On July 31, 2025, a significant milestone was reached at the Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal: the arrival of the tanker “Venture Gator” marked the 100th landing of liquefied natural gas since the terminal went into operation in December 2022.
Since then, over 8.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas – around 100 terawatt hours (TWh) – have been fed into the German grid. This amount corresponds to the annual demand of around 1.6 million households. Against the backdrop of declining gas imports from Russia, the terminal has established itself as an indispensable pillar of Germany's energy supply.
The “Wilhelmshaven 01” project was the first LNG terminal to be implemented within a very short time frame under the so-called LNG acceleration laws. Designed as a floating regasification unit (FSRU), it enables rapid landing, conversion, and feed-in of LNG. The site scores points with its strategic location: deep water, direct connection to the transmission network, and proximity to future energy projects.
In addition to its technical function, Wilhelmshaven is also geopolitically significant: regular deliveries from countries such as Qatar, the US, and Norway ensure greater security of supply and contribute to the stability of the European energy system.
Political and economic dimension
The 100th delivery symbolizes Germany's efforts to diversify its energy supply and reduce dependencies. LNG serves as a flexible transitional technology which, despite its fossil origin, strengthens resilience through its global availability.
The terminal also acts as an economic catalyst: it creates jobs and promotes investment in storage solutions and future hydrogen projects in the region.
Looking to the future: Green Energy Centre
In the long term, Wilhelmshaven aims to grow beyond its LNG function. Plans are already underway for ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion plants and connections for offshore wind energy. The goal is to develop the city into a central hub for the German hydrogen economy and thus into a green energy hub.
The 100th landing thus marks not only a statistical success, but also represents change: Wilhelmshaven shows how technology, politics, and regional players can work together to lay the foundation for a sustainable energy future.
