The Netherlands – Falck Renewables has received approval from the Beuningen municipal council for the zoning plan and environmental permit that will allow the proposed wind farm in the Dutch province of Guelders (Gelderland) to be built.
Falck Renewables is developing the five-turbine project through their Dutch subsidiary, Falck Renewables Nederland, which owns a 25% stake in the project, in collaboration with energy cooperative EnergieVoorVier and Dutch utility Eneco.
The project, which is 50 percent owned by the local energy cooperative EnergieVoorVier, places a strong emphasis on community engagement. Residents who are cooperative members will be able to invest in the wind farm and directly benefit from the value created by the production of clean energy. A portion of the plant’s profits will be directed to a fund overseen by a board of local residents and representatives from non-governmental organizations. The fund will aid in the implementation of environmental initiatives proposed by the local community. Payments for land use rights will be distributed among landowners and local residents.
The granting of the environmental permit is a critical step in the permitting process and demonstrates the local community’s support. The decision supports the municipality’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040. The wind farm could be up and running as early as 2025.
