Energy Important German gas terminal could be paused for months
The leading German liquefied natural gas terminal in Wilhelmshaven could be unable to feed in new gas for months from the beginning of 2025. Apparently, the liquefied natural gas is not currently needed.
14.12.2024, 13:05
SDA
This is according to a market release from the operator Deutsche Energy Terminal. According to this announcement, it is planned that the capacity of the LNG terminal will not be marketed in the period from January 5 to April 1 and that the terminal will remain unused for freight deliveries.
However, the company emphasized that the planning could be adjusted again at short notice. Several media outlets had reported on an imminent interruption.
When asked, Deutsche Energy Terminal explained that its capacities had made a significant contribution to calming the market during the gas crisis - the gas supply had been stabilized and gas prices had fallen significantly in the meantime. It is now important to define a framework for further marketing for the terminals that is accepted by the market. Preparations are underway for this. "At the same time, we are taking into account the fact that our capacities must also be available at short notice as a crisis instrument."
Two more terminals to start operations soon
The LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven was the first to be put into operation in Germany and has been responsible for the majority of LNG imports to date. Other terminals are located in Brunsbüttel in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein and near Mukran in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. There are plans to commission a second terminal in Wilhelmshaven and another in Stade.
Deutsche Energy Terminal expects the two additional floating terminals to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2025. Critics fear that overcapacity will be created for the import of liquefied natural gas that is not needed.
