The challenge
To reorganize its energy supply in challenging geopolitical times, Germany needs a fast-track strategy for a new gas pipeline infrastructure.
To reorganize its energy supply in challenging geopolitical times, Germany needs a fast-track strategy for a new gas pipeline infrastructure.
Building on forty years of experience, Arcadis GIFTGE Consult provides design and consultancy services for a new link in Germany‘s pipeline grid.
A new pipeline connects offshore LNG supplies to onshore distribution networks for a more resilient national energy supply.
Energy security is always a top concern for Germany, as people across the country need reliable, cost-friendly access to power in for their homes and businesses, and to do countless other things in daily life. The devastating war in Ukraine has created even more of a focus on this topic within Germany, as Europe’s energy network has come under threat. This has created an urgent need for transformation with an eye towards better securing Germany’s energy future. Liquefied natural gas (LNG), delivered by sea, can play a key role in this effort but only if Germany can quickly put the necessary terminal and pipeline infrastructure in place. To do so, significant planning and technical obstacles need to be overcome. For instance, in Brunsbüttel, in northern Germany, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) is under construction, which will replace an older, stationary LNG terminal, but the new facility needs to be connected to the existing network. Arcadis is part of a consortium that is helping to deliver the new 55-kilometer pipeline.
Arcadis GIFTGE Consult along with consortium partners (ARGE GME) is on behalf of the network operator Gasunie to plan and implement of the new pipeline route. Based on forty years of experience in energy infrastructure, the scope of services for the new energy pipeline – known as ETL 180 – includes the preparation of the permitting documents for the final route definition, the actual route planning, the clarification of rights-of-way, the tender and contract award management for the civil engineering works, and the supervision of the execution of the project. To ensure maximum speed and efficiency, our experts approach focus on delivering agile, parallel processing of procedural steps and digitization of processes. In this way we are helping ensure that the project is delivered in a timely manner, and also to the safety and quality standards.
The new LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel and its onshore connection will diversify Germany's gas supply structure, leading to greater energy independence and resilience. Once completed, this project will mean that people living throughout Germany are less subject to uncertainties related to trade and geopolitical conflicts, as well as wars. ETL 180 is an important link in this new infrastructure, which will be realized in record time thanks to the agile and result-oriented cooperation of all planners, stakeholders and decision makers. The urgent restructuring of energy infrastructure is currently one of the biggest challenges facing the German people. Through the acquisition of GIFTGE Consult Arcadis has been able to scale-up our expertise to support wider energy diversification across the country.