Wed May 8, 2024, 1:13 PM
DRAGON – Smallingerland is investigating whether small wind turbines may be placed in more places in rural areas than just at agricultural companies. Finally, in Friesland, the municipality will soon allow the Groningen windmill and alternative windmills on farms, a maximum of two to meet their own energy needs.
CDA councilor Douwe Hiemstra came up with the proposal to also make wind turbines possible for energy cooperatives and suppliers, such as contracting companies. The Province of Fryslân is working on plans for this, but they will not be confirmed until after the summer at the earliest, “although that is not yet a done race”, according to councilor Robin Hartogh Heys.
“We should not be at the back of the queue again if the province allows wind turbines in more places in the countryside,” said CDA member Hiemstra, who submitted the amendment together with GroenLinks. Councilor Hartogh Heys thought CDA’s idea was fine, but wanted to first test the wording of the text from a legal perspective. The city council will discuss the subject again in two weeks.
The other council factions were enthusiastic about the idea of also allowing the small wind turbines on other yards in the countryside. They want to give permission not only to companies affiliated with agriculture and energy cooperatives, but also to private individuals. It is expected that an investment in a wind turbine is not attractive for private individuals, but the decision about such investments lies with the initiators themselves, according to councilor Hartogh Heys.
