The Province of South Holland has investigated in an environmental impact report (EIR) what space is available for wind energy in the regions of Holland-Rijnland and Midden-Holland. The draft results show that there are still suitable places to realize wind energy. The province wants to provide municipalities with a handhold to enable wind energy on their territory so that they can achieve their goals for generating sustainable energy. This will help solve impending power shortages with energy from the local area. The province will engage in discussions with the regions and the community about these initial results.
The Province of South Holland has made agreements with the national government, water boards, and municipalities for local energy generation. The municipal councils, water boards, and Provincial States have decided to generate 6.3 to 6.8 TWh of sustainable energy in South Holland by 2030. In the RES regions of Midden-Holland and Holland-Rijnland, the targets have not yet been met. This is partly due to provincial policy providing insufficient space.
For these RES regions, the province has therefore investigated how it can provide space in provincial policy for the realization of wind turbines, so that the established RES agreements can be met. With an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), the province has researched space for wind energy. An EIR investigates what the possible effects of wind turbines in a certain area are.
Four Scenarios
In the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), locations were examined from the following scenarios:
- Locations provided by partners: takes maximum account of the locations provided by the RES partners (submitted November 2024).
- Landscape: takes maximum account of the impact on the landscape (for example, not fragmented into small patches throughout the landscape)
- Nature: takes maximum account of the effects on ecology (for example, not in goose resting areas)
- Living Environment: takes maximum account of the living environment (for example, as far away as possible from residential areas).
The results of the research are presented in a map. The province has compiled the technically best-rated locations in a map. The spots on the maps are the first results of the research. There may still be locations that drop out. Nothing is set in stone yet. In the coming months, the maps will serve as input for discussions within the province, with municipalities, and with residents.
Technically Best Rated Locations
The province has also created a map with the locations that are technically best rated in the EIR. With these locations, large residential areas are avoided as much as possible through clustering, connections to multiple landscape structures are made, and sufficient space for biodiversity and meadow birds is maintained. The map with the technically best-rated locations is not a prescription for where wind energy must go, but a guide to municipalities to further develop their preferences. The selection of locations on the map of Technically Best Rated Locations is made solely based on the draft evaluations in the EIR. The Provincial Executive and Provincial States will also consider the input from RES partners and the outcomes from participation in the decision-making process.
Follow-up Process
The province wants to facilitate the RES regions by incorporating these locations with appropriate provincial instruments into the Environmental Policy. We would like to discuss with the regions how we can address differences in speed and governance mandates between municipalities and the province, and provide additional time and space within the process. The principle remains that municipalities handle the permitting for the realization of wind projects themselves.
Participation
From now until September, municipalities have time to provide input and, if desired, inform and consult their councils and come up with a response and proposals. The Provincial Executive will take this input into account when creating the Draft Revision.
After the summer recess, the province will, in coordination with the RES partners, start a participation process for residents. This participation process will run parallel to the revision of the Environmental Policy and will continue beyond mid-September 2025. Municipalities also have room to take up participation themselves.
We Need Wind Energy
Wind energy is clean and necessary to ensure there is enough electricity to connect new neighborhoods, businesses, and schools. It also makes us less dependent on foreign energy suppliers. In combination with solar energy (and energy storage), it solves problems with demand congestion (power shortages). A shortage of electricity hinders the economic and social development of South Holland. Therefore, generating electricity in the local area is of great importance.
EIR
An Environmental Impact Report is an extended environmental impact assessment (EIA). It is a study of the effects of a plan or project on the environment. It provides information that can be used in decision-making by governments on spatially impactful decisions. This EIR is a study of the possibilities for wind energy in the regions of Midden-Holland and Holland Rijnland. In particular, it looked at effects on the landscape, the consequences for nature, and the living environment of residents.