ANP Wind farm in the North Sea
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 10:19
The European Court of Auditors warns a report for the ‘green dilemma’ that the massive construction of wind turbines at sea entails. The increase in so-called offshore energy is essential for the EU’s green transition, but its development could harm the marine environment.
In the report, the Court of Audit identifies the risks to life below and above water. Although the EU is trying to match marine energy with biodiversity, the European Commission has not carried out any research into the possible effects on the marine environment. The effects could include the movement of species of birds and fish and changes in the structure of those populations.
The European Union wants to accelerate the energy transition to become independent from Russia. Massive construction of wind turbines will help with this, but they may lead to damage to nature and conflicts with fishermen who can catch less.
Energy independent
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine shows that it is important for the EU to be energy independent: our seas can be part of the solution,” said Nikolaos Milionis, member of the European Court of Auditors who led the study. But according to him, the EU’s energy transition should not lead to major social or environmental damage.
The EU has ambitious targets for offshore energy: 61 gigawatts in 2030 and 340 gigawatts in 2050. The current capacity is 16 gigawatts. As an indication: a power plant with a capacity of 1 gigawatt can supply approximately one to one and a half million households with electricity.
To achieve these targets, rapid and large-scale construction of wind turbines in EU countries is needed. And therefore a lot of space at sea. According to the authors of the Court of Audit report, the figures are difficult to achieve.
Arouse
Energy at sea can be generated using wind technology, ocean technology (tidal and wave energy) and floating solar technology. Currently, almost all renewable offshore energy in the EU is generated by wind technology. Germany has the largest capacity, mainly in the North Sea. This is followed by the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium.
2023-09-19 08:19:20
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