Despite criticism, Lower Saxony has given the green light for the controversial project in the North Sea. However, the Federal Government has the final say, say the Minister of Economic Affairs and the Minister of the Environment.
According to Lower Saxony, the decision as to whether the controversial gas production off Borkum can begin now rests with the federal government following approval by a state authority. It is up to the federal government to conclude a corresponding agreement with the Netherlands, said Lower Saxony’s Economics Minister Olaf Lies (SPD). “This is the final decision. Ultimately, these are also energy and geostrategic decisions that the federal government must make here.”
The country’s Environment and Energy Minister, Christian Meyer, made similar comments. “The political decision as to whether gas will be extracted off the coast of Borkum still lies at the federal level,” said the Green politician.
Germany has been negotiating with the Netherlands since 2022
Meyer stressed that the approval by the responsible state office does not change his critical stance towards the project. “Lower Saxony wants to become climate neutral by 2040 and is relying 100 percent on renewable energies and heat. From a climate protection perspective, new fossil gas or oil production is therefore unnecessary,” he said.
According to the Federal Ministry of Economics, talks with the Netherlands on an agreement on the project have been ongoing since 2022. Environmental associations have already announced legal action against the approval by the Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology.
Source: Stern
