Ostsee terminal booming: Rügen as the key to Germany's gas supply!

Ostsee terminal booming: Rügen as the key to Germany's gas supply!

In the German Baltic Sea, the import of liquid gas (LNG) has won over the past few months. According to a recent report by Welt Quarter 2023 to 10.2 terawatt hours (TWH). This marks a significant increase, especially if you calculate the comparatively small quantities from the first quarter.

With the opening in 2024 and the rapid increase in gas incorporation, Germany reacts to the increased energy needs that were accompanied by the Russian attack on Ukraine. The Federal Government has also promoted the expansion of LNG terminals on the North and Baltic Sea, since the terminals now make up around 8 percent of the country's total gas imports.

trial operation and challenges

The terminal in Mukran, Rügen, recorded its trial operation on February 24, 2024. Approval came from the State Office for Agriculture and the Environment Vorpommern. n-tv reports that the special ship "Energy Power" arrives in the port of Mukran, while the second ship, which "Neptune", followed after retrofitting work in spring 2024.

Despite these progress, there are challenges. German environmental aid has just published a significant criticism of the LNG imports in 2024. According to its report, the gas import stagnated at 6.9 billion cubic meters, which indicates a measly utilization of the terminal on Rügen. Only 8 percent of his capacity were used on average, which is sobering in view of the advantages that these projects should actually bring.

market development and occupancy of the terminals

In the entire first half of 2023, the gas feed-in by the German LNG terminals was 39.3 TWh. The terminal in Brunsbüttel in particular provided the largest feed -in at 12.4 TWH. Even if the developments on the Baltic Sea appear positive, it remains to be seen how the other projects develop. The second location in Wilhelmshaven, also under construction, recorded a feed -in of 2.9 TWh, but has not yet started the final company, reports duh .

The plans for the expansion of the LNG terminals provide for a firmer basic structure. The federal government will implement the construction of two other floating memory and re-evaporation terminals in order to meet the need for alternative gas sources. While critics, including the German Institute for Economic Research, refer to expansion as an exaggeration and point out the current lack of gas deficiency, the future success of LNG imports remains to be seen.

As long as the preparations and the trial operations of the terminals progress, it is clear: The energy transition in Germany is a complex undertaking and it remains interesting which course will be set in the future.