Klaipedos Nafta (KN) has inked a €134.1 million loan agreement with the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) to optimise costs of KN’s LNG terminal.

The 25-year maturity loan will be directed to finance the rent payable for the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU).

Currently, the FSRU used for LNG import to Lithuania is leased from the Norwegian Höegh LNG on a ten-year arrangement that expires in 2024. Following the Lithuanian government’s decision to secure a long-term import of LNG to the country, KN Board adopted principle decision to acquire LNG storage unit “Independence” or another floating LNG storage unit by 2024 and optimise current costs of the LNG terminal infrastructure.

NIB’s funding will cover around €26.8 million of the payments each year during the period 2020–2024, and thus will provide an opportunity to reduce the cost of LNG terminal infrastructure for consumers immediately. The financing will enable equalised tariff levels to be maintained throughout the full lifetime of the terminal, both before and after an FSRU is acquired.

“As a company of strategic importance, KN will contribute to the common goals of the state – in particular, to contribute to the long-term diversification of gas supply, energy security and independence, as well as to competitive gas prices for consumers. International energy experts confirm that the use of natural gas and LNG as the cleanest fossil fuel for power generation and heavy-duty road transport will play an important role in the transition for the EU to become a climate-neutral economy by 2050. Therefore, it is important for us to find the most cost-effective and sustainable solutions to the reduction of the security supplement of gas supply to ensure the competitiveness of LNG over other forms of energy and fuels,” said Darius Šilenskis, KN CEO.

This is NIB’s third loan agreement related to LNG infrastructure developments in Lithuania; the first two loans with Klaipedos Nafta were signed in 2014 and 2017, respectively.

For more information visit www.nib.int, www.kn.lt

6th January 2020