August 17, 2022 [ Storage Terminals Magazine ] – Ilze Indriksone, Latvian minister for Economics, during a visit to Paldiski LNG terminal building site, said that Latvia will be able to survive its next difficult winter by using Liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplied from Estonia and Lithuania’s terminals.

Ms Indriksone said: “The new terminal is important for the whole region. Construction is on schedule and due to end in November. When the terminal is completed, Latvia will be able to balance its gas flow between Klaipeda and Paldiski.”

When asked how Estonia’s gas reserves at the Latvian Incukalns gas storage centre are guaranteed in difficult times, the minister said: “Latvia’s solidarity can be counted on and agreements between the Baltics have been signed.”

“With gas supply, we really hope for cooperation — there is already a terminal in Lithuania, now a terminal is also being built in Estonia, and we have the Incukalns gas storage in Latvia.”

“Maybe in three years we will all be in a much better situation and the price level will meet the expectations of our economy,”

Alexela and Infortar have been tasked with completing the LNG terminal by October 30 and Elering by November 30. If everything goes to plan, the floating terminal will be in operation soon after.

Taavi Veskimägi, Elering CEO, said that Estonia and Finland have a joint agreement for a floating storage ship, and it will dock wherever reception capacity is available and ready first.

Mr Veskimägi said:”Market participants and customers do not really need to be interested in exactly where this floating terminal is located, whether it is here or on the Finnish side of the Gulf of Finland, because there is actually Balticconnector’s gas pipeline and we can receive gas from both sides,”

However, Alexela can see advantages to the ship docking in Estonia.

Marti Hääl, Alexela board member, said: “If the Finns have theirs ready, then I hope that the question of where the floating terminal is situated will be resolved according to where it makes more economic sense. We are convinced, however, that in terms of navigation, we are at a competitive advantage compared to the Finns.

“Due to the navigational conditions, large LNG ships can come to this quay even in the winter without needing to break ice.”

Russia’s state-owned energy company Gazprom has suspended supplies to Latvia. The country had already agreed to phase out Russian gas from 2023.

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