“Not the energy projects, but we as residents must come first.” That is the call from Ferdi van Dongen and Martijn Kneepkens from Geertruidenberg, during a final meeting about the design of the Amergebied. There will be a large energy factory there. The disappearance of Moerdijk, which must make way for new energy facilities, among other things, is causing tension among the residents of the oldest city in Brabant.
“As residents, we really do not come first. Not in Moerdijk and certainly not here in Geertruidenberg,” says Ferdi about the arrival of large-scale energy projects in his city. Together with Martijn and twelve other residents, he shared his opinion about the design of the Amergebied with energy companies, experts and governments.
What’s going to happen in Geertruidenberg?
To convert energy from offshore wind farms into power for the 380 KV high-voltage grid on land, a suitable location for a so-called converter station was sought in Moerdijk, Drimmelen, Geertruidenberg and Oosterhout.
In January, the Ministers of Climate and Green Growth and of Housing and Spatial Planning decided that the energy factory, covering six hectares, should be located in Geertruidenberg. The construction of the energy factory is planned for 2027. More than two million households will then be able to benefit from offshore wind energy from 2031.
What do the residents of Geertruidenberg want?
Due to the arrival of the energy factory, just six hundred meters away from homes, the residents of Geertruidenberg see their quality of life and living enjoyment affected.
‘Minimize the negative impact, maximize the quality of life’, is one of the recommendations from the residents’ working group. She presented her results on Wednesday evening during a well-attended meeting in Fort Sint Gertrudis.
The working group advocates five non-negotiable projects that can directly provide nature compensation, quality of life and development of Geertruidenberg:
- Relocating the Amerweg, which is used by construction traffic.
- Insulation of homes, because the energy factory produces a low humming sound 24 hours a day.
- Construction of the Slikpolder nature park.
- Expansion of a nature buffer in the Amer area.
- Construction of green zones around the center of Geertruidenberg, which contribute to reduced horizon pollution.
In addition, the working group believes that the compensation funds of 11.7 million euros and the additional amount of 8.6 million should first be spent on the area where the nuisance will occur and not on other matters.
Will Geertruidenberg become the second Moerdijk?
“We must tackle the impact on residents in the best way,” says acting mayor Madeleine van Toorenburg. She understands well that the disappearance of Moerdijk causes an oppressive feeling among the residents of Geertruidenberg.
Geertruidenberg is located in the Powerport Moerdijk energy hub. From the port and industrial estate in Moerdijk to the Amercentrale in Geertruidenberg, 700 hectares must be found to make room for the energy transition and growth of activity.
Yet the situation in Geertruidenberg is different from that in Moerdijk, Van Toorenburg emphasizes. Moerdijk mainly has to do with the expansion of the port and industrial estate, in Geertruidenberg the existing industry is being converted for the energy transition.
“Moerdijk has known for years that the village could be swallowed up by industry,” says resident Ferdi. “Geertruidenberg will not become a second Moerdijk, but the Amergebied will be filled with energy facilities and industry. Things really have to change.” He believes that the priority should be with the residents.
What next in Geertruidenberg?
That is also the starting point of the 14 residents who shared their opinions in the Amer Atelier. The wishes of this working group are used to draw up the Amervisie. This means that a good balance must be found between energy transition and quality of life in Geertruidenberg.
The vision is expected to be adopted by the municipal council in February 2026. Until then, Ferdi and Martijn: “We remain committed to the quality of life, but we want certainty.”
Here you can read all the stories about the disappearance of the village of Moerdijk.
