Abstract
MER KAVEL VI WINDENERGIEGEBIED HOLLANDSE KUST (WEST)
The Netherlands has formulated ambitious targets for the generation of sustainable -renewable - energy. Wind energy plays a prominent role in this. The Climate Agreement refers to the production of at least 49 TWh of offshore wind energy by 2030 and is in line with the Roadmap for offshore wind energy. The roadmap provides plans for approximately 11 gigawatts of wind farms at sea in 2030.
The Offshore Wind Energy Act gives the government the opportunity to issue sites for the development of offshore wind farms.
In order to achieve the target of 49 TWh in 2030, new sites will have to be established and issued in the coming years. The sites will be determined within the boundaries of the areas already designated as wind farm zone in the National Water Plan. This concerns 1.4 GW in the area of Hollandse Kust (west), 0.7 GW in the area Ten noorden van de Waddeneilanden, and approximately 4 GW in the area of IJmuiden Ver. The Wind Farm Site Decision (WFSD) determines where and under what conditions a wind farm may be built and operated. A decision on the site is followed by the issuing of a tender. The winner of the tender will receive a permit for the construction and operation of the wind farm. Only the permit holder has the right to build and operate a wind farm at the site.
The Water Decree lays down general rules for offshore wind farms.
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate (in agreement with the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) is responsible for issuing sites and, for that purpose, drafts an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for each wind farm site decision.
This document concerns the EIA for site VI in the wind farm zone Hollandse Kust (west). The EIA describes the environmental effects that occur during the construction, operation and removal of wind turbines in the sites.
The wind turbines installed in the Hollandse Kust (west) site must be connected to the high voltage grid. TenneT is responsible for this connection. This concerns two platforms in the Hollandse Kust (west) zone, the cables from these platforms to and over land, and the connection to the onshore high-voltage grid. TenneT is carrying out a separate procedure for the offshore grid, including an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
This summary will cover the following topics:
- The policy context and the reason for the site decisions to be taken;
- The choice of location for the Hollandse Kust (west) wind farm zone;
- The site division within the Hollandse Kust (west) wind farm zone;
- The impact assessment method;
- The results of the impact assessment;
- Cumulation;
- Mitigating measures;
- The considerations;
- Any gaps in knowledge and information;
- Monitoring and evaluation.