After the authorties in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have given the approval for the NEL pipeline (Nordeuropäische Erdgaspipeline), today the Lower Saxony Office of Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) also approved the construction of the pipeline in Lower Saxony.
The approval is valid for a distance of about 197 km from the River Elbe near Hittbergen (Lüneburg district) to Rehden (Diepholz district). Now all aprovals for the construction of the NEL pipeline are given. The beginning of the construction is planned for upcomming March.
The NEL pipeline is to lead from the Nord Stream landfall in Lubmin near Greifswald over a length of approx. 440 km past Schwerin and Hamburg to Rehden south of Bremen.
Like the OPAL pipeline leading to the Czech Republic, it will link Nord Stream to the European pipeline system.
The NEL pipeline project is being executed by energy companies WINGAS and E.ON Ruhrgas as well as Gasunie, the Dutch gas network operator. The operation of the NEL will start in autumn 2012.
[mappress]
Source: OPAL NEL, February 23, 2011;