GIE’s New EU LNG Map is out!

November 20, 2024

The Association of the Gas Infrastructure Operators of Europe just published the new version of their LNG Map. Giving an exhaustive overview of the dynamic LNG market in Europe for 2024, it is a valuable tool for decision-makers across sectors.
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Thanks to its flexibility and optionality, LNG has become an increasingly important supply source for Europe in a volatile environment. Hence, LNG terminals play a key role in fostering the security of supply in Europe by enabling the diversification of supply sources and routes, securing access to global and competitive energy sources, and qualifying as reliable flexibility providers that allow the development of hubs/trading.

The latest news
Thanks to increased capacities, the LNG large-scale terminals assured 41% of EU gas supply in 2023, compared to 17% in 2021[1]. Capacity reserves have proven critical in reducing gas prices and volatility. Significant additional capacity for LNG regasification and storage is under construction. More than ever, the LNG industry is critical to maintaining the security of supply for the next years while preparing to accommodate new gases.

A future-proofed infrastructure
By 2030, LNG terminals in the EU will have expanded capacities to over 4000 TWh per year (over 400 bcm/year) and will further enable the energy transition while providing the needed flexibility and strengthening the security of supply.

In the future, this capacity will be used for renewable and low-carbon molecule imports as LNG terminals can integrate various value chains that will emerge depending on their geographical location, technology as well as upstream and downstream developments:

• BioLNG and synthetic LNG can be handled without any modification.
• Imports of hydrogen carriers through these LNG terminals will be necessary to complement domestic hydrogen production similarly to natural gas imports today. Upgraded terminals can import different hydrogen carriers that will require other technologies, such as ammonia, LOHC or possibly liquid hydrogen
• LNG terminals can accommodate syngas from steam methane reforming or pyrolysis.

"LNG terminals provide flexibility to the energy network by allowing for the transport of BioLNG and synthetic LNG without additional investments. At the same time, they could be repurposed to handle hydrogen carriers like ammonia or molecules like CO2. This flexibility also contributes to decarbonisation by integrating renewable gases. The LNG terminals enable global and diverse import possibilities, enhancing resilience and reducing dependence on single suppliers. Collaboration with ports is crucial for optimising logistics and lowering emissions. Finally, investing in LNG terminals is a strategic need to diversify supply routes and sources."

Luis Ignacio Parada, GLE President

Import capacity in the EU27

• 33 operational large-scale terminals, including onshore and offshore
• 7 terminals under construction and 16 terminals planned
• Current importing capacity of ~2500 TWh per year
• Another ~1100 TWh/year capacity to be built by 2030
• For daily updates on LNG operational data, check out GIE's transparency platform ALSI: https://alsi.gie.eu
• LNG Database: https://www.gie.eu/transparency/databases/lng-database/

About the map
This useful document provides comprehensive information on existing and under-construction LNG terminals in Europe, including send-out capacity, LNG storage capacity and the main terminal characteristics. Planned or under-study LNG terminal projects are also detailed. The LNG map is updated annually with first-hand information provided by GLE members, making it a reliable source of information for the LNG business. Maps are available free of charge.

Tools to monitor the security of supply in Europe:

For more than 15 years, GIE has been working on and innovating the most accurate, efficient, and user-friendly energy market transparency instruments. GIE Transparency tools provide an accurate view for decision-makers and analysts in monitoring the evolution of the energy market, i.e. LNG and storage markets. GIE's AGSI and ALSI Transparency Platforms are real-time and go-to information sources offering daily reporting by storage and LNG terminal operators. See:

AGSI - Storage Transparency Platform
ALSI - LNG Transparency Platform
GIE IIP - Inside Information Platform
GIE Transparency Initiatives
GIE Maps

[1] https://gasdashboard.entsog.eu/#map-flows

Note to editors

Who is GIE?

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association representing the interests of European gas infrastructure operators active in gas transmission, gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification. GIE is a trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking. GIE currently represents 70 member companies from 25 countries. GIE's vision is that by 2050, the gas infrastructure will be the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens to benefit from a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply.

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