Groningen’s Earthquake Repairs Delayed Until 2034 — Thousands of Homes Still Unsafe
Despite the end of gas extraction, over 10,000 homes in the region still await reinforcement, with residents facing years more of uncertainty, stress, and structural risk.
The reinforcement of homes in the Groningen gas extraction area is facing even greater delays than previously expected. According to a new report from the State Supervision of Mines (SodM), the operation to strengthen buildings in the earthquake-prone region may now continue until 2034—six years later than the original 2028 target.
The National Coordinator Groningen (NCG), the government body overseeing the reinforcement program, had already warned earlier this year that the work might not be completed before 2031 or 2032 due to ongoing staff shortages, including project leaders and resident counselors. However, SodM now considers even that projection too optimistic.
Only Halfway There
To date, just 5,687 homes have been reinforced, while 10,000 to 11,000 homes still need to be addressed. Last year alone, only 1,223 homes were completed—falling short of the 1,400 that were originally planned. The pace of progress has raised alarms among officials and residents alike.
“The long wait is destroying people,” said Theodor Kockelkoren, Inspector General at SodM. “Now is not the time to sit back because gas extraction has stopped. The physical and mental health of Groningen’s residents is at stake.”
Coert Fossen, spokesperson for the Groninger Bodem Beweging, echoed this concern: “Some residents have had a safety report sitting in their cupboards since 2016. They’re told their homes aren’t safe, but are also told it could take another ten years. That takes a toll.”
Need for Focus and Reform
SodM recommends that the NCG focus exclusively on current reinforcement cases and avoid adding new addresses to the list in order to prevent further delays. It also advises the government to set clear goals, communicate transparently about progress, and fix issues proactively rather than retroactively.
In addition, SodM urges municipalities to keep homeowners and builders well-informed about the condition of the soil and buildings, especially since the risk of earthquakes still exists—albeit at a reduced level. The chance of a magnitude 4.0 earthquake or higher is now around 1%, compared to 5.5% in 2018.
Some Positive Developments
Despite the grim outlook, there are signs of improvement. The reduced risk of severe earthquakes is attributed to the end of gas extraction in the Groningen field, which officially ceased in April 2024. Reinforcement efforts to date have also improved the safety of some buildings.
Nevertheless, SodM stresses that the area remains vulnerable due to shallow quakes in clay-rich soil, which can still cause significant structural damage to unreinforced homes.
Legislative and Organisational Gaps
The report also highlights the need for clear legislation regarding aftercare and responsibilities related to the closed gas field. The Dutch government and NAM (Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij), the company formerly responsible for gas extraction, are urged to listen to local residents during the process of decommissioning gas infrastructure.
Unless urgent action is taken to address bureaucratic delays and capacity issues, Groningen’s long-suffering residents may have to wait nearly a decade longer for the safety and security they’ve been promised.