Belgium studies impact of windmills in protected sea area

To strengthen the switch to renewable energy and become less dependent on fossil fuels, Belgium wants to extend its wind farms in the Princess Elisabeth area into a protected Natura 2000 area. 

Belgium is the first European country to build wind turbines in a protected area, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the North Sea Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD). In an attempt to map out all positive and negative aspects, the federal government has launched the EDEN 2000 project. 

Exploring options for a nature-proof development of offshore wind farms inside a Natura 2000 area (EDEN) comprises 25 scientific studies to map the impact of new wind farms on local biodiversity. Even if a certain negative effect can be demonstrated, the planned wind turbines will still be built. It then comes down to placing the turbines and/or their cables differently. ​ This may make it a bit more cumbersome, but it certainly does not need to have a major impact on the plans for the Princess Elisabeth area.

The EDEN project should be finished next year, after which the federal government can go out to tender, to find partners to install the wind turbines.

"Thanks to these studies, we will be able to perfectly fill in the preconditions for these tenders," Van Quickenborne says. ​ ​ 

The current wind turbines in the Belgian North Sea provide energy for 2 million Belgian families. With additional capacity in the Princess Elisabeth area, all Belgian families should be able to enjoy green energy from the North Sea. However, 37% of the Belgian territory in the North Sea is protected Natura 2000 area. Still, according to the Marine ​
​Spatial Plan 2020-2026, two of the new wind farm zones would end up on or in this protected area.

© BELGA