Olen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A windmill on Olen’s Umicore site has been temporarily shut down by company Storm following municipal orders due to unresolved noise pollution complaints.
Residents are still complaining about a constant buzzing noise in their homes even after a soundproofing system was installed.
“It is probably a technical defect and that needs to be resolved,”
says mayor Kris Gebruers (CD&V).
Residents of the town of Olen, Belgium, have been complaining about the wind turbine that Storm installed on the Umicore plant site for the past year and a half.
The municipality even established a dedicated reporting point for it in December 2024. A dampening device was installed on the turbine in April of this year.
However, noise pollution complaints continue to be received.
“That’s why we have now asked Storm to temporarily shut down the windmill,”
says mayor Gebruers.
“Measurements that expired last Thursday show that the windmill continues to exceed the VLAREM noise standards in the evening and at night.”
“During the day, the noise only just remains within the limits, so we are pleased that Storm is responding to our request to shut down the wind turbine for further investigation. As a municipality, we cannot force the company to do so.”
Mayor Gebruers wants full clarity about the humming noise before the windmill can turn again.
“We need to find a way to interpret the measurements correctly and solve any technical deviation.”
“All parties are annoyed by this. This is the 12th wind turbine on our territory. With the previous 11 there were never any significant protests or complaints. We are known as the wind turbine municipality of the province of Antwerp and so it is annoying to have this happening.”
Gebruers puts the health of the Olen residents involved above all else.
“I am responsible for that and a solution must and will be found for the problem. Some families are at their wits’ end because they hear the noise all the time, even with the windows and doors closed.”
How might Storm address residents’ complaints about persistent noise from the wind turbine?
Since the mayor believes there is a technical flaw, Storm should perform a comprehensive mechanical and acoustic examination to find and address any problems—such as imbalanced blades, gearbox problems, or loose parts—that are producing unusual noise.
Even with a soundproofing solution in place, noise transmission can be further decreased by taking further precautions such better vibration isolation, acoustic barriers, or quieter turbine parts.
Establish ongoing noise monitoring at several neighboring homes to make sure noise levels are within legal bounds, which are normally between 30 and 45 dBA at residential properties, and to pinpoint the precise moments or circumstances at which noise peaks occur.
Utilize weather information and prediction software to learn how sound travels in your area and adjust turbine settings appropriately.
