Germany's key role in Russian LNG import: a scandal?

Germany's key role in Russian LNG import: a scandal?

Dünkirchen, Frankreich - Germany plays a central role in the import of liquid gas (LNG) from Russia into the EU. In 2024, the Sefe company, which was previously known as Gazprom Germania and was nationalized after the Russian attack on Ukraine, imported more than six times as much LNG as in 2023. According to reports, SEFE imported a total of 5.66 billion cubic meters of liquid gas that arrived in Dunkirchen, France

The EU Commission and KPLER data confirm that the entire amount of Russian LNG was 20 billion cubic meters in 2024, which represents an increase compared to 18 billion in 2023. However, Sefe has explained that they do not deliver or have tried to deliver a Russian LNG to Germany. The exact proportion of the liquid gas from Russia introduced in Germany remains unclear, according to estimates it was between 3 and 9.2 percent in 2023, caused by the lack of transparency of the EU gas internal market.

a steady flow of LNG

Despite the EU's sanctions against Russian energy sources such as coal and oil, which were introduced as part of the reaction to the Ukraine conflict, the import of Russian LNG remains allowed to the EU, as long as existing contracts are not affected. Together with the great importers such as France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy, the gas is fed into the existing lines and transported further.

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) and more than 100 organizations are now calling for a Europe -wide import ban for LNG from Russia. On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine on February 24, 2024, the Federal Government is asked to prohibit the state -owned group Sefe's trade in Russian natural gas. The DUH sees Germany as the largest gas market in the EU in a special responsibility.

dependencies and demands

The dependence on LNG imports seems to be increasing in Europe, while exports are declining from Russia. Preliminary data for 2023 hardly show a reduction in import volume. Over half of the LNG deliveries from Russia will continue to find their way into the European gas network, which the DUH shows on the need to end the dependence on fossil fuels in order to stop the conflict in Ukraine.

While Germany and other EU countries continue to move into LNG from Russia, the focus is on alternative delivery countries such as Spain, France and Belgium to promote a transatlantic energy partnership. The discussion about energy supply in Europe remains tense because experts warn that the rain could get into the eaves if you make yourself too dependent on a single energy provider.

Overall, the EU's energy policy remains a hotly discussed topic in view of these controversial import decisions and geopolitical tensions. The demands for the end of the dependence on fossil fuels, both to support Ukraine and for environmental protection, are getting louder.

For more detailed information on the LNG imports and the role of Germany in this topic, the reports on Südkurier , institutional money