The terminal will use floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) and will handle up to 7.5 billion m3 of LNG, around 8.5% of Germany’s needs. The permis relates to all parts of the land- and seaward infrastructure and a 30 km long high-pressure gas pipeline between the FSRU and the gas grid. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and Uniper are aiming for commissioning sometime at the end of 2022 or early 2023.

Lower Saxony’s environment minister Olaf Lies says that planning, approvals and building work at Wilhelmshaven is proceeding at eight times the usual speed, thanks to the efforts of the approval authorities.

“The rapid approval for the early start of construction shows the importance of the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven for the country’s security of supply. We are proud to be able to make a significant contribution to Germany’s independence in natural gas supplies at our site in Wilhelmshaven, hopefully before the end of the winter 2022/2023. In the medium and long term, our Green Wilhelmshaven hydrogen project will set the course for an even more climate-friendly energy supply,”- says Klaus-Dieter Maubach, CEO of Uniper.

Germany is seeking to fast-track LNG projects to replace Russian gas imports and pile-driving work at the terminal’s site began in May 2022. In phase 2 of development work, Uniper will expand the Wilhelmshaven terminal into a green energy hub to handle products for the energy transition, such as ammonia.

(Source: Tank Storage Magazine, July 7-2022)