Nieuwkapelle (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Sportvisserij Vlaanderen launches a petition opposing plans to install solar panels on Put Lake, citing environmental and recreational concerns.
The proposed installation of about 10,000 solar panels will be situated at the famous Put Lake. Nearly half of the water’s surface would be covered by these. Anglers and nature enthusiasts worry about how solar panels may affect marine life and waterfowl.
The Put in Nieuwkapelle, Belgium, is the subject of ambitious plans by De Watergroep. In order to achieve total energy neutrality in five years, they intend to erect 9,756 solar panels on the water’s surface.
“The goal is to generate as much power as we consume at all our sites,” explains
Tine Vandermeersch.
“We’ve already installed a considerable number of solar panels on our buildings in recent years. But to achieve our goals, we need to step up our efforts. There’s still plenty of space on our water reservoirs. Solar panels on water also work better than on roofs and ground. That’s why we’ve chosen the Put as a pilot project for a floating solar panel farm. A permit has now been applied for.”
According to De Watergroep, the large solar panel surface should have minimal impact on the flora and fauna in and around the pond.
“We commissioned two years of research into this from the Institute for Nature and Forest Research,”
Vandermeersch continues.
The ecological value of the Put is already low. The fish population is not very diverse, and the water has high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. After the solar panels are placed, we intend to continue working to eliminate blue-green algae, enhance water quality, and support the growth of more plant and animal species.
For now, the promises haven’t provided much reassurance for anglers.
“I can easily believe that the ecological value of the Put isn’t that phenomenal,”
says Rik Cappoen of Westhoek Roofvissers.
“No fish have been stocked for years. But for us, it’s about more than just the plans for the Put. More and more fishing spots are being lost, and they also want to install solar panels on the banks of the Albert Canal. If that becomes a trend, we’ll have nowhere left to go. It’s a threat to our hobby.”
“It also seems unlikely to me that those panels won’t have any impact on nature,”
says Cappoen.
“If you shield a large portion of the water from sunlight, that will undoubtedly impact the oxygen balance and the plants, fish, and amphibians living in and around the pond. And what about the waterfowl? Besides that, there’s also the disruption to the landscape. Two hectares of mirrors on the well—that’s bound to have a major impact on the view.”
Furthermore, the results of this experiment are still unknown. Will the water be affected by those electrical lines? There, will a magnetic field be produced? What effect will it have on aquatic life? Numerous uncertainties exist. This is a hazard to nature, but it also seems like a concern for the climate.
“That’s why we hope the pond stays as it is and that no solar panels are installed. We’re asking De Watergroep to look for alternatives. Many people will object to their plans and have already signed our petition.”
De Watergroep itself adds that the company will continue to investigate the water quality and the impact on the surrounding area, even after the solar panels are installed on the pond.
“If it turns out there is a negative impact, we will look into how we can address it,”
adds Tine Vandermeersch.
Next Monday, August 4, is the last day of the public inquiry.
What are the main environmental concerns raised by opponents of the Put lake solar project?
Covering almost half the lake with solar panels could disturb habitats used by waterfowl and fish. Such large floating arrays may interrupt nesting, foraging, and migratory behaviors, potentially reducing bird and fish populations in the area.
Extensive shading from the panels will lower sunlight reaching the water, which can limit the growth of phytoplankton and aquatic plants—key components of the lake’s food web. This can lead to diminished oxygen production and affect fish stocks and overall ecosystem health.
The panels may change water temperature and reduce natural wind-driven mixing at the surface.
