The five Wadden Sea islands have come out against plans to build a giant wind farm to the north of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog and have called on the economic affairs minister to rethink the idea.

The energy agreement signed by the national and provincial governments envisages the development of several massive offshore wind farms in order to meet green energy targets.

One location earmarked by the minister is a site some six kilometres off the islands’ northerly coasts.

The island council disagrees, saying the massive development is ‘not responsible’ given the greater social importance of the Wadden Sea area as a top tourist attraction.

They also say the plan threatens shipping, bird migration and the region’s status as a Unesco world heritage site.