Fluxys G takes a 25% stake in the Dunkirk LNG terminal, a project initiated by French power producer EDF. The company will be actively involved in operating the facility.
With its involvement in the Dunkirk terminal, Fluxys G is taking another step forward in its international strategy of developing partnerships and synergies with other natural gas infrastructure companies in North-Western Europe in order to enhance security of supply and the well-functioning of the market.
Fluxys LNG, a subsidiary of Fluxys G, is the Zeebrugge LNG terminal operator. The terminal’s capacity doubled in 2008 and works will begin shortly to build a second jetty. Through its LNG activities in Zeebrugge, Fluxys G has built up over 30 years’ experience in operating and engineering LNG infrastructure.
Enhancing security of supply for North-Western Europe
As the Dunkirk LNG terminal represents an additional capacity of 13 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, the facility will contribute substantially to enhancing security of supply and the well-functioning of the natural gas market in North-Western Europe. Alongside the preparations for the Dunkirk LNG terminal project, Fluxys, a subsidiary of Fluxys G and Belgian TSO, has launched a market consultation with French TSO GRTgaz to assess the level of interest in a new pipeline offering transmission capacity from France to Belgium. This new link would help to further diversify sources of supply for NorthWestern Europe. In addition, the Zeebrugge area would offer grid users optimum destination flexibility for their natural gas flows from France and particularly from the Dunkirk LNG terminal.
Operational synergies between the Zeebrugge and Dunkirk areas
A pipeline connecting the Zeebrugge and Dunkirk areas would also create greater flexibility of use for the market. The two LNG terminals could, for example, agree on mutual backup during scheduled maintenance shutdowns.
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Source: Fluxys G, June 30, 2011