Germany and the Netherlands bicker over wind turbines  

Credit:  www.dutchnews.nl 11 August 2011 ~~

The Netherlands and Germany are embroiled in a dispute over the placing of wind turbines at sea off the coast of the Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog, the Telegraaf reports on Thursday.

The paper says German energy firm EWE wants to place the turbines in a part of the North Sea which the Netherlands considers its territory.

The plan involves erecting 30 turbines north of Schiermonnikoog – the last of the Dutch Wadden Sea islands – and the German island of Borkum. The dispute has been going on for a year.

Porpoise

The paper says prime minister Mark Rutte and foreign minister Uri Rosenthal have both raised the issue with their German counterparts. However, diplomats told the paper there is ‘no question’ of a conflict.

Dutch environmental groups are also opposed to the plan, saying it will disturb the native flora and fauna, especially porpoise.

The paper says the sea border between the Netherlands and Germany have only been agreed to three nautical miles from the shore.