Why this scheme?
Obstacle lighting on wind turbines is lit for safety to warn aircraft. These lights are often on all night, causing nuisance. New technologies make it possible to turn the lights on only when an aircraft is nearby. This means the lights are on much less often, reducing disturbance.
How does the subsidy work?
The scheme for wind turbine operators reimburses 40% of the costs for purchasing and installing a system of transponders or radar. This system detects aircraft and switches the lighting on only when necessary.
The subsidy amount has been adjusted to a ceiling of 20ac610,000. The total subsidy amount has been adapted to match current costs and needs.
Windpark N33
In 2025, the wind farm along the N33 already made use of the subsidy. The operators, Euris and RWE, are installing the system. They expect that in the first quarter of 2026, the lights of 35 turbines will be turned off. We hope other wind farms will follow soon. We are in talks with operators about this.
