Denmark Grants Construction Permit to Nord Stream Pipeline Project
- Important milestone for construction start in 2010
- First of five country permits
- Result of close cooperation and extensive studies
Oct. 20, 2009 | Zug | Denmark’s Energy Authority has today granted a permit to Nord Stream AG to construct the Danish section of its planned 1,223 km natural gas pipeline. The pipeline is planned to transport natural gas through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany for connection to the European energy grid, and will pass through 87.7 km of Denmark’s territorial waters and 49.9 km of its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Nord Stream is currently in advanced discussions with the authorities of the four other countries through whose waters the pipeline will pass: Russia, Finland, Sweden and Germany.
"The granting of the Danish permit is an important milestone for the Nord Stream project. It is the result of extensive environmental and routing studies, close cooperation with the authorities and consultations with stakeholders and experts over the course of several years," said Matthias Warnig, Managing Director Nord Stream AG.
"We are very pleased that this permit has now been granted. The project is firmly on schedule. We have developed several solutions in all countries according to their requirements and we engage in an ongoing intensive exchange with the responsible authorities. This provides a sound basis for further steps in the process," Mr. Warnig added. "Our Nord Stream gas pipeline project is the most advanced of the new pipelines which Europe will require to meet its energy security and climate protection targets over the coming decades."
The Danish authorities are very experienced in evaluating large offshore projects, and determining the optimal route for this pipeline has been an evolving process. Several possibilities were investigated and carefully evaluated against many factors, including maritime traffic, fisheries, chemical munitions dumpsites, cultural heritage and many environmental considerations. The final route alignment East and South of Bornholm was decided upon in close dialogue with the Danish authorities: it accommodates different interests while mitigating environmental impact.
