The gas pipeline connection built in Paldiski by Elering has been completed

Starting today (1st of December), the gas pipeline connection built in Paldiski by Elering is ready to receive gas into its network. In addition to reducing gas consumption and increasing gas reserves to accommodate the floating terminal in Paldiski, the gas pipeline connection is one of the three measures to ensure gas supply to consumers in the region. The pipeline connection was completed in accordance with the agreement between the ministries of Estonia and Finland and the expectation set by the owner for Elering to establish a gas connection in Paldiski to enable receiving the floating gas terminal leased by FSRU OY.

Together with the operating terminal in Lithuania, the new LNG terminal in the Gulf of Finland, which will start operating in December, will be able to cover the gas consumption of the entire region with sufficient reserves for both this winter and next year. Although the two terminals can cover the significantly reduced gas consumption of the region, according to the chairman of the board Taavi Veskimägi, from the point of view of security of supply, it is still important for us to have the capacity to receive an LNG floating terminal in Estonia as well if necessary. Of course, it would be best if the Paldiski network connection could be used not only as a reserve supply security capability, but that the gas market participants would also be interested in signing a connection and network agreement to connect the floating terminal to the gas system. "Starting today, all participants in the gas market have the opportunity to apply for a connection to the floating platform and the Estonian gas system in Paldiski," said Veskimägi. "Under the same conditions as we offered to FSRU OY, gas can be supplied to the Estonian gas system starting today," he added. The prerequisite for connectiing to the floating terminal and the Estonian gas system is the submission of a berth lease agreement and a ship lease agreement with specific technical conditions.  

In order to connect the gas infrastructure of Elering to a possible floating terminal in Paldiski, it is divided into three parts — a land connection, a sea pipeline and a quayside gas installation. These three parts are connected by the electricity and automation connections between the compressor station, the quay cranes and the possible floating terminal built by Elering. In order to create these connections, an electrical and communication cable has been installed next to the compressor station through land and sea and automation systems have been created both in the compressor station and on the wharf.