on the island of Rügen, the anger of the inhabitants against a gas terminal project threatening a unique ecosystem

The German government plans to build a platform off the island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea to import LNG, liquefied natural gas. Because since the war in Ukraine, Germany has been looking for new sources of energy to replace its imports of Russian gas.

Under the sun of early June, the island has everything from a postcard landscape, with its beach cabins placed on the white sand facing the blue of the sea where the first swimmers venture. The “Pearl of the Baltic” is one of the favorite destinations for tourists. But for how much longer? The 65,000 inhabitants of the island are very upset against the government’s project, supported by the Minister (Green) of the economy.

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On the spot, the prospect of seeing the arrival of the gigantic ships filled with methane worries the inhabitants. Thomas Kunstmann, a retiree at the head of a group of opponents of the terminal project, points to a point about a hundred meters from the coast. ” It is roughly at this level that you have to imagine these gigantic boats, which are up to 400 meters long. The noise of the generators will be heard and they will be visible from the coast.”

The pensioner insists, his island must remain intact. “It’s a shame for locals and tourists who come here for the calm and beauty of nature. Industrial facilities, they have them at home.”

“It really hurts when you see how lightly we treat such an island, such wealth that nothing can replace”

Thomas Kunstmann, head of a group of opponents of the terminal project

at franceinfo

For the inhabitants, it is out of the question to sacrifice the postcard. They multiply demonstrations and petitions, supported by the president of the region. Rügen is also known for its remarkable ecosystem.

Marlies Preller is the president of a local association for the defense of nature and she is worried about this unique environment. ” There are harbor porpoises, gray seals and many species of birds that stop here in the southern Baltic, she explains. And this is where we want to exploit the most polluting gas on Earth?

“Methane is 100 times more harmful than CO2. All that is an aberration. That an environmental minister does not know that is a scandal.”

Marlies Preller, president of a local conservation association

at franceinfo

The islanders are also wondering about the interest of a new terminal. Germany already has three and building a fourth would be superfluous, says Karsten Schneider, the mayor of the busiest seaside resort of Rügen. ” We have passed the first winter and we no longer have a power shortage.”

We have terminals in the North Sea whose capacities are not exhausted and which will be enough to supply everyone. Even a large part of the members of the Green Party doubt the necessity of this project.”

“It’s not like building a sandbox that you can remove when it’s no longer useful. There, it’s irreversible.”

Karsten Schneider, mayor of Rügen’s busiest seaside resort

at franceinfo

In an attempt to appease the disgruntled, the government promises one million euros in subsidies in return for the construction of the terminal. Officially, the commissioning of the site is scheduled for the beginning of next year.