Gedeputeerde Staten (Provincial Executive) of the Dutch province of Noord-Holland decided this week to advise Provinciale Staten (Provincial Council) not to give final approval for the realisation of three wind turbines at the Noorder IJplas in Amsterdam.
New research results on area and species protection and a negative advice from Rijkswaterstaat (Dutch Department of Waterways and Public Works) on traffic safety are the reason that Provincial Executive now advise negatively.
Amsterdam Wind and NDSM Energie are energy cooperatives that together wish to install 3 wind turbines in and near the Noorder IJplas. On 31 March 2023, they applied for the environmental permit required to deviate from the current zoning plan. Within that plan, it is not possible to place 3 wind turbines. A condition for the Provincial Executive to grant this permit is that Provincial Council first issue a declaration of no objections (VVGB). Provincial Council decided on 13 November to intend not to issue a declaration of no objections. Anyone could submit an opinion against this intention.
New research results
At the time Provincial Council took the decision on 13 November 2023, investigations were still ongoing for the permits required due to area and species protection. It was expected that these permits could be granted and would not prevent the construction of wind turbines. However, now that the studies have been published, it appears that the construction of wind turbines could harm the conservation of bird species. There also appear to be risks to the survival of bat species in their natural range. In addition, the draft area protection licence was also refused because it cannot be excluded that the project will affect the natural characteristics of, among others, Natura 2000 area ‘Ilperveld, Varkensland, Oostzanerveld & Twiske’. Rijkswaterstaat research also shows that the construction of wind turbines would lead to an unacceptable risk to traffic safety at the nearby Coenplein.
Next steps
Following Provincial Council decision on the VVGB, Provincial Executive will make a decision on the environmental permit. If Provincial Council decide to definitively refuse the VVGB, Provincial Executive will have no choice but to refuse the environmental permit as well. Source: Province of Noord-Holland
