Sellin (dpa / mv) – Municipalities on the island of Rügen have renewed their criticism of plans to build an import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG). “We call on the federal government to suspend the obviously hasty plans and to initiate a broad dialogue with all interest groups and experts,” said a joint statement on Thursday by 34 mayors and thus almost everyone on the island.
“We, the mayors, will act against the project on Rügen’s coast with all determination and the means at our disposal.” They also announced the start of a corresponding petition.
In mid-February, Reinhard Meyer (SPD), Minister for Economic Affairs in Schwerin, presented plans to set up LNG import facilities off the island of Rügen. 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. Part of the project is said to be a federally chartered FSRU. The project is being implemented by the energy company RWE. After the officially opened terminal in Lubmin in mid-January, it would be the second in Western Pomerania.
The capacity estimated for the project recently caused a discussion. In a draft permit, 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year were mentioned for the connecting pipeline. That would clearly surpass other terminals. The Federal Ministry of Economics had pointed out that the floating terminal planned for the site had a significantly lower capacity and that it was only the maximum capacity of the connection line. In addition, we are still in the middle of the project planning.
The community representatives, on the other hand, spoke of the largest LNG terminal project in Europe and foreseeable damage to the environment and called for “more attitude and honesty about the project and its effects on nature, the landscape and the Baltic Sea”.
Municipal representatives of the island had previously made a statement against the project. A demonstration on the island is planned for Sunday. The Schwerin state government was skeptical, also with a view to possible effects on tourism, which is important on the island.
