Objection to decision on cable route for Schiermonnikoog wind farms
Together with other northern authorities, the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority has submitted an opinion against the proposal of the Minister of Climate and Green Growth. In this opinion, the authorities indicate that they disagree with the decision taken regarding 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 come ashore at Kloosterburen and run for around 37 kilometers through the province of Groningen to Eemshaven. This route runs roughly parallel to the sea dike through the land of many farmers and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wadden Sea.
Threatening to agriculture and nature
There is understanding for the realization 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 organizations' concern lies in the chosen location where the cables will come ashore and then run underground towards Eemshaven. This will have negative effects on nature and agriculture, both in the Wadden Sea area and on the mainland.
Water board's own opinion
In addition to the joint opinion, the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority has also submitted its own opinion to draw the minister's attention to the consequences for the water system, water system management, and agriculture in the area. Drilling will be carried out to enable the chosen route of the cables to be laid underground. However, very little research has been done and little is known about how the drilling will be carried out. There is a risk that a freshwater bubble above the saline water in the soil will be damaged. The freshwater bubble enables high-quality agriculture in the area. This may now be at risk.
Investigate thoroughly
The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority prefers that the minister opt for a route that lies further to the east. The Eemshaven Tunnel and the Oude Westereemsroute are much more future-proof. This is due to agriculture in the area and also because of the water authority's plans to start work on a broad coastal zone in the near future in the context of water safety. In its opinion, the water board asks the minister to thoroughly investigate the consequences of drilling in the ground near the freshwater bubble. It also asks the minister to take into account the additional costs that will be incurred if Noorderzijlvest starts working on the wide coastal zone where the cables are located.