The Dutch government has announced a national distance requirement for new onshore wind turbines, providing greater clarity on the rules for wind energy development. The requirement is that turbines must generally be located at least twice their tip height from homes and other buildings.
NedZero welcomes the introduction of a national rule, but considers a fixed distance requirement problematic because the distance from a turbine does not necessarily reflect the actual level of disturbance experienced by local residents.
For example, a 200-metre-high turbine would generally have to be located at least 400 metres from a home. NedZero argues that local conditions should be taken into account and is calling for exemptions where turbines can be installed without causing disturbance.
The requirement could also reduce the available space for onshore wind and result in more turbines being needed to produce the same amount of electricity. NedZero points out that larger turbines can generate substantially more electricity than smaller machines.
The new rules will also introduce national environmental requirements covering noise, shadow flicker and light reflection. The distance requirement will apply in addition to these environmental standards.
NedZero is calling for clear provisions allowing the distance requirement to be waived in specific situations, to prevent suitable locations from being unnecessarily excluded.
