Cor Leeman of Pottendijk Area Fund summarizes it succinctly: it was a storm. Local residents quickly found their way to the fund. Within two months, two of the three available jars were empty. In total, an amount of more than 4.5 tons. “We were really surprised at how quickly it all happened.”
The area fund was set up last year after the completion of the Pottendijk Energy Park near Nieuw-Weerdinge. The park consists of 14 wind turbines and more than 35 hectares of solar fields. It has always been the intention that the surrounding area will also benefit from the presence of Pottendijk. It has been agreed that residents up to 2 kilometers from the park are entitled to compensation.
Owner Shell, the province of Drenthe and the municipality of Emmen therefore periodically deposit money into the coffers of the area fund. A total of 4.4 million euros will be paid out over a period of 16 years.
“So it’s serious money,” said Freek Buijtelaar, the chairman of the area fund. Since October, the fund has had an amount of 1.3 million euros at its disposal. Or rather: had. Because applications were going fast.
The fund is divided into three separate pots. The distance from the home partly plays a role in qualifying for these funds, Buijtelaar explains. “Anyone sitting directly in the line of sight is entitled to an annual compensation of 120 euros.” This compensation is immediately paid for four years, so in this case 480 euros. Buijtelaar: “We have received applications from 173 addresses, of which we have now granted 172.”
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