Plans to store natural gas underground in the Bergermeer region north of Amsterdam were given the go-ahead on Tuesday by the ministries of economic affairs and the environment.

The plan is part of efforts to turn the Netherlands into an international gas storage and distribution centre. Large users such as energy companies will use the supply to off-set seasonal demand for gas.
Bergen local council is strongly opposed to the plan and local people argue it is not safe and will increase the risk of earthquakes.
The council says it is being treated with contempt because an investigation into earthquake risk is still being conducted, says the Financieele Dagblad.
The facility will hold over four billion cubic metres of gas – enough to supply 1.6 million Dutch households for a year. The project, with participation by the Dutch government, will cost €800m and is due for completion in 2013.
Earlier stories
Bergen opposed to gas storage plans

Underground gas storage plan ‘safe’
Gas storage plan will boost earthquake risk