‘Come up with stricter noise standards for wind farms.’ Four municipalities in Groningen and Drenthe are making this appeal to the government. “If nothing happens, we will probably choose the legal route.”
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management will introduce stricter noise standards for new wind farms in July 2025. These standards therefore do not apply to existing wind farms such as that at Meeden.
Humming sound
This summer it was conclusively established that the park near Meeden causes a humming noise. Because this park already exists, it should continue to hum along, even under the new rules. “That cannot be explained to the residents,” says councilor Erik Drenth.
Together with colleagues from the municipalities of Veendam, Borger-Odoorn and Aa en Hunze, he calls on the government to also apply these rules to existing wind turbines. Drentse Monden Oostermoer wind farm is located in the Drenthe municipalities. Local residents also hear a disturbing hum there.
Legally
With the current rules, the wind farm near Meeden is not in violation in any case. That is also the reason that the municipality of Midden-Groningen cannot intervene at the moment. If the municipality shuts down the park, RWE will successfully challenge this in court.
“This is something we can do,” says councilor Erik Drenth. And if the ministry does nothing? “If nothing happens, we will probably choose the legal route.”
Noise research
This summer, wind turbine builder Siemens has already adjusted the software settings of the wind turbines at Meeden. This happened following an investigation where it was definitively established that the mills make noise. The new settings should cause the wind turbines to produce less low-frequency noise.
In November it was investigated whether this had helped. The results of that study will probably be released in December. Many residents do not have to wait for the investigation. The park is still humming, they say.