Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the special session of the Bundestag on the war in Ukraine
Photo: dpa / Kay Nietfeld
Berlin. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced the rapid construction of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Germany in response to the Ukraine war and dependence on Russian natural gas. The SPD politician named Brunsbüttel and Wilhelmshaven as locations in the Bundestag on Sunday. In addition, a coal and gas reserve should be built up.
An LNG terminal that receives gas today can also receive green hydrogen tomorrow, said Scholz. Although there are many terminals for liquefied natural gas in the European Union, which comes from the USA or Qatar, for example, there have not yet been any in Germany. There have been plans for this for a long time, but the gas industry complained about the inadequate framework conditions for investments. Brunsbüttel, Stade and Wilhelmshaven were discussed as locations for an LNG terminal.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) had already announced that he wanted to push ahead with the construction of a German LNG terminal. A paper from the ministry said that financial state support was to be examined. The plant, which stores LNG in liquefied form and converts it into gaseous natural gas if necessary, must be built in such a way that it is “hydrogen-ready”. This means that the plant can also be used in the future to handle climate-friendly hydrogen. However, LNG is more expensive than Russian natural gas.
Habeck had also announced a coal and gas reserve – unlike a state oil reserve, there is no such thing. Germany is therefore still heavily dependent on Russian supplies for fossil fuels.
Scholz also said that the federal government had decided to increase the storage volume of natural gas by two billion cubic meters via so-called long-term options. In addition, additional natural gas should be purchased on the world markets, linked back to the European Union.
The Chancellor said that more would be done to ensure Germany’s secure energy supply. The import dependency of individual energy suppliers should be overcome, he emphasized with regard to Russia. “A responsible, forward-looking energy policy is not only crucial for our economy and our climate, but also crucial for German security.” The faster the expansion of renewable energies in Germany is promoted, the better. Federal Minister of Economics Habeck wants to launch comprehensive measures by Easter.
The Chancellor also said that the federal government is keeping an eye on high energy prices. The coalition had already agreed on a relief package. The federal government will get this up and running quickly. “We will not leave the citizens and companies alone in this situation,” said Scholz.
Meanwhile, the Union has already proposed a suspension of the nuclear and coal phase-out to reduce dependence on Russian gas. If there were a supply stop for Russian gas, “the plans to phase out nuclear power and coal must clearly be put to the test,” said the energy policy expert of the Union faction, Mark Helfrich (CDU), the “Welt” on Friday. “The security of supply in Germany must not be endangered under any circumstances.” Agencies/nd