National Grid’s Grain LNG facility in the UK, Europe’s largest LNG import terminal, has received certification from MiQ for methane emissions.
“Graded a ‘B’ by MiQ, Grain LNG is the first LNG port in the world to receive MiQ’s accreditation and is the first facility outside of North America,” National Grid said in a statement.
National Grid said the certification of Grain LNG will enable buyers of LNG to choose cargoes based upon methane emissions profile thanks to the third-party audited verification of emissions at Grain LNG.
MiQ has certified the methane emissions of 20 percent of US natural gas production and “can provide natural gas buyers with a credible estimate of emissions from LNG for the first time,” the statement said.
The company recently partnered with US natural gas producer EQT German energy firm Uniper on a pilot transaction underscoring the importance of transparency in emissions reporting for US LNG exports.
MiQ expects more facilities in Europe undergoing certification shortly and expects to see the first certified LNG cargo travel from the US to Europe before the end of the year.
National Grid said Grain LNG’s certification meets the increased demand from European and UK natural gas buyers for greater transparency on the emissions related to their purchases.
The firm said this certification also comes at a time when Grain LNG is being expanded to store and deliver enough gas to meet up to 33 percent of UK gas demand.
Grain LNG on sale
Earlier this year, National Grid revealed it aims to sell its Grain LNG terminal.
The company said it is further evolving its strategy to focus on networks and plans to sell Grain LNG, and National Grid Renewables, its US onshore renewables business.
According to National Grid’s website, the total investment in the Isle of Grain LNG facility reached more than $1.1 billion up to date.
Launched in 2005, the LNG terminal currently has 8 LNG storage tanks able to store 1,000,000 cbm.
The facility has two jetties and a total capacity of about 15 mtpa.
Also, National Grid is expanding the facility, and it is building a new 190,000-cbm storage LNG tank.
The firm previously said it expects to complete construction in summer 2025, increasing Grain LNG’s capacity to 1.2 bcm.