The Fryslân Windpark at the Afsluitdijk has gotten the green light and construction can move ahead.
Translation by Traci White
The Dutch Council of State, the highest administrative court of law in the Netherlands, approved of the plans to build the offshore windfarm on Wednesday. Now that the plans have gotten the green light, construction will move ahead on 89 wind turbines 6.5 kilometres offshore from the Noord Holland town of Breezand. The wind turbines will be located in the Frisian section of the IJsselmeer.
The plans were contested for a while due to challenges from conservancy organisations, water sport associations and the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân. The groups expressed concerns that the wind turbines would be harmful to birds, fish and bats in the area. According to Omrop Fryslân, the Council of State ruled that the plans should move forward.
The province of Friesland has earmarked 127 million euros for developing the wind farm, and reportedly expects to earn the money back once the wind turbines come online in 2020 or 2021. The 89 wind turbines are projected to generate 320 megawatts of wind energy.
Photo source: Andy Dingley/Wikipedia