Sellin (dpa/mv) – In the discussion about a planned terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) off the island of Rügen, the Schwerin CDU parliamentary group referred to the need for LNG. “The German economy is urgently dependent on this gas, especially against the background of the nuclear phase-out and the phase-out of coal-fired power generation,” said energy policy spokesman Daniel Peters on Thursday. “For me, it is crucial that all legal regulations must be observed when approving the terminal.”

The Schwerin Economics Minister Reinhard Meyer (SPD) presented corresponding plans on Monday. According to this, two platforms are to be built about 4.5 to 6.5 kilometers from Sellin in the southeast of Rügen, on which floating liquefied natural gas terminals (FSRU) are to be moored. The energy company RWE is to implement the project on behalf of the federal government. After the officially opened terminal in Lubmin in mid-January, it would be the second in Western Pomerania.

Peters demanded that those responsible should answer questions from local citizens. “This is the only way to reduce legitimate fears, this is the only way to build trust in the project.”

Both the local communities and parts of the state government have recently expressed skepticism about the project. On the one hand, it is about the feared effects on the environment, but also on tourism, which is particularly important in the south-east of Rügen.