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Construction to Break German Dependence on Russian Gas Hits a Snag: Wartime Bombs Construction to Break German Dependence on Russian Gas Hits a Snag: Wartime Bombs
(about 4 hours later)
In the wake of the war in Ukraine, the port at Wilhelmshaven has emerged as a critical hub for German efforts to break the country’s dependence on Russian energy. It is there, on the North Sea coast, that officials would like to build a giant new terminal to import liquefied natural gas from other sources.In the wake of the war in Ukraine, the port at Wilhelmshaven has emerged as a critical hub for German efforts to break the country’s dependence on Russian energy. It is there, on the North Sea coast, that officials would like to build a giant new terminal to import liquefied natural gas from other sources.
There is just one problem that has slowed the plans: the construction site is littered with bombs from previous wars.There is just one problem that has slowed the plans: the construction site is littered with bombs from previous wars.
History is never far below the surface in Germany. Residents are frequently evacuated — sometimes by the thousands — when unexploded munitions are discovered at construction sites and need to be defused. As Germany tries to shore up its energy independence, unexploded wartime munitions have set back the construction of new wind farms and natural gas terminals alike.History is never far below the surface in Germany. Residents are frequently evacuated — sometimes by the thousands — when unexploded munitions are discovered at construction sites and need to be defused. As Germany tries to shore up its energy independence, unexploded wartime munitions have set back the construction of new wind farms and natural gas terminals alike.
But the situation at Wilhelmshaven is particularly acute, serving as a costly reminder of how the relics of past conflicts can complicate efforts to respond to the current one.But the situation at Wilhelmshaven is particularly acute, serving as a costly reminder of how the relics of past conflicts can complicate efforts to respond to the current one.
Wilhelmshaven played a prominent role during World War II as the home of one of the German Navy’s largest bases. It was bombed repeatedly by the U.S. and British Royal Air Forces, and then at the end of the war, the Allied militaries used the port as a dumping ground for unused munitions.
“We found all kinds of ammunition: German ammunition, from the U.K., from the Netherlands, from France, all different types,” said Dieter Guldin, the chief operating officer of SeaTerra, a company that specializes in locating and clearing unexploded munitions. “You have one bomb from World War II, and then a bomb from World War I, and then a grenade from France. It’s all mixed up; whatever you ask for from the wide spectrum of the world wars, you’ll find it.”