Greek dairy giant FAGE is continuing with plans for a factory on the Riegmeer industrial estate in Hoogeveen. Due to the nitrogen problem, the company was unable to obtain a permit to start construction. That is why the yoghurt manufacturer wants to fully rely on electricity.
This is evident from documents from the municipality of Hoogeveen. For example, FAGE wants to replace gas-fired appliances with electric ones. This would mean that there would be almost no nitrogen emissions when making the yoghurt. A small residual nitrogen that would be released during the construction of the factory should not prevent a permit, the dairy giant and the municipality of Hoogeveen believe.
In order to continue with the plans for an electric factory, FAGE has amended the current permit application. Since October, a new request has been submitted to the province of Drenthe. In the near future, it will consider the new application and it must become clear whether the arrival of the dairy giant can go ahead.
Earlier this year, several nature groups were concerned about the arrival of the factory, including about water use. To produce yogurt, 2.5 million liters of water are needed per day. The objectors think that amount is too much and fear that nature will suffer as a result. They argue for water saving measures from the province.
Water company WMD, which will supply the water, announced that drinking water in Drenthe is not at risk. According to the company, calculations have been made for this. 2.5 million liters per day is the maximum. Nature groups, local residents and others who have objected to the arrival of the factory will probably receive a response to their objections in the coming months.
“The review and assessment of the current application is expected to take several months,” the Hoogeveen municipal council wrote.
FAGE wants to build a factory in Hoogeveen to gain a foothold in the Netherlands and Europe. According to the company, Hoogeveen is in a favorable location, including for transport. The construction of the building is a multi-million dollar project that could soon employ approximately 150 people.
Hoogeveen paid 100,000 euros in nitrogen rights to livestock farms in Hollandscheveld and Darp. FAGE wanted to use the purchased nitrogen space to apply for the permit for the factory. This is called external netting. But because Drenthe’s nature continues to deteriorate, it is no longer possible to obtain a permit in this way, the province of Drenthe ruled.
The dairy manufacturer previously tried to set up a factory in Luxembourg a number of years ago. That plan met with resistance from local residents. Water consumption was also mentioned there. FAGE decided to pull the plug and shift its focus to Hoogeveen.