Germany's cabinet has sanctioned the extraction of up to 13 billion cubic metres of natural gas from a protected marine site in the North Sea, reported Bloomberg News.

This move is aimed at enhancing the country's energy security amid the ongoing energy crisis.

The bilateral agreement with the Netherlands, essential for the drilling activities, has been approved.

According to Germany's Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, this step will not only benefit the country but also the European gas market

The decision comes as Germany seeks to diversify its energy sources following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The drilling is to be conducted by One-Dyas and was previously delayed due to environmental concerns.

However, the company has committed to using power from a German offshore wind park to reduce carbon emissions. One-Dyas has also stated its intention to halt operations when demand for natural gas ceases, aligning with the goal of climate neutrality.

The company has initiated its operational test phase in March and anticipates contributing approximately 15% to Germany's gas consumption of the previous year.

The state of Lower Saxony is yet to make a final decision on the company's business operations, although its mining authority has already approved drilling for August 2024.

The drilling site is located in the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparking concerns among environmentalists about potential damage to the marine ecosystem.

Environmental Action Germany’s CEO Sascha Müller-Kraenner warned that further industrialisation could have catastrophic effects on biodiversity in the North Sea.