Environmental group objects to LNG terminal extension in Brunsbüttel

Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has lodged an objection against the planned extension of operations for the LNG terminal ship "Höegh Gannet" at the hazardous goods facility in Brunsbüttel. The environmental organization criticizes the approval process, which continues to be based on the LNG Acceleration Act despite the end of the gas crisis, and accuses the operating company, Deutsche Terminal GmbH (DET), of significant legal and substantive deficiencies in the application documents.

Originally, the "Höegh Gannet" was intended for provisional operation at the hazardous goods facility for a maximum of twelve months. According to DUH, essential environmental and safety assessments are still missing for the currently requested extension of operation until 2029. DUH also assumes that the existing exemption for exceeding limits for air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde will be extended for the new period. This would allow for a total of six years of operation with such exemptions.

DUH's federal managing director, Sascha Müller-Kraenner, stated that crucial environmental and safety impact studies are still lacking for the planned three-year extension at the current hazardous goods facility. He argued that a six-year exemption from environmental standards would severely endanger the health of local residents and environmental protection. Müller-Kraenner criticized the LNG Acceleration Act as a means to approve projects that would otherwise be unfeasible, especially given the eased gas supply situation. He called for a re-evaluation of the "Höegh Gannet" and other planned LNG terminals.

Furthermore, DUH questioned the terminal's contribution to supply security, citing that the LNG Acceleration Act requires a minimum annual input capacity of 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The "Höegh Gannet" reportedly only handles 3.7 billion cubic meters according to application documents. DUH also pointed to declining natural gas demand in Germany and low utilization rates at existing LNG terminals. The organization demands that the responsible authorities do not grant an extension until all necessary assessments and public participation procedures have been completed.