so far will allow us to successfully take on new responsibilities and meet the expectations of our customers," said Darius Šilenskis, Chief Executive Officer of KN Energies.
 
The second Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal, currently under construction, is planned to be served by floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Excelsior, owned by the US company Excelerate. The FSRU has an LNG storage capacity of 138 000 cubic meters and an annual  nameplate regasification capacity of 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The terminal is scheduled to start commercial operations in the second half of this year.
 
“We are pleased to have found an experienced service provider for Operations and Maintenance at our Wilhelmshaven 2 site, with whom we already have a good cooperation. This enables good synergies within our project for the security of supply in Germany and Europe.”, says Dr Peter Röttgen, Managing Director of DET.
 
The agreement between the two parties is concluded for preparatory phase until start of commercial operations and thereafter for a 5-year period of operational phase with a possibility to extend the agreement. It is envisaged that the implementation of the commitments will, among other things, draw on KN Energies' successful experience in the technical and commercial operations of the LNG terminal operating in the Brazilian port of Açu: the on-site team in Germany will be provided with trainings and necessary operational knowledge, while the operations will be supported by the LNG competence center - KN Energies’ team based in Lithuania.
 
This will be the first time KN Energies will provide technical operation and maintenance services to an LNG terminal in Germany, and the expected annual turnover of the services could reach up to 5% of the company's annual revenue.
 
DET, part of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, operates four LNG terminals on the German North Sea coast - Wilhelmshaven 1 and Brunsbüttel, as well as the Wilhelmshaven 2 and Stade LNG terminals, which both are currently under construction. Until 2024, KN Energies provided commercial management services for the first Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel LNG terminals, while following the takeover of their operation by DET and the launch of a new consolidated tender for the commercial management of all four LNG terminals earlier this year, KN Energies took over the services for commercial management of all four terminals on behalf of DET.
 
KN is an international energy terminal operator responsible for ensuring safe and reliable flows of liquid energy, loading of chemicals and raw materials for Baltic consumers, while also using the company’s knowledge and skills to assist clients around the world in developing sustainable energy infrastructure projects. The company currently operates three terminals for liquid energy products in Klaipėda, Subačius, and Marijampolė, and is also the operator of LNG terminals in Lithuania and Brazil. To date, the company has contributed to more than 10 different LNG projects around the world.