Germany's premier transmission system operator, OGE, on October 4, 2023, announced the successful completion of a major pipeline infrastructure, once again showcasing its efficiency and reliability.

According to the press release, the company completed the "Wilhelmshaven-Anbindungsleitung II (WAL II)" project, including a gas pressure regulator station, reaffirming OGE's commitment to securing Germany's future natural gas supply.

The pipeline is designed to facilitate the transport of hydrogen, paralleling the capabilities of its predecessor, WAL I.

Spanning a length of 2 kilometers, WAL II traverses industrial zones within the "Voslapper Groden" without encroaching upon any nature conservation areas. This achievement positions the pipeline well ahead of schedule in readiness for the Floating Storage & Regasification Unit (FSRU) "Excelsior," Germany's second floating import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

"I extend my gratitude to our team for consistently delivering exceptional results and adhering to the project timeline. The combined capacity of WAL I and WAL II pipelines is set to transport 100 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas annually starting from late 2023. This accounts for approximately 20 percent of Russia's historical gas imports to Germany and is equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately five million households," stated OGE's Management Board member, Dr. Thomas Hüwener, expressing his appreciation.

OGE had previously bolstered energy security with the prompt completion of the Wilhelmshaven Interconnector (WAL I) in December 2022. WAL I was swiftly constructed to safeguard energy provisions for private consumers and industrial sectors. Over the past nine months, natural gas has seamlessly flowed from the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven into Germany's long-distance gas network.

OGE's strategic planning extends to the "Etzel-Wardenburg-Drohne" supply pipeline, designed to transport new natural gas volumes from Lower Saxony to Germany's long-distance gas network. The first segment of this pipeline is on track for completion and commissioning in 2025, with the second segment scheduled for commissioning in 2026.

Both WAL I and WAL II pipelines have been configured to facilitate hydrogen transport, underscoring their pivotal role in reducing dependency on Russian natural gas and securing gas supplies for industry and households, with a focus on LNG today and hydrogen for the future.