Parties join hands for wind energy in Parkstad South
Two initiators want to work together to develop a plan for wind energy in Parkstad-South. They are Statkraft and Het Coöperatieve Samenwerkingsverband. In early 2022, the municipal councils of Heerlen, Kerkrade and Simpelveld will decide on a further continuation of the cooperation that has been set in motion. With a green light, the initiators will draw up a concrete plan together with the surrounding area. This will show where and how they want to realize wind energy in Parkstad-Zuid.
Cooperation after expert panel opinion
In late July 2021, three initiators submitted a project plan for wind energy in Parkstad South. An independent panel of experts assessed the plans. The plans of the Cooperative Partnership and Statkraft fit well within the preconditions previously established. They score high, each on different components. The municipalities of Heerlen, Kerkrade and Simpelveld asked the two highest-scoring parties to explore cooperation, and they succeeded. Now the initiators are joining forces, taking the best parts of both plans into the next phase of the project.
Follow-up: decision by municipal councils and elaboration with the environment
The city councils of Heerlen, Kerkrade and Simpelveld will decide in January and February whether the two parties will be allowed to further develop their plan. With a green light, the two initiators will work with input from the surrounding area on the application for an environmental permit. In consultation with the surrounding area, they will prepare a proposal for the exact location of the windmills. They will also draw up a benefit plan. In this plan they determine, in consultation with local residents, how the area can also benefit from the wind energy generated.
Alderman Huub Wiermans (Sustainability): "Before a decision to realize wind turbines is taken, it is crucial that there is support from residents and neighbors. Here it is also important that residents and neighbors are objectively informed about how they can (co-)benefit from the revenues of the project."
Two more information meetings will take place in December: on Dec. 13 for the three municipal councils and on Dec. 16 for local residents and other interested parties. You can register via the website of Wind Energy Parkstad-Zuid for the meeting on Dec. 16.
