Expanding LNG Terminal on Rügen: Deutsche Regas Searches for New Partners
- LNG facility restoration in Rügen: operator plans to reactivate the second vessel
Gearing up for a major expansion, Deutsche Regas, the operator behind the Mukran LNG Terminal on Rügen, is on the hunt for new partners. This move comes as the company aims to sell additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacities from the years 2027 to 2043 [1][2][3]. The goal? To ramp up its annual gas supply from the current five billion cubic meters to a staggering 13.5 billion cubic meters by 2027.
Currently, only the LNG ship "Neptun" is operational off Rügen, with the federally chartered "Energos Power" sitting idle. The arrival of a second ship, when activated, should make this ambitious target achievable. However, Deutsche Regas' relationship with the federal government has been strained, with allegations of unfair competition and disputes over canceled charter contracts [1].
While the Federal Ministry of Economics dismissed these accusations [2], the government is determined to protect its interests, should the need arise. In response, Deutsche Regas is actively engaging in talks with various providers of regasification ships, aiming to secure partnerships that can help drive this expansion [3].
The controversial Rügen facility began operation in September 2022. Despite concerns raised by the municipal authorities of Binz and environmental groups like the German Environmental Aid (DUH) over the potential impacts on tourism, nature, and climate, the terminal remains a crucial component of energy supply, particularly in eastern Germany [4]. However, utilization of the terminal has been relatively low, with a reported five percent during the first quarter of 2025 - a dip compared to the same period the previous year [5].
As Deutsche Regas looks to the future, potential partners might hail from various sectors. Energy companies with strong LNG trading capabilities, such as BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, and Eni, could be prime candidates, along with German utility companies like E.ON and RWE. Even East European energy firms could be in the running, given the terminal's strategic location near Poland [1][2]. Furthermore, investment groups or government entities, both local and international, may also show interest in securing long-term capacity at the terminal.
Such collaborations would not only boost the terminal's utilization but also contribute to Germany's larger goal of bolstering its LNG import capacity, thus diminishing its dependence on Russian gas sources [1][4].
- Despite the ongoing disputes with the federal government, Deutsche Regas is seeking partnerships with various providers of regasification ships to enhance the utilization of the Mukran LNG Terminal on Rügen, aiming to increase its annual gas supply from 5 billion to 13.5 billion cubic meters by 2027.
- Deutsche Regas, the operator of the Baltic LNG terminal, is in discussions with energy conglomerates such as BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, E.ON, RWE, and even East European energy firms, as well as investment groups and government entities, to secure long-term capacity agreements.
- The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of the measures provided for in Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, but the potential partnerships sought by Deutsche Regas could significantly contribute to Germany's overall objective of increasing LNG import capacity and reducing dependence on Russian gas sources.
