Alexandroupolis FSRU will gradually resume operations as of Aug 15

Starting on August 15, the Alexandroupolis FSRU will gradually resume operations with the necessary backup systems in place. From October 1 - the beginning of the new Gas Year - nearly all operational restrictions will be lifted, as Vice President and CEO of Gastrade, Kostis Sifnaios, confirmed in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).
The operation of the FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit for liquefied natural gas) was halted on January 28 due to a technical issue that damaged the high-pressure pumps. However, according to Sifnaios, the conditions at the time were such that neither the Greek nor the regional gas market was significantly disrupted.
Sifnaios also expressed confidence that the process for issuing environmental permits for the offshore LNG terminal in the Thracian Sea will likely be completed soon, possibly by the end of the summer.
Asked whether future investments in new FSRU units would be viable, Sifnaios stated that "they certainly can be," especially in light of the EU's goal to completely eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027. Nevertheless, he noted that global developments will play a critical role in those investment decisions.
Regarding the Alexandroupolis FSRU, Sifnaios clarified that in the 45-day period, from August 15 to October 1, the available gasification capacity at the FSRU will be a maximum of 25% of the nominal capacity of the station, i.e. approximately 45-46 gigawatt hours (GWh) per day, with available reserve in terms of high-pressure pumps. "From October 1, these restrictions have been withdrawn. There will be some minor technical operational restrictions, but we will be able to work generally normally. Some final adjustments will also be made over the course of the year, to eliminate any other restrictions that exist, but essentially from October 1, we are working almost normally," Sifnaios clarified.