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Jade-Weser-Port in Wilhelmshaven: Objection to terminal filed
Photo: Sina Schuldt / dpa
In 2022 and 2023, several floating terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be put into operation on the German coast.
They should make a decisive contribution to breaking free from Germany's dependence on Russian gas.
But against one of the planned plants in Wilhelmshaven, the German Environmental Aid has now demanded an immediate halt to construction.
The construction threatens the irreversible destruction of an underwater biotope, and porpoises would also be endangered, the environmental protection organization said.
In addition, tubular steel piles have to be rammed into the seabed.
"This causes high noise emissions," according to the organization.
»The destruction of our livelihoods opened the door«
Nevertheless, the start of construction was approved without disclosure of the documents and the participation of environmental organizations.
The environmental aid have therefore lodged an objection to the decision of the State Office for Water Management, Coastal Defense and Nature Conservation (NLWKN).
"Instead of finally consistently initiating the change towards a climate-neutral society, the floodgates are wide open to the destruction of our livelihoods," criticized the federal director of environmental aid, Sascha Müller-Kraenner.
Especially in times of crisis, the principles of the rule of law must be preserved.
This applies in particular to climate protection and environmental law.
Habeck expected in Wilhelmshaven on Thursday
The first work on the floating terminal is scheduled to begin this week, as announced by Lower Saxony's Energy Ministry.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) is expected in Hooksiel near Wilhelmshaven on Thursday to sign a declaration of intent to expand the location "to become a hub for clean energy for Germany".
LNG imports should start by early 2023 at the latest.
As of mid-April, Germany still obtains around 35 percent of its gas requirements from Russia.
For weeks, the federal government has been trying to free itself from this dependency, among other things, the supply from Norway and the Netherlands has been increased.
In the eyes of the federal government, gas is considered a bridging technology to create the transition to purely renewable energies.
According to the government, however, new unloading stations must also be built so that liquid gas can also be imported on a large scale from the USA or Qatar, for example, such as the terminal planned in Wilhelmshaven.
The environmental aid is now criticizing that the terminals are being pushed ahead with great haste.
So far, Habeck has not presented any figures and data that "the planned terminals are really necessary, taking into account the existing possibilities for energy saving and the procurement of natural gas".
apr/dpa
