Energy - Abandoned lignite village to be revived
The empty village of Morschenich in the district of Düren near the Hambach open-cast mine, which was saved from being dug up for lignite, is to be revitalized. An agreement to this effect was signed on Thursday by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the municipality of Merzenich and RWE Power AG. "Morschenich-Alt is the first of a total of six former lignite villages to be revitalized as part of the early coal phase-out in 2030," announced the NRW Ministry of Construction.
The village belongs to the municipality of Merzenich in the district of Düren. Almost all of the houses in the largely abandoned village belong to RWE Power AG. The municipality should now be able to buy them back. The other five villages are located on the Garzweiler open-cast mine in the town of Erkelenz.
"Around 90 million euros will be made available from the Coal Region Investment Act for the acquisition of land by Merzenich and the comprehensive renovation and development of the village," said Construction Minister Ina Scharrenbach(CDU) according to a press release. Morschenich is to become the first future village in the structural change of the Rhenish mining area. Her ministry is responsible for revitalizing villages that are no longer affected by mining.
Originally, the village with 140 houses was to be dug up. Almost all of the former residents have already been relocated to Morschenich-Neu. The old village is to be called "Bürgewald" in future.
The mayor of Merzenich, Georg Gelhausen (CDU), called the planned purchase of the village "a unique opportunity to shape its own future". On behalf of RWE Power, CEO Lars Kulik explained that by transferring the properties in Morschenich-Alt, RWE was fulfilling its commitment from the political agreement on the 2030 coal phase-out.
A declaration of intent by the three parties also states that the development of the site can only succeed if peace can be achieved with the activists who are staying in the nearby Hambach Forest, in a camp nearby and in the town itself. A mediation concept had been developed between the state and the municipality. Contact with the activists already exists and initial steps have been agreed.
The Hambach Forest near the coal mine was the scene of mass protests against a planned clearing in 2018, among other things. After the end of coal mining, the open-cast mine is to be converted into a lake.
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- The Garzweiler open-cast mine, located in the town of Erkelenz, is home to five additional villages that are also set for revitalization.
- RWE Power AG, a key player in the lignite industry, has agreed to transfer properties in Morschenich-Alt, contributing to the village's revival.
- North Rhine-Westphalia's Municipalities, such as Erkelenz, are participating in the project to restore mining-affected villages, including those near the Hambach open-cast mine.
- Lignite mining, a significant source of energy in the region, has led to the abandonment of several villages, but initiatives like the revitalization of Morschenich aim to change this.
- The CDU, represented by Construction Minister Ina Scharrenbach, has allocated 90 million euros from the Coal Region Investment Act to fund the acquisition of land and the renovation of the village in Morschenich.
- The nearby Hambach Forest, often the scene of anti-coal mining protests, plays a role in the revitalization process, as the decreasing reliance on open-cast mining can only be achieved with harmony between the state, municipalities, and activists.
Source: www.stern.de
