Germany’s cabinet approved on March 27 a plan to facilitate LNG project companies to invest in new LNG terminals, under the country’s efforts to diversify its sources of gas. Namely, LNG companies will have to pay only a 10% share of the connection costs for LNG.
According to Reuters, this legislation gives companies more scope to invest in LNG projects. This is because currently, pipeline companies have to put up the initial cost of the pipelines and then recoup this over the long term through network usage fees that form part of customers gas bills.
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Namely, Economy minister Peter Altmaier believes that it is key for the supply security of gas in Germany to use as many supply routes and sources as possible. For this reason, the government wants to remove obstacles for private sector investments in the construction of LNG import terminals.
In addition, Germany wants to complement gas from Russia, Norway and the Netherlands with other sources to give consumers more choices.
Currently, there are three LNG projects that are waiting applications for permits, including one at Brunsbuettel, supported by RWE, one at Wilhelmshaven, supported by Uniper, and a third at chemical firm Dow’s Stade site.
What is more, Germany expects further gas import volumes from the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline which will be in the construction process by the end of 2019.
Now, Germany’s has to be approved by the Upper House of Parliament, the Bundesrat, which represents Germany’s states.