Objection to decision on cable route for Schiermonnikoog wind farms
Together with other northern local authorities, Noorderzijlvest Water Authority submitted a written response opposing the proposal by the Minister of Climate and Green Growth. In their response, the authorities indicate that they disagree with the decision made on the route of the cables for offshore wind farms.
Provisional decision by the minister
The minister has provisionally decided to route the cables from the wind farms north of Schiermonnikoog under Schiermonnikoog. The cables will then land at Kloosterburen and run for around 37 kilometres through the province of Groningen to Eemshaven. This route runs roughly parallel to the sea dyke crossing the land of many farmers and the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Threatening to agriculture and nature
There is understanding for the construction of an offshore wind farm. In order to achieve climate goals, investments must be made in new forms of energy such as wind and hydrogen. The organisations' concern is about the chosen location where the cables land and have to run underground towards Eemshaven. This will have negative effects on nature and agriculture, both in the Wadden Sea area and on the mainland.
Water authority's own written response
In addition to the joint written response, Noorderzijlvest Water Authority also submitted its own written response to further draw the minister’s attention to the implications for the water system, water management, and agriculture in the area. Drilling will take place to facilitate the chosen underground cable route. However, very little research has been conducted and very little is known about how the drilling will be carried out. There is a risk that a freshwater pocket located above the saline water in the soil could be damaged. This freshwater pocket enables high-quality agriculture in the area. This is now potentially at risk.
Investigate thoroughly
The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority would prefer the minister to choose a route that lies further to the east. The Eemshaven tunnel and the Oude Westereems route are far more future-proof. This is due to the agricultural activities in the area and also because of the water authority plans to begin work on a broad coastal zone in the near future as part of water safety measures. In its written response, the water authority asks minister to thoroughly investigate the consequences of drilling in the ground near the freshwater pocket. It also asks the minister to take account of the additional costs that will be incurred if Noorderzijlvest proceeds with the broad coastal zone project at the location where the cables are laid.