Powerport has been a much-discussed topic in the municipality of Moerdijk for a number of years. This development has a major impact on the environment and its residents. The assignment comes from the government and a total of 450 hectares of land is being sought within the municipality. But what exactly does Powerport mean?
Powerport is a collective name for several projects for which space is being sought in the municipality of Moerdijk. It is already certain that a number of projects will be located in Moerdijk, explains South West TV out. This concerns, for example, the Port of Moerdijk high and medium voltage substation. In addition, a high-voltage connection is being constructed from Rilland. It runs on the north side of Standdaarbuiten and Zevenbergschen Hoek.
The Delta Rhine Corridor is also being constructed. These are underground pipelines that transport hydrogen and CO2 from Rotterdam to Boxtel. A section of this pipeline passes through the municipality of Moerdijk, between the industrial area and Zevenbergen. Finally, it is certain that a maximum of two offshore wind landings will be realized. That is the Nederwiek III project.
In addition to these projects, 130 hectares of land are also needed for the growth and sustainability of the industry. How this is set up needs further investigation. For example, which forms of circular economy there is room for. Cables and pipes must also be laid. Finally, there must be room for water storage.
Projects that may come up
In addition to the projects that are certain to come to Moerdijk, there are also a number of uncertain ones. This applies to plans from the government’s Main Energy Structure Program. This includes large-scale battery storage, expansion of the 380kV station, projects related to the heat transition and electrolysis. The latter uses energy to split substances.
Because of all these developments, the municipality receives compensation projects in return. This could, for example, be for agricultural structure reinforcement, landscape integration or projects that enhance the quality of life. What exactly it will look like still needs to be further elaborated.
All these projects contribute to making the industry more sustainable. But all energy projects are also intended to provide homes and businesses with electricity. The extra space for circular industry is important for the Netherlands to become more sustainable. But also to compete with other countries.
Geopolitical tensions also play a role. This ensures that Europe, the Netherlands and the Powerport region of Moerdijk are less dependent on foreign countries. With the arrival of Powerport, the Netherlands can ensure that there is enough power available. But also that raw materials are reused.
Moerdijk as a strategic location
Moerdijk is a strategic place in the field of industry, energy, freight transport and environmental space. With the arrival of the 380kV high-voltage station, Moerdijk will also become an important hub in the energy supply. The port of Moerdijk is also located furthest inland. There is a water, rail and road connection and there are various pipelines.
The large companies from the energy-intensive industry are also located in the region, such as the Amercentrale. This power plant is important for the heat supply in the region. In addition to Moerdijk, the municipality of Drimmelen also plays a role. Many cables, pipes and high-voltage routes run through it. This makes the municipality of Moerdijk a logical place for the Powerport developments.
Moerdijk scheme and departure scheme
The arrival of Powerport has also ensured that the municipality has reactivated the Moerdijk scheme. That scheme has been re-indexed. The increase in the value of homes from January 1, 2023 will be included again. Residents can register their home with the scheme. The municipality then buys the home for 95 percent of the appraised value.
The Moerdijk scheme now gives residents certainty, but that will change if it becomes definitive that the village has no future. Then the Moerdijk scheme will expire and a departure scheme will be introduced. Residents are compensated 100 percent. If it is up to the municipality, an additional amount will also be added. This is intended for all the extra costs that people have to incur if they have to move.
Design table
The design table was devised to accommodate all these projects. All projects are bundled in this and they do not all come to the municipality separately. This also includes participation with residents and other stakeholders. Based on this, the municipality came up with a proposal to locate the projects in an eastern direction. This is not yet a decision, but a proposal that the municipality will take into the discussion with the government.
The municipality will sit down with the government on Monday, December 1. There they will finally decide on the search direction for the Powerport assignment. The council previously announced that it supported the alderman. The municipality of Moerdijk has set up a special page with all information about Powerport. People can also go there with questions.