Lithuania can become energy technology centre thanks to LNG terminal

Lithuania’s Energy Minister, Rokas Masiulis, believes Lithuania’s floating Liquified Natural Gas storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU), the Independence, has given Lithuania the chance to become a regional energy technology centre. 

The Independence is docked in the Lithuanian port-town of Klaipeda.

"The emergence of the terminal has given Lithuania, first of all, energy security,” Masiulis told LRT radio on October 27, 2015. Second, it has given competition, which brings down gas prices.

“As a result our our prices are among the best ones in Europe.

"It has also given specific knowledge and by developing LNG technologies, we can make Lithuania a serious energy centre, develop new businesses, create new jobs, pay taxes and develop a whole new industry," he said.

"This is a growing business area and this is where Lithuania has a unique opportunity to develop knowledge in these technologies and be a leading country in the region.”

According to Masiulus, the Klaipeda LNG terminal currently uses 20 percent of its capacity.

In early 2017, its operatior, Klaipedos Nafta (Klaipeda Oil), will build an onshore LNG reloading station. 

LNG will then be transported from Lithuania across the Baltic region. 

A joint venture between Lithuania's gas trade company Litgas and Norway's Statoil also plans to use the onshore terminal to supply LNG to other Baltic Sea ports or individual customers.

The Independence arrived in Klaipeda on Oct. 27, 2014, providing Lithuania with an alternative to Russian pipeline gas.

Six LNG tankers with Statoil gas have since come to the Lithuanian port.