More Compression Urged For German Gas Grid
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Germany's four gas transmission system operators (TSOs) have issued a draft national gas grid development plan (NEP Gas) that calls for 483,000 hp (360 MW) of additional compression by 2022.
The firms said a slight decrease in natural gas consumption was the most likely scenario. But even with less demand, the firms said Germany will need about 125 mi. (200 km) of new pipelines and 121,000 hp (90 MW) of additional compression by 2015, at a cost of €600 million. The requirement would rise to 450 mi. (730 km) of pipe and 483,000 hp (360 MW) compression by 2022, for a total cost of €2.2 billion.
The TSOs stressed that gas-fired power plants and storage sites will play a significant role in the grid development. The favored demand scenario sees the capacity of gas-fired power generation increasing 40% until 2022.
The operators will hold a workshop on the draft plan Feb. 29 in Berlin and close the comment period on March 9. They are due to present a final 10-year plan to the Federal Network Agency, the national gas grid regulator, by April 1.
For more information: www.netzentwicklungsplan-gas.de
