The project aims to increase the capacity of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the port of Świnoujście, northwest Poland, to strengthen the country’s energy security and help bolster energy markets in the Baltic Sea region. Development of the terminal is part of an EU focus on key infrastructure projects that help Europe achieve its energy policy and climate goals.
Upgrade of Polish port’s LNG terminal to strengthen energy security
- 17 December 2019
The project will enable the terminal to convert more LNG into gaseous form, store more LNG, and ensure LNG can be transferred into smaller tanks, railway containers, and onto ships. It is divided into four tasks: increasing the terminal’s regasification capacity; extending the offshore system used to transfer LNG from vessels; extending the terminal’s railway infrastructure; and building a third LNG tank.
Converting LNG back to gas
The LNG terminal’s construction was supported by a EUR 224 million ERDF grant in the previous programming period. Increasing the terminal's regasification capacity involves upgrading the current system that converts LNG back to gaseous form. The improved submerged combustion vaporiser (SCV) regasification system will increase capacity to 7.5 billion normal cubic meters – or Nm3 – per year and allow for peak regasification capacity of 8.62 billion Nm3/year. This task includes the purchase and installation of two new high-pressure LNG pumps, two new low-pressure pumps, as well as two new SCV regasificators. Other components include installing new and/or extending existing pipeline installations, and safety, power, control and auxiliary systems.
The second task will extend the offshore system used to transfer LNG to and from ships. This includes all related infrastructure, such as loading and unloading arms that can handle a maximum of 12 000 m3/hour.
Thirdly, the project will extend the terminal’s railway infrastructure used for loading LNG. This will include building railway tracks, installing a weighing system, LNG loading stations, as well as power and control systems.
Lastly, a third LNG storage tank with a capacity of 180 000 m3 will be built, along with the necessary infrastructure such as pipelines, power and control systems.
Connecting Poland and Europe
The project is one of six infrastructure investments by Polish gas supplier Gaz-System S.A. and its subsidiary Polskie LNG S.A. that are on the European Commission’s projects of common interest list published in November 2017. These types of key cross-border projects connect the energy systems of EU countries and seek to provide affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all, and decarbonise the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
Extension of the terminal is a vital part of the North-South infrastructure corridor and the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan for gas. It complements Poland’s energy policy and the EU’s Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme 2014-2020, specifically those projects that are increasing natural gas resources and developing the transmission network. Lastly, the project contributes to implementation of EU policy on sustainable development.The project is linked to four other strategic projects to build gas pipelines connecting Poland with Denmark, Ukraine, Lithuania, Czechia and Slovakia.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Extending the functionality of the LNG Terminal in Świnoujście” is EUR 237 362 821, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 130 347 676 through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority axis “Improving energy security”.