Germany’s new law aims to make TES’ Wilhamshaven terminal a priority (source: Tree Energy Solutions)
Germany’s parliament took a step towards divorcing the country from Russian energy supplies after a new LNG acceleration law was passed to help speed up critical infrastructure to secure the nation’s energy supply
On 19 and 20 May, the Bundestag and Bundesrat both approved the LNG Acceleration Act, clearing the way for faster construction of LNG receiving terminals to buy gas from either the Middle East or the United States. Germany currently has no LNG terminals but does support an extensive, well-integrated piped gas network with Russia.The Tree Energy Solutions’ (TES) import terminal has been included in the list of priority projects supported under the new law.
The law is designed to reduce permitting and associated approval periods for the construction of onshore import facilities as part of the Wilhelmshaven Green Energy Hub development by TES, specifically at the Voslapper Groden location.
Such acceleration will support the targeted commencement of operations of gas imports from 2025 onwards. Subsequently, the aim is to replace fossil-gas imports with fossil-free hydrogen-based green gas imports to decarbonise and diversify the energy system from 2028 onward. TES said it has been preparing to obtain the required permits and to clarify nature protection measures since 2019.
TES co-founder and managing director Paul van Poecke said, “We are delighted the German Government has included the TES onshore terminal in the new LNG law. It is a recognition of the importance the project will play in ensuring the security of gas supply while concurrently accelerating the energy transition and fossil-free gas imports.”
“This will also bring clarity to the open season participants that are currently considering booking capacity through our terminal. The trust placed in us by the government is greatly appreciated and a reward for leading the development of the onshore terminal at Wilhelmshaven.”
TES announced an open season, commencing 25 April, to fast-track LNG imports into the Wilhelmshaven terminal.
The Wilhelmshaven terminal will ultimately comprise of six ship berths, 1.6M m3 of onshore storage capacity using eight onsite tanks, of which four will be available during the initial stage. The terminal will offer direct access to an extensive gas pipeline network, including existing salt caverns at Etzel and proximity to the Groningen gas grid infrastructure and the main connection to the Open Grid Europe gas grid.
