GLNG: Regas rates at Grain LNG reach record levels as European demand soars

The Grain LNG terminal in the UK posted record gas send-out levels in April, as high demand for gas from Europe pushed utilisation rates up, with LNG tankers having arrived from eight new countries since January.

The terminal saw its highest ever utilisation rate in April, sending out an average of 431 GWh per day, higher than the previous high of 412.2 GWh in April 2021.

The figure represents 67% of the plant’s total utilisation and equates to approximately 13% of the UK’s total gas demand.

However, most of this gas is then re-exported via pipeline to the European gas network, as countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany seek new sources of gas as imports from Russia fall because of the war in Ukraine.

“Current UK gas demand is about average for this time of year; however, the impact of a freeze on Russian gas is being felt across Europe, and as a result we are seeing increased LNG deliveries,” said Importation Terminal manager Simon Culkin.

Grain LNG is of strategic national importance to UK, and also offers direct access to the UK’s NBP gas trading hubs.