Municipalities in West Friesland are increasingly aiming for small – property-related – windmills, now that Medemblik has also changed tack. It should make (agricultural) entrepreneurs self-sufficient all year round. A pilot must show whether this is feasible.
If it is up to the municipality of Medemblik, (agricultural) entrepreneurs may place a small windmill of 15 meters high in the yard. “It seems more necessary than ever before, simply because network operator Liander cannot cope with the speed at which the power network must be upgraded,” said alderman Harry Nederpelt. According to him, an ‘inherited mill’ can offer a possible solution for the power network shortage.
Still, some groups have their doubts. This is how D66 served, Morgen! and GemeenteBelangen (GB) introduced an amendment last week in which they advocate starting with a pilot first. It received support from the entire city council.
Keep fingers on the pulse
D66 party chairman Co Vlaar points to the past, when a protest movement started in 2014. “In the past, large windmills were considered inhumane. They detracted from the characteristic landscape and village centers. That is why we have to keep a finger on the pulse.”
With that in mind, Vlaar wants – thanks to a pilot – to first gain experience in the field. “What is the impact on the environment? Does it cause noise nuisance and cast shadow? How big is the enthusiasm? We can test that before we make a decision.”
First solar panels on the roof
He also adds a caveat. “Farmers must first fill the roof with solar panels. If it is demonstrably insufficient, they can get started with a small windmill.” According to him, sun and wind are complementary to each other. “We need to look at solutions to kill the fossil fuel industry.” Alderman Harry Nederpelt is not unwilling to this: “We are taking up the challenge and will first start with a pilot.”
The municipality of Medemblik will start drawing up the rules of the game. These should make it possible for small windmills to arise in the landscape of Medemblik. “Small windmills in built-up areas are excluded,” says Vlaar. Only after a pilot will the city council make a decision.
More and more West Frisian municipalities allow so-called ‘erfmolens’
Whereas a few years ago there was still a lot of cold feet, more and more municipalities are seeing the benefit of smaller wind turbines on a (farmer’s) yard.
This is how dairy farmer Marco Jaapies from Hensbroek placed at the end of October a mill in his yard for his own use. “It is actually only very recently that the province of North Holland has allowed small windmills to be built,” alderman Rosalien van Dolder (Koggenland) previously told NH. Also Opmeer eventually passed and is busy drawing up a testing framework.