Kavernenanlage Etzel, Underground energy storage facility in Friedeburg, Germany
Kavernenanlage Etzel is an underground storage facility for oil and gas located within a salt dome near Friedeburg in northwest Germany. The site uses natural salt formations to create multiple caverns that function as interconnected storage chambers for Europe's energy supply.
The facility was founded in 1971 to meet Germany's strategic oil storage needs and benefit from its location near Wilhelmshaven port. It gradually became a central hub for Europe's energy distribution network.
The visitor center explains how this storage system works and its importance for Europe's energy supply. Through exhibits and displays, people learn why such facilities matter for keeping energy flows stable across the continent.
You can learn about the facility through the on-site information center, which offers exhibits and detailed explanations about how it operates. The location is situated in a rural area, so getting there by car is the practical way to visit.
The salt formation beneath the site was created millions of years ago when this area was covered by ancient seas. This geological foundation gives the facility its natural sealing properties and stability for storing energy materials.
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