Energy Ministry persistently denies gas extraction from Borkum, maintaining its position.

In a significant move towards climate protection, Lower Saxony, a federal state in Germany, has taken several steps to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The state aims to become climate-neutral by 2040, relying 100% on renewable energy and the heat transition.

The Lower Saxony State Parliament has passed the Climate Protection Act, requiring a reduction of CO2 emissions by 75% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and achieving climate neutrality by 2040. Minister of Energy and Climate Protection, Christian Meyer, is at the forefront of this initiative, expressing concern about the unique habitat of the Wadden Sea and the possible destruction of nature through gas extraction.

Recently, the federal government announced that supply security is guaranteed, and there are no supply bottlenecks. This announcement comes after the end of the gas shortage situation on July 1, 2025, and the conditions for the gas alert stage no longer apply. The improvement in the supply situation has been attributed to the stable gas flows in Germany and Europe, and the falling natural gas prices since the 2022 energy crisis.

However, the future of gas extraction off the coast of Borkum remains uncertain. The Lower Saxony State Agency for Mining Affairs has issued an immediate enforcement for the 2024 approved plan approval decision for directional drilling for gas extraction off Borkum. The decision on whether gas extraction off Borkum is permissible will be made by the courts.

The organization that spoke out against the approval of gas extraction by One-Dyas in the participant procedure at the Landesbehörde für Bergbau und Energie is the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH). They, along with the National Park Authority, NLWKN, and the Ministry of Environment, have expressed extensive arguments against the approval of gas extraction by One-Dyas, citing the climate, nature, and environmental damage caused by gas extraction on the outskirts of the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea.

The construction of LNG terminals suitable for green gases and the increasing shift of gas consumption to renewable energies and hydrogen are decreasing the demand for additional gas. Lower Saxony will also continue to rely on offshore wind energy in the North Sea and the heat transition.

Future-proof solutions for heating include heat pumps, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy, quarter solutions, large heat pumps, storage, and near and distant heat from biogas plants. As Lower Saxony moves towards a more sustainable future, it will use less and consume less climate-damaging fossil oil and gas.

Minister Meyer maintains a fundamental rejection of gas extraction off Borkum, united with the state in achieving climate goals and expanding renewable energies on land and at sea. The state's commitment to renewable energy and the heat transition is a testament to its dedication to a greener and more sustainable future.

Energy Ministry persistently denies gas extraction from Borkum, maintaining its position.