The Province of North Brabant starts implementing area investments for Net op Zee Nederwiek 3. In total, €50 million is allocated for projects in the municipalities of Moerdijk, Geertruidenberg, Drimmelen, and Oosterhout. These investments aim to improve the quality of life in the region and mitigate the impact of offshore wind energy landing on the environment.
The area investments stem from national agreements on the energy transition. Nederwiek 3 is an offshore wind energy area in the North Sea where large-scale wind farms are being developed to generate sustainable electricity. The generated power comes ashore via sea cables and is converted and connected to the national high-voltage grid at a converter station near Geertruidenberg. The arrival of this infrastructure puts pressure on the living environment in the landing region. Therefore, the national government provides funds through the Climate Fund and the European Recovery and Resilience Plan.
“The energy transition is necessary but directly affects people in their living environment. Energy Deputy Bas Maes
Energy Deputy Bas Maes: “The energy transition is necessary but directly affects people in their living environment. With this €50 million, we invest specifically in nature, communities, and facilities so that the region truly benefits. We do this together with municipalities and with attention to local needs.”
The projects fall within four themes: strengthening nature and biodiversity (The variety of life in a particular area), improving the physical living environment, strengthening the regional economy, and
accelerating the energy transition. Municipalities have proposed projects that align with local challenges and regional ambitions.
Projects per municipality
In Oosterhout, investments are made in Arkendonk shopping center (links to another website). Geertruidenberg allocates funds for area development Parkzicht, Rondje Markt, Spoorpark, and the Kleine Biesbosch, strengthening the connection between city, nature, and recreation. In Drimmelen, the focus is on the village center and the village house of Lage Zwaluwe (links to another website), the Wagenberg village vision, and the Dongemondcollege area development. Moerdijk invests in the new construction of the sports and
hall center De Niervaert (links to another website) in Klundert, focused on future-proof
community facilities.