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Court stops submarine cable for gas platform: nature conservation wins!
The Oldenburg Administrative Court stops the laying of submarine cables for the “N05-A” gas platform and expresses doubts about environmental protection permits.
Court stops submarine cable for gas platform: nature conservation wins!
Yesterday, a decision by the Oldenburg Administrative Court caused a stir surrounding the planned laying of a submarine cable to the gas production platform “N05-A” in the Dutch territorial waters off Borkum. The judges of the 5th Chamber have approved an urgent application from Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), which raises considerable doubts about the exemptions granted under nature conservation law. While the platform was to be supplied with electricity from the “Riffgat” offshore wind farm, the judges expressed concerns about the possible destruction of protected biotopes.
The judges emphasized that alternative ways to generate electricity, such as the use of gas generators, are available, which could prevent damage to nature and the environment. The decision of July 14th is not yet legally binding, and both the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation (NLWKN) and the company One-Dyas B.V. have the opportunity to lodge a complaint with the Higher Administrative Court. According to Oldenburger Online Zeitung, the DUH successfully sued against the exemptions, which could have allowed the destruction of protected biotopes.
Legal dispute over nature conservation
It is still unclear how the legal dispute will develop further, as there is a possibility that those summoned will request a suspension of immediate enforcement. The medium Oldenburger Online Zeitung highlights that these legal disputes raise important questions about the long-term consequences for the environment.
The wind farm and its technological aspects
In the discussion about the submarine cable, attention also falls on offshore wind power, which is expected to play a central role in the future energy transition. Wind turbines at sea reach hub heights of over 100 meters, with rotors that even have a diameter of more than 150 meters, making them impressive structures. These turbines are crucial to meeting the challenges of electricity supply in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, as the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation emphasizes.
Wind farms are being planned in the German waters of the North and Baltic Seas, usually comprising several dozen individual systems. These systems require special foundations that are securely anchored to the seabed to withstand wind, waves and currents. This also shows how important a sound approach to nature conservation law is in order to ensure both the energy goals and the protection of our nature.
Another fascinating detail: The installed capacity of the wind farms can be up to 400 megawatts and more, and they take up large areas of the sea - up to 80 km² per wind farm. It is important to find the right balance between the expansion of renewable energies and the protection of ecological values.