Published: 4. 7. 2024

The Czech Republic continues to strengthen its energy self-sufficiency, the basis of which is to reduce its energy dependence on Russia. Construction of Germany’s first onshore LNG terminal for the processing and further transport of natural gas was inaugurated today near Hamburg at the mouth of the Elbe River in the North Sea. Under the Hanseatic Energy Hub consortium, the terminal will be operational here as early as 2027. In cooperation with the government, last year CEZ Group contracted a long-term annual capacity of 2 billionm3 at Stade.

“We are constantly working to ensure that the Czech Republic has the best possible future for our energy sector. This means that we continue to take measures to modernise it, such as developing nuclear units or improving the investment environment for renewables, but also measures to strengthen energy security, such as expanding TAL’s capacity to wean us off our dependence on Russian oil. We are also engaged in negotiations on gas supplies to replace imports from Russia or investments in gas infrastructure in the form of storage tanks and pipelines,” said Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela: “An essential part of all this is the capacity to import liquefied natural gas from overseas. After securing capacity at the floating LNG terminal in the Netherlands, last autumn, in cooperation with CEZ, we managed to secure capacity at the first German onshore terminal, Stade. In three years from today’s start of its construction, it will contribute to covering more than a quarter of today’s Czech consumption. Thanks to its advantageous location, it can also contribute to reducing the charges for gas transport to the Czech Republic.”

“The situation on the gas market in Europe is gradually stabilising, but we must be prepared for possible further fluctuations. We are delighted that thanks to the cooperation of the Czech and German governments and the helpfulness of our partners from Hanseatic Energy Hub, we can also be present today at the start of the construction of the first onshore terminal in Germany in Stade. One of the key elements for the transition to a zero-emission energy sector in the coming years will be gas-fired power plants in combination with renewables, requiring a stable supply of fuel, which LNG terminals can provide. Thanks to the capacity in Stade, the Czech Republic will secure long-term LNG supplies and at the same time the possibility to obtain emission-free gases after the conversion of the terminal.” said Pavel Cyrani, Vice-Chairman of the ČEZ Board of Directors.

Full press release here