The proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to be developed along the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony in Germany could open up new markets for Qatar, and at the same time, help reduce the Western European country’s carbon emissions.
“The project would be the first LNG terminal in Germany, and this is an interesting possibility to open a new market for liquid gas from Qatar,” the Prime Minister of the Federal State of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, told Gulf Times on the sidelines of a forum held in Doha on Sunday.
According to Weil, the LNG terminal by German energy company Uniper, the main proponent of the project, would be established at the Jade Weser Port near Wilhelmshaven, along Lower-Saxony’s North Sea coast.
“The terminal is open for LNG from Qatar; I feel that LNG is an interesting market for Germany because we are phasing out nuclear energy and coal, and we are increasing the use of renewables in our energy mix…I hope we can realise the project very soon; so far, what we know is that the negotiations are in a very deep and concrete stage. We are looking forward to deepen our relations with Qatar in this area,” Weil said.
Similarly, German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel stressed that his country is expanding its energy mix, citing Qatar as one of the countries that could help Germany meet its renewable energy needs.
During the forum, organised by Qatar Chamber and the German Industry and Commerce Office Qatar (AHK), Weil lauded Qatar, saying it is Germany’s third largest partner in the Gulf region, and with more than 300 German companies operate here.
Weil also underscored Qatar’s diversification strategy, saying this opens more opportunities in infrastructure development, renewable energy, food industry, and digital services, as well as in research and education.
“These are areas where Lower Saxony could offer its support and expertise to Qatar; aside from stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but also the necessary transport infrastructure,” he said in a speech.
He also noted that Qatar “wants to be the largest Arab investor in Germany,” citing His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s pledge in 2018 to invest €10bn in Germany in the next five years. This brings the total Qatari investments in Germany to €35bn, he said.
“New businesses are expected to be established from Qatar’s partnerships with German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); all we have to say is that we are ready, and you are welcome to Lower Saxony.
“Nearly 40 SMEs from Lower Saxony are part of the German delegation to Qatar, which only shows the great importance of Qatar and the great interest of Lower Saxony has in deepening its cooperation with this country,” Weil said.
