LNG terminals in Germany: billion dollar investments before the end?

The topic of liquid gas (LNG) in Germany continues to cause discussions. The first LNG terminal was opened in Wilhelmshaven two years ago, followed by other terminals in Lubmin and Brunsbüttel, which also went into operation shortly after the opening. The construction of these import terminals should replace the eliminated natural gas deliveries from Russia, which were discontinued after the Ukraine secretary. This leads to economic challenges, since LNG is usually more expensive than pipelinegas.

The current operator reports are in contrast to the original expectation. According to Epoch Times leads the low utilization of terminals to economic concerns. In particular, the terminal on Rügen had a load of only 10%in 2024. The two other terminals, in Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel, reach an occupancy rate of 64% and 68% by mid -December. Despite a stable import of around 200 GWH per day since spring 2023, the utilization of the terminals in the second quarter of 2024 was only 48%. Furthermore, on December 15, 2024, Germany only reported an import of 115 GWh.

The investment costs for LNG terminals are high. These are around 1.5 billion euros for the terminal in Brunsbüttel, and the operating costs are estimated to be over 200,000 euros per day. Some sources, such as energy future , criticize the state funding of LNG and demand a reversal of the "LNG-Rausches". Scientists confirm that the emissions of LNG are particularly harmful compared to coal, especially in fracking extraction that is common in the USA.

In addition, experts believe that LNG exports from the United States have a 33% higher climate-damaging balance than coal for over 20 years. Despite the criticism, the Federal Government holds on the LNG expansion plans because the terminals are considered essential for gas supply. In total, the federal government is planning up to 13 LNG terminals in Germany, with five floating terminals being in operation. While the current LNG deliveries only make up about 6.5% of total gas imports, the question of the long-term meaningfulness of these investments increasingly arises.