The closure of sugar production in Nakskov has prompted Climate Minister Samira Nawa (R) to renew her criticism of the gas pipeline to Lolland-Falster.
According to the minister, the development shows that caution is needed when tying major investments to gas as a long-term energy solution for industry.
- The fact that factories are closing despite a massive investment in a new gas pipeline, inaugurated in 2024, shows that we need to think very carefully before investing in infrastructure that does not belong in the future, Samira Nawa says in a written comment to Ritzau.
Nordic Sugar, however, does not agree that the closure in Nakskov changes the need for the gas pipeline. The company stresses to FemernBusiness that the pipeline will continue to play a central role when sugar production is consolidated in Nykøbing Falster.
- Our announcement yesterday that the plan is to close sugar production in Nakskov after the 2026/27 campaign does not change what we have previously said. Gas for our factory in Nykøbing, where production will now be concentrated, will continue to be crucial to our business in Denmark, says Jannik Olejas, CEO of Nordic Sugar, in a written comment.
Nordic Sugar therefore expects to consolidate its current biogas consumption at a single site from 2027.
- In addition, the total amount of biogas that we currently use at two factories will, from 2027, be consumed solely at the factory in Nykøbing Falster, Jannik Olejas writes.
Samira Nawa, by contrast, believes that industry should move away from gas and towards electricity.
- Fundamentally, we need to reduce gas consumption and increase electrification. That is how we free ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels, and it is how the companies of the future can become both competitive and green, she tells Ritzau.
The gas pipeline to Lolland-Falster was approved in 2021 and was established partly to supply Nordic Sugar’s factories in Nakskov and Nykøbing. The closure in Nakskov therefore means that one of the two sugar production sites will disappear, while Nordic Sugar consolidates production in Nykøbing.
