Lolland seeks funding for coastal protection against rising water levels

More cities are seeking protection against rising water levels from oceans and fjords, which increasingly threaten urban areas and could lead to unwanted sea views in homes. Coastal protection is expensive, prompting many municipalities to apply for government support. However, the costs typically far exceed the available funding.

In Nakskov, located on the island of Lolland, plans are underway to construct a floodgate designed to keep the community dry during high water events. The project is estimated to cost 400 million Danish kroner, according to Regitze Lassen, a climate coordinator for Lolland Municipality. The floodgate will be built a few kilometers from Nakskov Harbor and is intended to be pulled out when necessary to block rising waters.

Lassen emphasized the urgent need for such protective measures, noting that Lolland is a low-lying area, making Nakskov particularly vulnerable to flooding. She highlighted the risk posed to local businesses, infrastructure, and homes.

Kirsten Halsnæs, a professor at DTU, pointed out that Nakskov needs immediate attention to prevent potential flooding, which could incur significant costs. The ongoing demand for funding is substantial, with 11 municipalities working on coastal protection projects exceeding one billion kroner, competing for a total of 150 million kroner available in a government fund.

Among them is Vejle, which has applied for 64 million kroner for flood defense measures. The municipality aims to alleviate concerns among residents about flooding risks. Both Vejle and other municipalities are engaged in seeking various forms of funding while understanding that without support, achieving robust coastal protection may take substantially longer, increasing the risk of floods. These financial constraints force local politicians to make difficult budgetary decisions impacting essential community projects.