Drilling for gas now permitted in Borkum disagreement
In the North Sea, on the border between Germany and the Netherlands, a new natural gas field called "GEMS" is estimated to contain between 50 and 60 billion cubic meters of gas. This discovery has sparked a contentious debate, with the potential for extraction off the coast of Borkum dividing opinions and leading to legal challenges.
The provisional rights to the project development of the natural gas field off Borkum belong to RWE and Neptune Energy. If the estimates are accurate, the possible extraction from this field could cover about 15 percent of Germany's annual gas consumption. The power supply for the extraction is intended to improve the CO2 balance of the process, but critics view this as symbolic politics.
The N05-A platform, which will be used for the extraction, is currently under construction and is set to stand around 20 kilometers off Borkum. Extraction is already underway on the Dutch side, and the German part is to be developed as well. However, the proceedings are drawn out, with no clear outcome in sight.
One-Dyas, the company responsible for the project, has applied for immediate enforcement for the project, as a lawsuit by environmental organizations is blocking implementation. The Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) has ordered immediate enforcement for the project, allowing work to theoretically begin immediately.
However, many island residents on Borkum fear damage to the sea and the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Wadden Sea, and view the plans critically. The German Environmental Aid (DUH) speaks of a "slap in the face of the island communities" and considers it irresponsible for authorities to push through a permit whose impacts on climate and nature are still pending in court.
New lawsuits are likely due to the immediate implementation, and the courts must weigh energy supply against nature and climate protection. Fridays for Future activists plan to protest with a climate camp on Borkum, with more than 200 participants expected.
It's important to note that Germany consumes around 78 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, and of this, only 4.4 billion cubic meters come from domestic sources in recent years. The field off Borkum could deliver around 2 billion cubic meters per year, which is only a small part (around 2.5%) of demand.
Fossil gas extraction, despite green energy supply, still releases CO2 when burned. This raises concerns about the project's environmental impact, particularly given the ongoing climate crisis. The state government in Hannover is divided over the project, with Energy Minister Christian Meyer (Greens) rejecting it and Economy Minister Grant Hendrik Tonne (SPD) defending the decision.
As the debate continues, it's clear that the natural gas field off the coast of Borkum is a complex issue with significant implications for energy supply, climate protection, and local communities. The future of the project remains uncertain as legal challenges and protests persist.
