German LNG Terminals See Uneven Utilization as Nordsee Facilities Lead

Nordsee LNG terminals operated at higher capacity in 2024 compared to those on the Ostsee, while debates on cost, environmental impact, and future hydrogen use continue.

• Nordsee LNG terminals in Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel operated at approximately 65% capacity in 2024, significantly higher than the lower utilization of Ostsee terminals in Lubmin and Mukran.
• Germany's total LNG imports for 2024 were approximately 68 terawatt-hours, accounting for just 8% of the country's overall gas imports, despite a slight year-over-year increase in LNG's share.
• Critics, including the Deutsche Umwelthilfe, question the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of LNG terminals, arguing they provide limited contributions to energy security.
• The private operator Deutsche Regas claims unfair competition due to government subsidies and pricing strategies benefiting the state-backed Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH (DET).
• Plans to transition LNG infrastructure for hydrogen imports face challenges, with critics labeling current promises as vague; the first hydrogen-compatible facilities are projected to begin operation by 2027.

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