Last section of NEL approved

Construction of the last section of the North European Gas Pipeline (NEL) in Lower Saxony, at Winsen in the district of Harburg, can commence. A spokesman for the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) announced on Wednesday that it had approved the "Winsen south variant" between Harmstorf and Bütlingen. Lawsuits by residents meant that the route had to be changed.

NEL was officially commissioned back in November – but is currently operating at a capacity of just up to 20 percent.

Until it is finally completed, the gas from Siberia will be routed via existing pipeline systems at Sülstorf (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania). As of the fall of 2013, up to 21.8 billion cubic meters a year will be able to be transported to Rehden near Bremen.