City councilors in Vught unexpectedly voted against the arrival of two to four wind turbines at Cromvoirt or on the Distelberg. With great political consequences: PvdA-Groenlinks stepped out of the coalition and alderman Nino de Lange laid down his function. “Anyone who excludes wind does that for fear of criticism from residents,” said PvdA-GroenLinks.
The protest against wind turbines is not new, but it is not often that there is a coalition. Nevertheless, this is a quick conclusion according to the National Program Regional Energy Strategy (NP RES), which monitors how the energy transition goes per region. “It can occur, but often several issues play at the same time.” There are no figures on the number of cases of lectures due to wind policy. “In any case, it doesn’t happen every week.”
Not only in Vught, where a majority voted against the arrival of wind turbines, but also in Oss, Altena and Goirle it rumbles around wind energy. How is the energy transition in Brabant and why is there so much discussion about?
“Because residents are allowed to join us, we see more banners and petitions.”
The energy transition is not necessarily doing very badly, says a spokesperson for the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. “According to the Climate Agreement in 2030, the Netherlands should generate at least 35 terawatt hours (TWH) from wind and solar energy, and we will probably get that.” However, regions had hoped to be able to do more, for example 55TWh before 2030. That goal seems to be out of reach, also because many windmills do not find a destination, such as in Vught.
In more municipalities, the possible arrival of windmills leads to petitions, protest and long council meetings. “First a lot was realized under rural control,” says a spokesperson for NP Res. “To be closer to the resident, municipalities, water boards and provinces wanted to realize wind and solar energy in consultation with their environment.” This is also recorded in the climate agreement. “Because residents are now being discussed with residents throughout the country about how we generate energy, you hear it more often when there is friction.”
That is not necessarily bad, according to the spokesperson. “It is good that municipalities think in consultation with residents about how nuisance can be prevented.” But that also ensures more petitions and banners than before. “People are worried about the sound, the drop shadow, their health and their views,” she continues. “But there are more reasons why projects do not take place. For example, technical obstacles such as defense tradars or rare bird species.”
“Throwing all hope for solar energy is not realistic.”
Often in the discussion to solar energy is referred to as a solution, not to have this nuisance, and still generate sustainable energy. The VVD in Vught also suggested this. But according to the spokesperson for the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, that is not a fully -fledged alternative. “Wind and sun complement each other,” he says. “Zon delivers especially in the summer, wind just in the winter. If you drop one of the two, that balance will be disturbed.”
What is going on in Vught and at the Beekse Bergen?
The alderman in Vught wanted to look for a contractor for the construction of two to four wind turbines and sun fields, but the council decided otherwise. A majority of 15 to 8 voted against the windmills and only opted for solar power. That sudden majority against the windmills, the Lange party, is a reason to step out of the B&W College.
There is also a discussion about windmills between the Beekse Bergen and the built -up area of Goirle. Tilburg, Oisterwijk, Hilvarenbeek and Goirle are looking together for a place for wind energy within ‘De Baars search area’, but the plans always encounter resistance. Safaripark de Beekse Bergen is strongly disappointing because the area would be a home for special birds and bats that may be bothered by the windmills. The municipality of Goirle is still investigating whether the windmills are coming.