Germany could head toward liquefied natural gas to replace Russian gas
Germany is taking on another road to get out of the clashing between Russia and the West on Ukraine, as it might seek financing LNG terminals to diversify the sources of its fuel.
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Germany's already launched LNG terminals that could spring into action to protect Berlin's alliances with the West.
Germany wants to finance liquefied natural gas terminals in a bid to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, Berlin said Wednesday in light of mounting tensions between Russia and the West, which could jeopardize Nord Stream 2.
"The government's plan is to develop LNG terminals in Germany," spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told a press conference in Berlin.
"Liquefied natural gas is one of the energy supply alternatives to gas imported from Russia," he added, taking note that several projects were underway, such as Brunsbuettel and Stade in the north.
Germany had launched LNG terminals in 2019, but the planned new ones have not been very beneficial due to administrative and financial difficulties.
The gas projects were largely private investments, which "should be accelerated," potentially with public support, Hebestreit said.
Liquefied natural gas terminals allow the import of gas via sea due to liquefaction, which facilitates the process of transportation.
For now, Germany does not have any terminals, and all its gas is being delivered through pipelines, much of which comes from Russia.
The terminals would allow Germany to diversify its gas suppliers, potentially increasing direct supplies from the United States, Qatar, or Canada down the road.
Germany uses gas for 26.7% of its total energy consumption and imports 55% of its gas from Russia.
In light of tensions between the West and Moscow over Kyiv, Berlin is torn between siding with Russia over their economic ties or the West and Ukraine due to their alliances.
Despite the United States constantly calling for taking a diplomatic path out of the crisis, Washington's actions reflect a completely different tone, from sending arms to Kyiv to strongarming Germany out of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline deal with Russia and now the positioning of US troops all over Europe.
Germany uses gas for 26.7% of its total energy consumption and imports 55% of its gas from Russia.
This could all stop as NATO is accusing Russia of planning on invading Ukraine and amassing 100,000 troops along its borders, though both Kyiv and Moscow have denied these allegations.
The close could come as the US could use Nord Stream 2 as leverage or as a tool against Russia in order to "deter" Moscow regarding Ukraine.
To circumvent any attempts of Washington's to sabotage Russia's economy, Moscow will work on cooperating with Beijing and supply the latter with gas, and this would be a game-changer since China is the world's largest importer of sea-borne liquefied natural gas.
