Damme (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Eneco and Invento Energy have paused their plans to build a 250-meter wind turbine in Sint-Rita, near Damme, citing the need for further evaluation.
Due to the recent Flemish government agreement on the distance regulations for large wind turbines, project developer Invento Energy and energy producer Eneco are withdrawing their dossier.
“We want to review everything in detail,”
responds developer Maarten Vandendriessche of Invento Energy.
Together with developer Invento Energy, energy producer Eneco plans to construct a 250-meter-tall wind turbine along the Leopold Canal between De Hoorn and Middelburg, which is close to the nearby towns of Damme and Maldegem.
However, those plans are now being temporarily withdrawn by Eneco and Invento Energy.
Why? the recently enacted, more stringent regulations for wind turbines by the Flemish government. According to these regulations, a residence must be at least 600 meters away from a wind turbine that is at least 200 meters high.
“We are withdrawing the file,”
says developer Maarten Vandendriessche of Invento Energy.
“A lot has appeared in the media about the new distance rules and we want to review everything internally in detail.”
Although it appears that Invento Energy is being cautious, the regulation has not yet been sent in a new circular. The distance to the residences in Sint-Rita is far less than what the new law requires.
The news was received with relief by the locals. Residents of the area were extremely alarmed by the proposals, which led to the formation of an action committee and demonstrations against the wind turbine.
“We are relieved,” responds Jens Versnyck, who lives 290 meters from the location where the windmill would be built and is the founder of the action committee. “Although I am not completely reassured yet. The plans are being put on hold for the time being and so we are at ease for the coming years, but I will continue to oppose the arrival of a windmill in the future.”
Mayor Joachim Coens (CD&V Plus) also reacts with satisfaction.
“As a city council, we are of course also relieved,”
says Mayor Coens.
“There was a lot of fuss about the dossier. Due to the new distance rules, the support base for Invento Energy has become too small.”
Why was the Sint-Rita wind turbine project put on hold by Eneco and Invento Energy?
Eneco’s larger problems in the renewable energy sector, such as adverse market conditions and structural problems in government contract processes, were the main reason for the suspension of the Sint-Rita wind turbine project involving Invento Energy and Eneco.
Rising prices for raw materials like copper and steel, as well as a change in the focus of tenders from sustainability objectives to financial bids, have been blamed for Eneco’s recent withdrawal from significant Dutch offshore wind projects.
The decision to halt the Sint-Rita turbine plans was probably influenced by these governmental and economic uncertainties as well, demonstrating a cautious approach in the face of an uncertain renewable energy market.
