Estonian LNG terminal can break Russian monopoly, experts say
The liquefied gas terminal (LNG) planned by Elering, Port of Tallinn and Vopak in Muuga near Estonia's capital Tallinn affects the energy supply of the Baltic states more widely and helps to reduce the dependency of the region of Russian natural gas, an analysis of Stratfor Global Intelligence states, LETA/Postimees Online reports.
"For political, infrastructure and geopolitical reasons, Estonia is the Finnish-Baltic gas hub, which should help fulfil the region's energy aims," says the analysis.
Stratfor notes that Russia has for a long time enjoyed natural gas monopoly in the Baltic states and imported LNG is the only alternative to satisfy the region's natural gas needs.
Stratford notes that Estonia should be the region's LNG-hub, since Lithuania is developing its own project and in Latvia, economic, technical and political problems continue to be an obstacle to developing a joint Baltic import terminal.
The analysis states that as compared to Latvia and Finland, Estonia has already a more developed distribution network. Also Estonian gas network will most likely be the first one in the Baltic States to be connected to that of Finland's since the latter is also looking for alternatives to Russian gas.
Source: http://www.baltic-course.com/