Business Leader at EWE Justifies Natural Gas Deals - Environmentalists Criticize - European lawmakers have endorsed a commission-proposed directive aiming to safeguard employees from radiation-related hazards stemming from ionizing radiation.
In the North Sea, a new gas extraction project off the island of Borkum has sparked significant debate, with proponents and opponents voicing their concerns about its ecological and climate impacts.
Proponents of the project argue that it will enhance Germany's energy security by tapping into domestic gas reserves, reducing reliance on imports and bolstering the European gas market. Extracting natural gas could also provide economic benefits through job creation and potential revenue from gas sales. One-Dyas, the company behind the project, intends to use electricity from a nearby wind farm to power operations, which could minimise CO2 emissions during extraction.
However, critics argue that the project poses significant risks to the ecologically sensitive Wadden Sea region, including harm to reef structures and endangered species. There are ongoing legal challenges and protests against the project, with NGOs like Environmental Action Germany (DUH) highlighting unaddressed risks such as accidents and greenhouse gas emissions.
The laying of undersea cables could damage protected biotopes, such as stone reefs, which are crucial components of marine ecosystems. The extraction of natural gas could also contribute to climate change, as methane (a potent greenhouse gas) is often leaked during extraction and transport processes. This directly contrasts with targets to reduce emissions.
EWE CEO Stefan Dohler argues that natural gas will continue to be in demand for the foreseeable future. However, Professor Pao-Yu Oei from the Europa-Universität in Flensburg has expressed concern about a "fossil lock-in," warning that once the know-how and resources for gas production are established, it may be economically beneficial to exploit more gas fields.
Some parties are suing against the power cable to be laid for the drilling platform, fearing irrevocable destruction of protected reefs. The production amount is a relatively small contribution compared to Germany's total gas consumption, which was 78 billion cubic meters last year.
EWE has signed a supply contract with Dutch natural gas producer One-Dyas for gas extraction in German territorial waters. Dohler sees natural gas production as a contribution to energy security, stating that Germany is dependent on imports. However, Dohler also acknowledges that this transition will not happen overnight, and EWE will continue to offer natural gas to customers during this phase.
The gas extraction near the island of Borkum is controversial, with criticism from environmentalists and islanders over potential damage to the marine environment and nearby Wadden Sea National Park. Eleven Green district associations in northwest Lower Saxony have called on EWE to stop any contractual commitment for the gas extraction off Borkum.
Dohler asserts that the North Sea natural gas field will be depleted before gas usage in Germany and the Netherlands ends, eliminating the risk of a "lock-in" effect. However, One-Dyas has its sights on other nearby fields, such as the GEMS field, with a total volume estimated to be between 50 and 60 billion cubic meters.
The price of natural gas will increase due to emissions trading in the future, according to EWE CEO Stefan Dohler. Despite this, environmental organizations and the Green Party criticize EWE's decision to take over the extracted gas, stating it goes against their responsibility to protect the region's people and nature.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the gas extraction project off Borkum presents a complex set of issues, balancing energy security, economic benefits, and environmental concerns. The project's future remains uncertain, with legal challenges and protests ongoing.
- In the EC countries, the free movement of workers is a contentious topic because the new gas extraction project off Borkum has sparked debates about its environmental impacts.
- Proponents argue that the project could contribute to the freedom of science, as One-Dyas intends to use electricity from a nearby wind farm for extraction, advancing renewable energy technologies.
- On the other hand, critics are concerned about the project's impact on the environment, specifically the Wadden Sea region, which includes endangered species and sensitive biotopes. They worry about the 'fossil lock-in' effect in the environmental-science field.
- The finance and energy sectors are also closely watching the project's outcome, with the price of natural gas expected to increase due to emissions trading. However, the green industry and the Green Party criticize the project for potentially undermining the climate-change agenda.
