Status: 12/17/2022 1:23 p.m
The first German floating import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) went into operation in Wilhelmshaven. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the quick implementation.
The SPD politician spoke on Saturday of the “new pace in Germany, with which we are advancing infrastructure”. It is a model for other infrastructure projects. “In this respect, it is a good day for our country, a good sign for the whole world that the German economy will be able to continue to be economically strong, to produce and to deal with this challenge,” said Scholz, looking at the energy crisis. The terminal should help to become independent of pipeline gas from Russia.
LNG plant built within a few months
Scholz emphasized that the decision for such a plant was only made after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in the spring. Many would have said it would not be possible to commission an LNG terminal this year. “The opposite is true,” said Scholz. Within a few months, a new, around 26-kilometer-long connection pipeline and a new pier were built at an existing handling facility north of the deep-water port JadeWeserPort. The Chancellor thanked the workers and engineers, companies and authorities on Saturday.
Great security precautions at the opening
In addition to the Chancellor, Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) also attended the ceremony. Since the security forces feared protests, several roads were closed in the vicinity of the Voslapper Groden handling facility – especially in the Baederstrasse area. In addition, there was a drone flight ban within a radius of 2.5 kilometers.
LNG Terminal: Wastewater may be discharged into Jade
On Friday, the state agency for water management, coastal protection and nature conservation gave the green light for the commissioning of LNG terminals with its permission for sewage to be discharged into the Jade. Specifically, it was about the special ship “Höegh Esperanza”, which arrived in Wilhelmshaven on Thursday, being allowed to pump chlorine-containing sewage into the Jade. The chlorine ensures that the ship’s pipes remain free – a total of around 35 tons are said to be discharged into the water untreated every year.
Environmentalists criticize the procedure and fear damage to the Wadden Sea. They point out that there are chemical-free cleaning processes. According to the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal Defense and Nature Conservation (NLWKN), the legal requirements are met. NLWKN director Anne Rickmeyer pointed out that the discharges would be strictly controlled based on measurements around the ship and in the Jade Bay.
AUDIO: LNG terminal: BUND wants to sue “with high probability” (9 min)
Habeck: An alternative would be winter with a lack of gas
Habeck showed up in the ARD daily topics convinced that the permit for the terminals would stand up to lawsuits. “We are acting under the greatest pressure to ensure security of supply in Germany.” That means that in participatory processes “we sometimes have to shorten processes,” said the minister. You can’t find that so good, but the consequence would be “a winter with a lack of gas”.
BUND: The opposite of climate-responsible politics
Environmental groups criticize the project as “oversized, climate-damaging infrastructure”. The chairman of the Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND), Olaf Bandt, said on Friday: “The planned construction of LNG terminals goes far beyond what would be necessary to get through the coming winters well.” The federal government has thus consolidated a fossil infrastructure for decades – and is pursuing the opposite of climate-responsible politics. Band calls for the operation of the terminal in Wilhelmshaven to be limited in time to a much greater extent. Together with other associations, the BUND is examining whether to sue for a change in the permit.
VIDEO: LNG ship “Höegh Esperanza” arrives in Wilhelmshaven (12/15/2022) (3 Min)
additional Information
