The construction and operation of the pipeline, which is to connect the first floating terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Wilhelmshaven to the gas network, have been approved.

This was announced by the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) in Hanover on Friday.

Natural gas is to be transported through the approximately 26-kilometer-long pipeline, which will be landed at the planned LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven - in future the pipeline can also be used to transport hydrogen.

The preparatory work for the pipeline had already begun on a construction site in Friedeburg in the district of Wittmund.

The state office announced that the new underground line should connect the LNG terminal with the next connection to the gas pipeline network at the storage facility in Etzel, East Frisia.

Particularly time-critical parts of the construction measures were approved early on June 24th.

"I am pleased that we were able to complete this process quickly and effectively in less than four months," says LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier.

The procedure could serve as a benchmark for a rapid conversion of the German energy infrastructure.

Initially, the line will have an annual capacity of up to 10 billion cubic meters.

With a further expansion of the gas network in the hinterland, up to 28 billion cubic meters are possible in the medium term, according to earlier information from the gas network operator Open Grid Europe (OGE).

Around 150 million euros will be invested in the pipeline.

By importing LNG via Wilhelmshaven, Germany wants to reduce its dependence on gas supplies from Russia.

The liquefied natural gas delivered is to be fed into the German gas network via the pipeline at the end of the year after it has been converted into a gaseous state.