Germany’s new floating LNG terminal in Lubmin has been delayed by several weeks, according to Der Spiegel magazine.
The new floating LNG terminal should be operational in early December, but the project is still in the approval process. The LNG terminal should go into operation before the end of the year, a spokesman for Deutsche ReGas – the terminal operator – told Der Spiegel.
Demand for floating LNG storage and regasification units (FSRU) has increased significantly this year as Europe faces an acute energy supply shortage as Russia has been removed from the supply mix for many buyers. It is a race against time for Europe to get these FLNG projects up and running.
The first FSRU, destined for use at the facility in Lubmin, Germany, arrived at the port of Mukran at the end of November. From there it would find its way to Lubmin, where it would eventually be deployed.
When the FSRU made it to Mukran, all the components needed to complete the LNG terminal were in the area – but Deutsche ReGas warned that commissioning could only happen after all the necessary permits had been obtained. The Federal Network Agency has exempted its device from tariff and network access regulation for 20 years.
The Lubmin terminal is to feed 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas into the German grid every year.
Germany also has other projects in the works, including in Wilhelmshaven, Stade and Brunsbüttel.
Germany and its EU counterparts face an energy crisis this winter and next, with next winter expected to be more critical than this one. Like other EU members, Germany faces high gas prices and is in the midst of sparring with other EU members over the level to cap gas prices in the bloc.
By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com
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