News
Jun 24, 2008
OPAL: planning approval processes have begun
New Internet website on the pipeline project at www.opal-pipeline.de
The preparations for the OPAL (Ostsee-Pipeline-Anbindungs-Leitung) – Baltic Sea Pipeline Link are progressing well: with the regional planning procedures for the construction of the 470-kilometer-long pipeline in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony now complete, the planning approval processes in the two German states have begun. The planning documents are currently on display in the administrative district of Dresden. In both Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony the planning approval processes are expected to be completed at the end of 2008 or the beginning of 2009. In the state of Brandenburg the pending regional planning procedure is expected to be concluded this year – after which the planning approval will begin here. At the moment the regional planning authorities responsible in Cottbus are examining the various alternative locations proposed for the construction of the planned compressor station, which will enable the transport of natural gas through the OPAL.
The natural gas pipeline is more than 470 kilometers long and will run through three German states: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg and Saxony. WINGAS GmbH & Co. KG has been commissioned with the planning and realisation of the pipeline. The OPAL is expected to be completed by 2011. From 2011 it will pick up the natural gas from the Nord Stream Baltic Sea pipeline in Lubmin, near Greifswald, and transport it to Olbernhau on the Czech-German border. The OPAL will link the Baltic Sea pipeline with existing natural gas pipeline networks and has a transport capacity of about 36 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The construction of the pipeline will take place mostly in 2009 and 2010.
Information on the OPAL natural gas pipeline on the Internet
Information on the project is now at available on the Internet at
www.opal-pipeline.de both in German and English. All those interested can inform themselves on the proposed route of the long-distance pipeline and its operation when it comes on stream. The new Internet website provides information on the current status of the project as well as the individual planning steps until the pipeline’s completion. Other sections of the website examine the technical implementation and the environmental compatibility. The homepage also explains the importance of the OPAL together with the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea for the supply security in Germany and Europe. In addition to the OPAL, another connecting pipeline for the Nord Stream offshore pipeline is planned, the NEL (Norddeutschen-Erdgas-Leitung – North German Gas Link). The NEL would run from Greifswald to Rehden and be connected to the existing natural gas pipeline network.
Hotline activated for residents and members of the public
Members of the public can now contact the OPAL hotline ( 0180-200 10 72) with their questions on the construction project. The hotline will answer all questions on the OPAL from Monday to Friday between 8 am and 8 pm. The cost per call from the Deutsche Telekom fixed network will be 6 cents. Prices from mobile networks may vary.
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