Opsterland is fighting against high-voltage lines along the A7!

Opsterland is fighting against high-voltage lines along the A7!

The debate about the planned 380 kV high-voltage line in Friesland is gaining momentum. The municipality of Opsterland has taken a clear position and has spoken out vehemently against the route along the A7. In an official statement, the local council announced that it would use all legal means to prevent Minister Hermans from making a decision if he preferred this route. “It is very important to us to protect our beautiful landscape,” says Mayor Andries Bouwman, who, together with his city councilors, is calling for a more environmentally friendly solution. An alternative that is already being discussed would be to bundle the new line with the existing 110 kV high-voltage line via Burgum, Leeuwarden and Heerenveen. According to those responsible, this option could cause less damage to the region.

As Waldnet.nl.html) reports, local authorities fear significant impacts on the Frisian landscape if 55 to 60 meter high Vltava-type truss masts are built along the A7. This would not only change the visual backdrop of the region, but also endanger existing natural and commercial areas. The local council has pointed out that the spatial planning along the motorway is already extremely complex, which further complicates the situation. The Groningen authorities have also spoken out against the A7 variant, which does not exactly improve the chances of an agreement in the region.

The role of network operators

Another important player in this game is the grid operator Tennet, which is tasked with building a new high-voltage connection between Vierverlaten (Groningen) and Ens (Noordoostpolder) in order to future-proof the power grid. In this context, the need for high-voltage power lines is strongly emphasized. But the choice of route is crucial. The planned variant along the A7 has already been critically questioned several times and raises questions about how an alternative route could be implemented.

The current discussion is further fueled by the fact that the A7 industrial area and important Natura2000 areas could potentially be affected. In this context, the online map of the VDE, which shows existing and planned high-voltage lines, offers a valuable overview of the infrastructure and its possible impact on the region. The map is available both online and in print and is updated annually to reflect the latest developments.

Future decisions and recommendations

Minister Hermans von Klimaat and Groene Groei is the crucial factor in this process as he will make the final decision on the preferred route. The Opsterland local council has already announced that it will not take part in a regional report that supports the controversial A7 route. This could lead to a legal dispute where the council will not hesitate to go to court to defend the community's interests. “We are serious and fighting for our region,” says Bouwman resolutely.

The coming months will show how the situation develops. Given the challenges posed by existing resentments, it will be exciting to see whether a solution can be found that both meets the requirements of the energy transition and respects local conditions. Netzausbau.de also offers insights into planned projects from the Federal Requirements Plan Act that could impact the infrastructure in Germany in the coming years. It remains to be seen how quickly and effectively new solutions will be found for a future-proof power grid.