Environmental Action Germany (DUH) has filed a complaint with the European Commission against the €40 million ($44.3 million) state funding for a planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in northern Germany.
Under EU law, state subsidies for energy projects are only allowed if they contribute to promoting the green energy transition and achieving climate goals, DUH said on Tuesday. This is not the case for the LNG terminal, according to a legal opinion.
“The approval of these millions of euros in state aid is based on very shaky grounds,” said DUH Federal Director Sascha Müller-Kraenner.
According to him, there are no reliable plans for the conversion of the terminal to renewable energy sources, even though the European Commission has approved the aid on condition that the terminal is converted to green gases.
DUH therefore urges the European Commission to withdraw approval for the state financing of millions of euros for the import of natural gas.
Müller-Kraenner said: “This money must be invested in effective climate protection measures and not in the continuation of an outdated business model based on fossil fuels.”
Since DUH is not directly affected by the financing of the LNG terminal, it cannot take legal action. However, the official complaints procedure clearly indicates that the environmental organization has concerns. According to DUH, the European Commission will then decide how to deal with this complaint.
