In order to connect the planned import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Wilhelmshaven to the long-distance gas network, a 30-kilometer pipeline is to be built in the Friesland district by the end of this year.

Together with a floating platform through which the liquefied gas is landed and regasified, LNG imports via Wilhelmshaven should start by early 2023 at the latest.

Lower Saxony's Energy Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) presented corresponding plans together with the gas network operator Open Grid Europe (OGE), who wants to build the line, and representatives of municipalities on Friday in Hooksiel.

In order to reduce dependence on gas supplies from Russia, there are three companies in Wilhelmshaven that could be considered for setting up an LNG import terminal: the energy group Uniper, the Belgian company Tree Energy Solutions (TES) and Nord-West Oelleitung GmbH .

However, according to the Ministry of Energy in Hanover, permanently installed terminals could not be operational before 2025 at the earliest - before that, so-called Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU), i.e. floating landing and storage platforms, are to be used in Wilhelmshaven, to which LNG tankers are moored be able.

In the short term, the federal government wants to install three of these floating import terminals, which have a capacity of 9 to 10 billion cubic meters, in Germany.

Where exactly the systems will dock is not yet known.

Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have already expressed interest.

Connection to the long-distance gas network

In Wilhelmshaven, not far from the deep-water port Jade-Weser-Port, the so-called Vosslapper Groden handling facility is available as a berth for such FSRUs.

This would have to be rebuilt and reinforced a bit for docking the FSRU.

What is still missing is the now planned pipeline from the Vosslapper Groden to the next connection point of the long-distance gas network in the municipality of Etzel in the district of Wittmund.

Initially, the line should be able to transport a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters, with further expansion of the gas network in the hinterland up to 22 billion cubic meters are possible in the medium term, according to Open Grid Europe.

According to OGE, the line should be designed in such a way that it can also transport hydrogen in the future.

OGE Managing Director Thomas Hüwener said that in order to realize the project by the end of 2022, the planning speed would have to be increased tenfold.

Similar projects usually lasted between seven and ten years.

A planning approval procedure is to begin in May, with the actual start of construction following a decision in August.

"We now need a new Germany speed," said Olaf Lies with a view to the realization of the project.

Speed ​​is now required both in the federal government and in the state.

"We have a very ambitious schedule." However, the region is able to plan and build "in record time", said the energy minister.

The city of Wilhelmshaven and the district of Friesland signaled readiness for this on Friday.

The nationwide LNG plans from environmental groups are facing headwinds.

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) spoke on Friday in Berlin of "uncontrolled growth" and the "planning of overcapacities" at LNG import terminals and called on Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) to "finally substantiate the alleged need for the terminals with concrete figures". .

The DUH also refers to the assessment of the DIW research institute that fixed LNG terminals in Germany "do not make sense because of the long construction times and the sharp decline in natural gas demand in the medium term".

Meanwhile, several environmental organizations demonstrated in Hamburg against the German LNG plans.

They criticized the fact that LNG's harmful effects on the climate and the danger of importing fracked natural gas were ignored.

"Plans for new LNG terminals are springing up like mushrooms on the coast," said DUH Federal Managing Director Sascha Müller-Kraenner.

“Federal states, companies and locations are competing for the millions promised by the federal government.

To date, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck has not put any figures on the table as to whether there is actually an energy demand for the terminals.”