Noord-Holland rejects plans for wind turbines in Noorder IJ, Amsterdam

Politicians in Noord-Holland have nearly unanimously rejected the arrival of three wind turbines in the Noorder IJpolder, Amsterdam, by Oostzaan and Zaanstad. A request from proponents to postpone a decision, as the initiators and the municipality of Amsterdam wished, did not achieve a majority.

The Provincial Councils rejected the controversial plan a year ago while it was in concept because the large windmills would not suit the area and would cause too much damage.

The Provincial Executive was still in favor of the plans at the time until additional research last September showed that an environmental permit could not be granted. The project could also have negative consequences for birds and bats, and Rijkswaterstaat has said that they expect it to lead to an unacceptable risk for traffic safety on the Coenplein.

Coalition parties PvdA and GroenLinks voted in favor of the project last year but now had to support the proposed refusal of the provincial council "with pain in their hearts." Only the ChristenUnie voted against the refusal.

The windpark would ensure power for over 20,000 homes in Amsterdam. It is an initiative by several parties, including the energy cooperative Amsterdam Wind. They recently won a court case, which resulted in the province having to make a decision by December 10, but they still asked for a postponement.

Amsterdam’s city council has put a lot of energy into the project and feels there is not enough evidence to reject the plans. “Without wind turbines, we simply cannot step over to sustainable energy fast enough, and we will not reach our targets,” said Alderman Dirk de Jager.

Amsterdam Wind has requested an alternative permit from the city council for one wind turbine at the Noorder IJplas.

The Provincial Executive now said it has no choice but to refuse the environmental permit for the wind farm. Achieving the provincial targets for sustainable energy is not on schedule, noted deputy Rosan Kocken.