- Habeck: First time to let courts decide on Borkum gas
Before potentially signing a German-Dutch agreement on gas extraction off the coast of Borkum, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck is waiting for court decisions. "This is not a legally binding decision today, it will certainly be challenged," said the Green politician in Berlin. Only after the relevant judgments have been made will a decision be taken on whether the agreement between Germany and the Netherlands will be signed. Environmental associations plan to take legal action against the project.
The responsible Lower Saxony state authority has granted the Dutch energy company One-Dyas a permit valid for 18 years. However, for the drillings that extend into German territory under the seabed, an agreement between both countries is also required.
Habeck: Impact on energy security minimal
"It's about a relatively small gas field," said Habeck. "It's less than the annual gas consumption of Germany and will be spread over decades." The impact on energy security or prices would be at most minimal.
"And it's a very, very sensitive ecological area," emphasized Habeck. The Wadden Sea National Park is "a pearl in nature conservation". The UNESCO World Heritage site could be withdrawn if extraction were to take place. "So there are many 'buts' to consider." These are now being examined, "that is, the nature conservation criteria". The public debate on whether this is the right place for gas extraction is also just beginning.
The projected gas production from the Borkum offshore field could potentially influence the decision on signing the agreement between Germany and the Netherlands. Despite the small scale of the gas field, environmental organizations are planning to challenge the project in court due to its impact on the Wadden Sea National Park, a significant ecological area and UNESCO World Heritage site.
