War in Ukraine: gas production in the North Sea is an option again

Created: 03/08/2022, 14:10

By: Yannick Hanke

Due to the Ukraine war and the associated rethinking of energy supply, Lower Saxony's Environment Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) is bringing gas production in the North Sea back into play.

(Archive image) © Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa

The debate about Germany's future energy supply continues.

The Ukraine war could lead to a rethink.

Oil and gas drilling in the North Sea possible?

Hanover – In view of the Ukraine war waged by Russia's President Vladimir Putin, a debate about the future energy supply has flared up in Germany.

The natural gas supply through the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was stopped and the company had to file for bankruptcy.

Accordingly, alternatives are needed.

Lower Saxony's Environment Minister Olaf Lies (SPD), contrary to expectations, has now brought up oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

A reversal of the planned ban was ruled out until the end.

Gas production in the North Sea: Lower Saxony's Environment Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) brings the option of the Ukraine war back into the conversation

However, in a press conference on Monday, March 7, 2022, Olaf Lies made it clear that there would be no gas production in the national park.

The Environment Minister of Lower Saxony was referring to any drilling near the Wadden Sea.

The range for this is ultimately somewhat larger.

“So it makes sense to both look at the Dutch side and see what might be possible elsewhere in the North Sea.

We will need fossil energy for a long time to come," said von Lies.

The Social Democrat made it unmistakably clear that the situation is no longer the same as before the Ukraine war, which could also cause food prices to rise.

No to the extension of nuclear power plant runtimes: "We should end these debates quickly"

Lies knew how to reject the possible extension of nuclear power plant operating times.

"We should end this debate quickly," he told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung".

According to Lies, there is no way to keep the nuclear power plants running any longer.

After all, the shutdown plans have progressed far too far.

And new approval procedures would be necessary.

"It's not like you go to the camp and just get a new fuel rod," said Olaf Lies almost smugly.

A process that, according to Lower Saxony's Energy and Environment Minister, would take a year and a half - at least.

LNG terminals in Lower Saxony: liquefied natural gas instead of natural gas from Russia's President Vladimir Putin - encouragement from the SPD

Instead, Olaf Lies is relying on a massive expansion of wind energy, but also on speeding up the implementation of LNG terminals in Wilhelmshaven, Stade and Brunsbüttel.

As part of the move away from Russian natural gas, Germany wants to focus more on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The construction of corresponding terminals is considered a billion-dollar project, and completion is not expected before 2024.

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but also Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Stephan Weil (both SPD) had already publicly spoken out in favor of this.

Olaf Lies would like less headwind for wind energy projects - to "ensure self-sufficient energy in Germany"

With regard to new wind energy projects, Lies is hoping for fewer protests.

"There should be an increase in acceptance in society because the Ukraine war has made it very clear that independence from energy imports is the only basis for ensuring reliable, affordable and self-sufficient energy in Germany." , he said.

While the reactivation of decommissioned nuclear power plants is a taboo subject for Lower Saxony's environment minister, the FDP brought this measure back into play.

Because in view of the threatened energy supply caused by the Ukraine war, which is also causing petrol prices to skyrocket, "there shouldn't be any taboos".

That's what parliamentary group leader Stefan Birkner said in the Lower Saxony state parliament.

FDP in Lower Saxony brings reactivation of decommissioned nuclear power plants into play - should "no taboos exist"

For Birkner, one thing is certain in this case: "All options belong on the table".

The nuclear power plant in Grohnde near Hameln was only taken off the grid on New Year's Eve 2021.

According to the energy supplier PreussenElektra, restarting is possible without restrictions, at least in theory.

In the medium term, however, there would be a lack of fresh fuel elements and personnel.

After all, the decommissioning was prepared years ago, according to the operator.

Accordingly, gas production in the North Sea could gain new importance that was not considered possible a few weeks ago.

Olaf Lies would be happy.

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