Number of wind turbines on Dutch land rises 61% to 3,553 in under 10 years
The number of onshore wind turbines in the Netherlands has surged by 61 percent in under ten years, reaching a total of 3,553, according to data from the Kadaster. Since 2020, hundreds of massive wind turbines taller than 200 meters have been added to the landscape.
“Wind turbines are a crucial method for generating sustainable energy. However, their noise and shadows also cause disturbances,” said Martin Tillema, an energy transition expert at the Kadaster.
The majority of wind turbines stand more than one kilometer away from residential areas, although 150 are located within built-up areas. “Municipalities with the highest number of turbines within built-up zones include Amsterdam with twenty and Waadhoeke with ten,” the report states. By the end of last year, there were over 400 turbines taller than 200 meters, a visible increase from just five turbines of this size before 2019.
Geographically, the northern provinces host the most wind turbines, with Flevoland leading at 728, followed closely by Groningen with 681, and Friesland with 631. Utrecht and Limburg have the fewest wind turbines nationwide.
Concerns over noise, safety, and health risks linked to wind turbine construction have sparked several lawsuits in recent years. Just earlier this month, the Council of State ruled that the province of Gelderland must conduct a more thorough assessment of the potential health and environmental impacts of three planned turbines in Zutphen. The province has twenty weeks to demonstrate the risks posed if the coating on the turbine blades wears off and contaminates the surrounding area.
