Letter of Intent for the OER Project Energy Park Volkeraksluizen

On December 19, the municipality of Moerdijk, the Province of North Brabant, and Rijkswaterstaat will sign a letter of intent for the OER project Energy Park Volkeraksluizen. With this step, the three parties agree to jointly conduct further research into renewing the existing wind turbines at Volkeraksluizen and Dintelmond. This renewal – also called repowering – may mean that old turbines are replaced by modern, more powerful models.

Deputy Bas Maes (Energy): With this project, we take a next step towards more sustainable energy in our region by investigating how existing wind turbines can be carefully renewed. We do this with attention to nature, safety, landscape, and involvement of the local community.

Part of the Regional Energy Strategy (RES)

The renewal of the wind turbines is part of the Regional Energy Strategy (RES). At the request of the municipality and the province, the project was included in the OER program (Energy Generation on Government Real Estate) on April 2, 2025. This means that government land can be used for sustainable energy generation. The Moerdijk municipal council has determined that any larger turbines may be placed on the south side of the lock complex, out of direct sight of the historic fortified city of Willemstad.

Further research into possibilities and effects

In 2025, it was broadly examined whether renewing the wind turbines is possible. This initial research shows that it is useful to investigate this further and more precisely. A specialized agency will therefore conduct more extensive research and will look at, among other things:

• Space and environment: such as shadow flicker, noise, safety, landscape, and the impact on defense and radar systems.
• Nature (ecology): such as the effects on protected nature areas (Natura 2000, Nature Network Netherlands, and Nature Network Brabant), and on birds, bats, and other animals. Because the area is both culturally and ecologically valuable, close cooperation between all parties is very important.

It will also be investigated whether there is space for solar energy and for storing energy in batteries. Additionally, it will be examined whether renewing the wind turbines is affordable and financially feasible.

In this phase, it will also be determined which government authority will have the final say. Preparations for a tender will also begin. Through such a tender, a market party can later be chosen to develop the energy project.

Involving the community

The community is important for this project. Residents, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders will be regularly involved and clearly informed about the steps taken during the research. Additionally, steps are already being taken to explore how people and local parties can financially participate, for example through local ownership. This way, the community remains well involved and everyone can contribute ideas about the developments.

About the OER Project Energy Park Volkeraksluizen

The OER project Energy Park Volkeraksluizen is a collaboration between: the municipality of Moerdijk, the Province of North Brabant, Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), and the Government Real Estate Agency (RVB).

The OER program supports energy regions in achieving their goals from the RES. The program is carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth. Government land is made available through a tender to a developer, who then realizes and operates the energy project for 20 to 25 years.