In view of the Ukraine war, Germany is looking for new sources of energy. Hope rests on the Emirate of Qatar. Both sides are promoting the cooperation. There are no concrete delivery decisions yet.
In the struggle for greater independence from Russian gas, the German government has concluded an energy partnership with Qatar. The country’s Energy Minister, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) signed a declaration of intent for deeper cooperation in Berlin on Friday.
Germany wants to get liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar. Cooperation on green hydrogen, which is generated using electricity from renewable sources, is also to be promoted. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Germany has been making increasing efforts to free itself from energy imports from Russia.
Create the necessary infrastructure for LNG imports
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) said after a meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, that Germany would create the infrastructure needed for LNG imports. “This is a big, big step forward and Qatar plays a central role in our strategy.” Several LNG terminals are currently being planned. They could also help to supply European countries without coastal access with liquid gas, Scholz emphasized.
According to the Chancellor, both countries want to deepen their relations. According to the Emir, Qatar is now an important investor in Germany and the trading volume has increased. After commitments at Volkswagen, Deutsche Bank, Siemens Energy, Curevac and Hapag-Lloyd, Qatar is the largest investor from the Middle East in the German economy. In the future, the foreign ministers of both countries should meet for regular consultations, said Scholz.
Qatar could supply Germany with LNG as early as 2024. “We want our US liquid gas plant Golden Pass in Texas, in which Qatar Energy holds 70 percent, to be ready by 2024 so that we can deliver to Germany,” said the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Gulf State, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani «Handelsblatt». Additional gas volumes would then be added a little later: “The expansion of production in our North Dome gas field will be completed in 2026, maybe even in 2025.” North Dome is the world’s largest gas field shared by Qatar and Iran. By 2026 at the latest, Qatari gas production is to be increased from the current 77 to 126 million tons of LNG.
In his press conference with Scholz, Qatar’s Emir spoke of expanding gas supplies in 2026 or 2027. “Europe is a very interesting market.”
In addition to energy issues, the meeting between Scholz and Sheikh Tamim was also about Afghanistan, according to them. Qatar plays an important mediating role in dealing with the militant Islamist Taliban, for which Scholz thanked his guest – as well as for supporting the Qatari government in the evacuation of German nationals and Afghan and international partners from the Afghan capital Kabul last summer.
Football World Cup in Qatar: All guests welcome
According to the Emir, Qatar wants to welcome all guests to the World Cup at the end of the year – regardless of their sexual orientation. “We don’t prevent anyone from coming to Doha,” he said when asked. “But we expect and want people to respect our culture.” In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment.
The German team will participate, Scholz explained when asked whether that was opportune. Many people from Germany would also travel to Qatar. “Nevertheless, it is also the case that we have of course discussed and are still discussing issues relating to people and civil rights.”
The human rights situation in Qatar has been the focus of international attention, especially since the World Cup was awarded – the major event will take place at the end of the year.
