Criticism of the area development plan: Environmental standards are dismantled until 2037

Veröffentlicht:

Von:

Die Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) kritisiert den Entwurf des Flächenentwicklungsplans: Umweltstandards sollen in Beschleunigungsgebieten abgebaut werden. Die DUH warnt vor fatalen Auswirkungen auf den Meeresschutz. Erfahrene Offshore-Entwickler sehen die Planungssicherheit von Windparks gefährdet. Die DUH fordert Fingerspitzengefühl bei der Einführung von Beschleunigungsgebieten, um etablierte Umweltstandards beizubehalten.
The German Environmental Aid (DUH) criticizes the design of the area development plan: environmental standards are to be dismantled in acceleration areas. The DUH warns of fatal effects on marine protection. Experienced offshore developers see the planning security of wind farms at risk. The DUH calls for tact in the introduction of acceleration areas to maintain established environmental standards. (Symbolbild/MB)

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) criticized the current draft of the area development plan, which was published today. According to the design, environmental standards are to be reduced in so -called acceleration areas. Specifically, at 36 gigawatts of a total of 60 gigawatts by 2037, environmental impact assessments and species protection law tests are eliminated. The DUH warns of the consequences of such a implementation for marine protection.

The introduction of the acceleration areas would result in established environmental standards in more than half of the potential offshore areas. According to experienced offshore developers, this even endangers the planning security of offshore wind farms. The environmental impact assessment and data collection, which have been a proven process for over a decade, should therefore be abolished. This would have negative effects, especially for the already poor data situation in the marine areas.

The DUH therefore calls for the introduction of the acceleration areas with a sensitivity in order not to hinder the data collection and to maintain the established environmental standards.

Here are some facts and information that can explain local effects and context:

-Berlin has no direct access to the coast and is therefore not affected by offshore wind farms. Nevertheless, the decision is of national importance, since Berlin as the capital and the political center has an impact on energy policy decisions.
- There are currently several offshore wind farms in Germany, especially in the North and Baltic Sea. The expansion of offshore wind energy is part of the energy transition and contributes to reducing CO2 emissions.
-The environmental impact assessment and species protection law examination are important instruments to evaluate and minimize potential effects of offshore wind farms on the environment.
- The data situation in the marine areas is currently problematic. Abolition of the data collection would continue to deteriorate and protect the condition of the sea environment.

The table below provides an overview of the planned offshore wind farms in Germany:

| Offshore wind farm | Location | Planned capacity (in MW) |
| ——————- | ——————————————— |
| Alpha Ventus | North Sea | 60 |
| Bard Offshore 1 | North Sea | 400 |
| Borkum Riffgrund 1 | North Sea | 320 |
| Dantysk | North Sea | 288 |
| Gode ​​Wind 1 | North Sea | 330 |
| Riffgat | North Sea | 108 |
| Baltic 1 | Baltic Sea | 48 |

This table gives an overview of some of the existing and planned offshore wind farms in Germany. It shows that Germany already has a significant capacity of offshore wind energy and that the expansion is progressing. However, the DUH fears that the planned changes in the area development plan could lead to a setback for marine protection.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the design of the area development plan may still be subject to changes. It remains to be seen how the debate about the acceleration areas and marine protection will develop in the coming months.


Source: Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V./OTS