A recent decision of the Council of State about a wind farm in Delfzijl has consequences for at least 25 other proposed wind farms. That reports Trouw newspaper. That the ruling would have broader consequences was known, but not how many projects would have to deal with it.
The Delfzijl wind farm should have mapped out the consequences of the construction for the environment, such as noise pollution and the creation of cast shadows. At least 25 other parks without a definitive building permit have not performed such a test. European rules make this test mandatory, the Council of State concluded. If a definitive permit has already been granted, an environmental assessment does not still need to be performed.
Trouw writes that the fault lies with the government, which has not asked for the report. Industry association of wind energy companies NWEA calls it “a serious matter” in Trouw. There is mainly uncertainty, says the association. “Whether financial damage occurs remains to be seen.”
Outgoing State Secretary Yesilgöz of Economic Affairs and Climate said earlier that the government is working on including the environmental test in the process of granting a permit. In the meantime, municipalities must already test whether a project complies with the environmental regulations.
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