Natural Gas Delivered by EWE Offshore Borkum in the North Sea - North Sea gas transported to Borkum by EWE
In the North Sea, a significant controversy is unfolding as energy company One-Dyas plans to extract approximately 0.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas from a field this year. The location of the drilling platform is not specified, but the extraction site is near the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected marine zone known for its rich biodiversity and ecological importance.
Environmentalists are sounding the alarm, warning that the drilling and associated industrial activity could lead to devastating consequences for biodiversity, threatening the fragile marine ecosystem. The Wadden Sea is a concern for environmentalists due to potential damage from gas production, and they have taken legal action to prevent such damage.
One-Dyas, in response to the environmental concerns, has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by using power from a German offshore wind park to operate the drilling platforms. The company also states it will halt operations once the demand for natural gas diminishes, aligning with Germany’s broader climate neutrality goals for 2045.
However, environmental groups have filed court challenges against the drilling project, accusing the German government of sidelining environmental protection in favor of energy security, especially in light of the geopolitical energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These groups warn of biodiversity loss and accuse the government of pressuring courts and approval authorities to expedite the project’s green light.
The Riffgat wind farm, located near the drilling platform, is not mentioned as a source of natural gas but is significant in the mitigation measures taken by One-Dyas. The company plans to power the platform with electricity from the Riffgat wind farm, reducing CO2 emissions significantly. However, a power cable from the drilling platform to the Riffgat wind farm cannot be laid at this time.
One-Dyas' extraction of natural gas from the North Sea is a controversial matter. German energy company EWE has signed a supply agreement with Dutch natural gas company One-Dyas to purchase natural gas extracted from the North Sea near Borkum. The natural gas field being extracted from is one of the most important natural gas sources in Germany and the Netherlands, according to One-Dyas. One-third of the extracted gas will be allocated to Germany.
In summary, the conflict centers on balancing energy security needs with protecting a sensitive ecological heritage. Environmentalists are actively seeking to block or constrain the project through legal avenues, while One-Dyas is aiming to mitigate its environmental impact by using renewable energy sources and aligning with Germany’s climate goals.
- In an effort to address concerns about its environmental impact, One-Dyas plans to use power from the Riffgat wind farm, a significant source of renewable energy, to operate its drilling platforms in the North Sea.
- Amidst debates about energy security and climate change, the EC countries are closely monitoring the extraction of natural gas from the North Sea, as this resource is crucial for both Germany and the Netherlands.
- As part of its employment policy, advocating for vocational training could be a proactive measure for the EC countries, considering the rising demand for skilled workers in the growing environmental-science, finance, industry, and energy sectors, especially in the context of the ongoing climate-change challenges.
