Germany scales back plans for LNG terminals due to supply crisis

Germany will reduce its planned capacity for liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the Baltic Sea due to local opposition and an easing of energy shortages, according to an anonymous German government source. Two floating LNG terminals, which will have an annual capacity of around 10 billion cubic meters, will be built in Mukran off the coast of Rügen instead of the previously planned 18 billion cubic meters. Deutsche Regas will take over from energy utility RWE as the operator of the floating fuel stations in Rügen, as RWE had announced it did not want to manage any LNG infrastructure in the long term. The project will be included in Germany’s LNG Acceleration Act, which provides an overview of the country’s LNG infrastructure plans.

After Russia invaded Ukraine and a sudden drop in Russian gas imports occurred last year, Germany accelerated its build-out of LNG infrastructure. Three floating terminals were built in Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbüttel and Lubmin, approved, and launched within one year, helping the country avoid an energy shortage last winter. The country wants to replace some of its floating terminals with permanent stations from 2026, and Germany rejected criticism from environmental groups about its planned overcapacity despite the fact that the German ports would also supply European neighbours.


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