The Flemish government has launched a fast-track procedure for wind farm projects. The procedure includes stricter deadlines for appeals against proposed wind farms and additional staff to find suitable sites for wind turbines. The news that first appeared in the daily ‘Het Nieuwsblad’ has since been confirmed by the Flemish Energy Minister Melissa Depraetere (socialist).
New fast track procedure aims to speed up the installation of onshore wind turbines
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This year just 13 new onshore wind turbines have been installed in Flanders. The Flemish Government’s aim is for 2,800 megawatts (MW) of electricity to be produced by wind turbines in our region by 2030. In order to realise this, a fast-track procedure for wind turbines has been put place, the Flemish Energy Minister’s office confirms.
The appeal procedures against wind farm projects will now be given priority. A target of a maximum of 9 months to process appeals against onshore wind farm projects has been set. Currently it takes an average of more than 2 years to process appeals against wind farm projects.
In addition to this a team of environmental managers will be appointed to work at the Environment Department unit that is responsible for issuing permits for onshore wind turbines. Their task will be to assist permit applicants to find a suitable site for their project. The level of support for a project among local residents will also be taken into account.
From 1 January, a new subsidy support system for wind turbines will be introduced. The previous Flemish government abolished the “green certificates” subsidy system that had been in place. Ms Depraetere’s spokeswoman Laurien Joostens told journalists that the new system “is an investment guarantee that provides support while avoiding over-subsidising”.
The Flemish Energy Minister says that she still believes that the target of 2,800 MW wind energy production by 2030 remains achievable. “It is true that few wind turbines have been built this year, but in the meantime, permits have been granted for turbines that can produce a third of the 2,800 MW and I am working on the assumption that they will be built.”