Schwerin (energate) - The federal-state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania rejects an LNG terminal off the island of Rügen and is calling on the government to examine alternative locations. This was made clear by minister-president Manuela Schwesig (Social Democratic Party - SPD) after a cabinet meeting in Anklam. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is ready to make its contribution to a secure and reliable energy supply in the future, said Schwesig. The state has created the conditions for bringing liquefied gas onshore in Lubmin, she said. "But the technical solutions must also fit our country," she said, adding that the German government's current plans to build a terminal five kilometres off the coast of Sellin were "not an option", as they do not serve the regional state, tourism, nature or the people of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Federal government to present needs
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's economics minister Reinhard Meyer (SPD) had already asked the German government "a few weeks ago" to examine alternatives to the current plans for an LNG terminal near Rügen. She reiterated this request and demanded that the government once again clearly state the need for further terminals so that a debate could be conducted on the basis of facts. Critics of the terminal plans, such as the environmental organisation Deutsche Umwelthilfe, accuse the government of having over-dimensioned the planned import capacities, which far exceed demand (
energate reported).
RWE has been commissioned by the German government to build an offshore jetty for LNG regasification ships (FSRUs) off the island of Rügen. From here, the gas will be transported via an almost 40-kilometre-long pipeline through the Greifswald Bodden to Lubmin, where there is sufficient capacity for onward transport and for use with the connecting pipelines of the Nord Stream pipelines. In addition to environmental organisations, many mayors on the island of Rügen have spoken out against the plans, fearing negative impacts on sensitive natural areas of the Baltic Sea and tourism in the seaside resorts (
energate reported). A joint
online petition by the mayors now has more than 165,000 signatures.
State parliament to explore alternative scenarios
The state parliament (Landtag) in Schwerin, whose next session begins on 20 March, is also likely to oppose the plans. In a joint motion with the Greens and the FDP (Liberal Democrats), the governing SPD and Left Party are calling on the federal government to "actively explore alternative scenarios" before approving individual projects for another terminal. In addition, the government must confirm the necessity of the terminal for security of supply. If it does go ahead, it should ensure that the infrastructure is only temporary and can be easily dismantled, or that it is "green gas compatible".
In a separate motion, the CDU (Christian Democrats) parliamentary group also calls for an examination of alternative locations and for a demand plan for LNG terminals on a European scale. In view of the current stable gas supply situation, Franz-Robert Liskow, leader of the CDU parliamentary group, sees "no need for the terminal". The CDU/CSU is also calling for the approval process for the LNG terminal off the island of Rügen to be suspended. However, the state does not have the legitimacy to simply suspend an approval procedure based on the rule of law, contradicts Falko Beitz, energy policy spokesman of the SPD regional-state parliamentary group.
BMWK: "Talks are still ongoing"
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In response to an enquiry from energate, the German economics ministry (BMWK) confirmed that it is in "constant contact" with the regional-state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The project planning for a state FSRU in Lubmin has not yet been completed, "the talks between the parties involved are still ongoing", a ministry spokeswoman said. /tc
