Lake Ammer's gas extraction process is set to commence in the near future - Drilling operations for gas extraction at Ammersee set to commence shortly
In the picturesque region of Bavaria, near the serene Ammersee, a controversial gas drilling project is set to begin, sparking a heated debate over climate responsibility, environmental concerns, and the future of energy production.
The project, owned by Energieprojekt Lech Kinsau 1 GmbH, is facing significant opposition from various environmental organizations, including Greenpeace Bavaria, Bund Naturschutz in Bayern (BN), and Fridays for Future. Over 35,000 people have signed a petition calling on Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, to halt the gas drilling [1].
The controversy revolves around two main issues:
- Climate Responsibility: Critics argue that the continued extraction of fossil fuels like natural gas contradicts Germany's and global commitments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025, in line with the Paris Agreement goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This drilling project is seen as perpetuating reliance on fossil fuels rather than advancing sustainable energy alternatives, thus delaying the energy transition necessary for climate mitigation.
- Environmental Concerns: The drilling poses potential risks to the local environment, including water contamination, habitat disruption, and other ecological impacts at the Ammersee site. The local drinking water source is in direct proximity to the drill hole, causing particular concern among residents.
Amidst this controversy, scientific and technological discussions in Bavaria are increasingly focusing on natural (white) hydrogen as a potential clean energy resource. This "new" resource has attracted attention for its possible role in the future energy mix, with exploration projects taking place in Northern Bavaria. Hydrogen could become a game changer in reducing fossil fuel dependence if successfully integrated, highlighting a stark contrast to fossil gas drilling endeavors.
The start of construction work for the drilling rig is scheduled for July 29, 2025, with crane parts for the assembly of the drilling tower already delivered. However, the project is currently under active opposition, with over 1,200 protestors recently participating in a march against the gas drilling near Ammersee [1].
The mayor of Reichling, Johannes Hintersberger (CSU), declined to comment on the upcoming drilling. Greenpeace Bavaria sees the impending start of the test drilling as a violation of Germany's and Bavaria's climate responsibility, while also raising concerns about the potential environmental damage [1].
As the debate continues, all energy policy projects for fossil fuels must now be put to the test, according to Greenpeace. The International Court of Justice in The Hague has ruled that all states are obligated to do their utmost to achieve the 1.5-degree target, adding further weight to the arguments against the gas drilling project near Ammersee.
References:
[1] "1,200 protesters against gas drilling near Ammersee." Augsburger Allgemeine, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/region/1-200-protester-gegen-gas-bohren-am-ammersee-43761798
[2] "Gas drilling in Bavaria: Greenpeace calls for an end to new gas extractions." Tagesspiegel, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/gas-bohren-in-bayern-greenpeace-fordert-ein-ende-neuer-gas-ausbeutungen/28152830.html
[3] "Hydrogen as a clean energy source: Exploration projects in Northern Bavaria." Bayern Innovativ, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.bayern-innovativ.de/en/hydrogen-as-a-clean-energy-source-exploration-projects-in-northern-bavaria
[4] "The Paris Agreement: Germany's commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025." German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Themen/Klimaschutz/Pariser-Klimaschutzabkommen/Pariser-Klimaschutzabkommen-englisch.html
- Despite the controversial gas drilling project in Bavaria's picturesque region, near Ammersee, discussions about natural (white) hydrogen as a potential clean energy resource are gaining traction, particularly in scientific and technological circles within Bavaria.
- The ongoing debate over the gas drilling project has led environmental groups like Greenpeace Bavaria to emphasize the importance of adhering to Germany's and global commitments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025, in line with the Paris Agreement, and to prioritize investment in sustainable energy alternatives.
- As the international community strives to meet the 1.5-degree target set by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, projects for fossil fuel production, such as the gas drilling project near Ammersee, are under scrutiny for their compatibility with environmental science, industry, and finance, as well as for their long-term effects on the environment.
