Lower Saxony urges the LNG terminal to be operated quickly in Stade!

Lower Saxony urges the LNG terminal to be operated quickly in Stade!

Something is brewing in Lower Saxony: The planned LNG terminal in Stade should finally start regular operation, and the anticipation is great. Economic Minister Grant Hendrik Tonne emphasizes the importance of the terminal for future energy supply. Right now Germany needs a reliable source for liquid gas to reduce the dependence on Russian natural gas imports. The first steps have already been taken with the support of the federal and state governments, but we are faced with a hanging game that should be ended as soon as possible.

How the ndr is largely completed in Stade. The ceremonial opening of the floating terminal, which was designed as a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), is planned for the end of 2023. Unfortunately, the responsibility lies with Lower Saxony's government and many hurdles still have to be taken.

Current challenges

In fact, there are some tricky problems that need to be solved. The Minister of Economic Affairs emphasizes that the disputes between the state operator Deutsche Energy Terminal and the Hamburg consortium Hanseatic Energy Hub are driving the delays. The transfer of the special ship "Energos Force", which has been acting as a verifiable floating terminal since March 2024, has also stalled. Instead, the ship currently does its services in the Mediterranean.

The wikipedia further explains that the completion of the floating terminal and the construction of an inpatient terminal are planned by 2027 at the latest. Overall, these systems are intended to offer a capacity of up to 13.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, which covers around 15% of the total German gas requirement. These investments of around one billion euros are urgently necessary to secure the energy supply in the long term.

on the acceleration it matters

The IHK Elbe-Weser therefore demanded more speed. They see the uncertainty that arises from the delays and demands clear announcements from the federal government and companies. "There is something here," says Tonne and underlines how crucial an agreement is in this situation. Talks between the Federal Ministry of Economics and the responsible companies are already underway, but the patience of everyone involved is put to the test.

The LNG acceleration law, which came into force on June 1, 2022, should help to shorten the approval process. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the chosen measures are sufficient to end the hanging game. The LPG experts emphasize that the expansion of the LNG terminal due to the geopolitical location and the dependence on fossil energy providers is of essential importance in the future and thus also on the challenges of Ukraine War to react adequately.

Overall, it remains to be hoped that the difficulties will be cleared soon and that Lower Saxony proves a good hand in energy policy in order to set the course on renewable energies and independence from fossil fuels. After all, it's not just about economic interests, but also about ecological and social responsibility for future generations.