Sellin (dpa / mv) - Municipalities in the southeast of Rügen are mobilizing against plans there to build import terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG). "The federal government's project in all its facets and with its force will be an extraordinary turning point for the island of Rügen," said a joint statement by several mayors on Wednesday. There are considerable doubts as to "whether the location, scope and project as a whole are proportionate and justified".
On Monday, 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 community representatives speak of possible damage to the island's ecosystem, for example. "Even an alternative location on the island that is currently being discussed will not change anything." Meyer brought the port of Mukran in the north of the island into play.
The signatories are skeptical about the necessity of the planned facility and refer to existing terminals in Europe. It is also doubted that the construction of another German terminal would lower the LNG price. As a result, the money needed to build the terminals is not available elsewhere. The letter was signed by representatives of the Baltic Sea resorts of Mönchgut, Sellin, Baabe, Göhren and Binz. The southeast of Rügen is of great importance for tourism.
The state government was also skeptical about the plans. Environmentalists called them oversized.
