Economics Minister Robert Habeck and MV Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig on Monday in Lubmin Photo: FABRIZIO BENSCH/REUTERS
By Michael Sauerbier
Here we go! On Tuesday, two entrepreneurs from Potsdam will start building the first German liquefied gas terminal in the Baltic Sea port of Lubmin. From December, her company ReGas is to supply replacement fuel for the missing Russian fuel.
Excavators are deepening the port entrance, cranes are building a huge berth for the floating gas factory: a special ship belonging to the energy giant Total vaporizes liquefied gas from tankers into pipe gas for the German network. ReGas chartered it. The building permits for the port and pipeline connection were issued last week.
Time is of the essence: Russia has turned off its Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Lubmin. The heating season is approaching. Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) still sees “the chance to get through the winter well”. Provided it doesn’t get too cold – and the Germans save energy. On Monday he visited Lubmin.
Potsdam ReGas boss Ingo Wagner signing the contract with Total vice boss Jerome Cousin Photo: Olaf Selchow
But ReGas supervisory board chairman Stephan Knabe is still struggling with the authorities and paragraphs. “We are waiting for an exemption from the Federal Network Agency,” says the Potsdamer, “and for the emission control permit from the State Environment Agency.”
ReGas intends to submit the application “in the next few days”. Too short for the necessary 13-week period. Boy: “We expect an operating license to be presented.”
The RWE Group has more time with its liquid gas terminal in the Baltic Sea off Lubmin. It should be ready in autumn 2023 – and will get us through the winter after next.