Ministers have a final decision on 11 locations for massive new wind farms which will help ensure 14% of Dutch energy usage comes from green sources by 2020.

The locations were first nominated by provincial governments and have now been given cabinet approval.

The turbines will be concentrated in Eemshaven, Delfzijl, Veendam, the Drentse Veenkoloniën, Wieringermeer, IJsselmeer Noord, Flevoland, Noordoostpolderdijk, Rotterdamse Haven, Goeree-Overflakkee and Krammersluizen.

Protests

Last year the government published its plans for a number of offshore wind farms to vociferous local protest.

The Netherlands is one of the slowest countries in Europe to make progress towards sustainable energy targets, according to a European Commission report published in March.

Green energy accounted for just 4.5% of Dutch energy usage in 2012 and  only Britain, France and Malta have a worse record, the report shows. The Dutch target of 14% is also one of the least ambitious in Europe.

Reaction
In a reaction, Hans Berkhuizen of environmental organisation Milieudefensie told the Telegraaf he is not happy with three of the locations.
‘Eemshaven, Flevoland and IJsselmeer Noord all border on protected nature reserves,’ he said. ‘The possible damage from wind farms on these three areas has not yet been fully investigated.’
Berkhuizen wants the government to delay building on the three locations until the environmental effect has been looked into.