There are plans for a new energy plant on Lentzweiler's industrial site "Op der Sang." The local municipalities of Wincrange and Clervaux outspokenly opposed the project. All eyes are on the Ministry of the Environment, which does not wish to comment on the controversial project.
The company Tarkett, which is already active on the site, hopes to join efforts with the international energy provider Engie and build a wood-fueled power plant 6km away from Clervaux.
The local association "Gesond an Zukunft" ("Healthy Into the Future") vocally opposes the project. Back in 2017 they had already rung the alarm bells because of noise and smells coming from "Op der Sang".
The president of the association, Ben Ansay, underlined that the new installation may produce dangerous emissions. He also highlighted that 80,000 tons of wood would be burned per year, which amounts to 10 trucks a day.
Ansay also questioned what kinds of material would eventually be burned at the energy plant. Even though these installations are supposed to be CO2 neutral, studies have proven the opposite, the association argued. In this context, they for example cited oils and other substances whose fumes would also be released into the air.
Clervaux mayor Emile Eicher stressed that no guarantee was given that only natural wood would be burned. He also stressed that the trucks and suppliers represent a real problem: carriers often wait along the village's roads before being able to access the industrial site itself. The site, Eicher said, was simply not equipped for waiting carriers - there is no official parking nor are there bathroom facilities.
Both the "Healthy Into the Future" association and local politicians agree: Lentzweiler does not want the energy plant. To be continued.
