Protest Against New Wind Turbines in Rhede: Dutch Utilize Local Festival
The Dutch community in Rhede continues to express their opposition to the planned wind turbines in Vardingholt, with the latest demonstration taking place at a local festival in Woold. During the parade, a float adorned with a windmill and a model of the Eiffel Tower made a statement against the towering structures that could potentially be erected near the border.
The protest at the festival in Winterswijk-Woold showcased the creativity and determination of the Dutch neighbors in their fight against the proposed wind zone in Vardingholt. Decorated with a windmill and a symbolic Eiffel Tower, the float sent a clear message of resistance. The juxtaposition of the windmill with a bird of prey seemingly flying towards its blades, along with the miniature Eiffel Tower, emphasized the scale and impact of the planned wind turbines. Participants even wore t-shirts with slogans like „Wind turbines as tall as the Eiffel Tower in Paris – we never want that at the Wooldse border.“
Ricarda Kleffel, a spokesperson for the protest movement, highlighted the significance of the festival in each neighborhood of Winterswijk as a platform for community engagement and expression. She compared it to a German Schützenfest, where festivities like parades and clay pigeon shooting bring people together. The tradition of decorating floats for the parade, similar to the flower parade in Winterswijk, allowed residents to creatively showcase their concerns about the looming threat of the Rhede wind turbines.
In the small village of Woold, home to 900 residents, the fear of the Rhede wind turbines looms large this year. The resistance from the Dutch community stems from the prospect of massive wind energy facilities reaching heights of around 250 meters right at the border. The ongoing efforts to amend the land use plan to designate new wind zones in Vardingholt and Büngern have sparked controversy and mobilized local opposition. The final decision on this matter is expected to be made by the council early next year.
The residents of Winterswijk are exploring legal avenues to challenge the proposed wind turbines, with Kleffel mentioning ongoing discussions about potential legal actions. The province of Gelderland is also involved in the process, advocating for European-wide regulations on how to address the expansion of renewable energy projects near borders. In Winterswijk, the construction of wind turbines is currently prohibited due to concerns about their impact on nature reserves like the Wooldse Veen.
The increasing presence of German wind turbines near the Dutch border, including projects in Southlohn and Oeding, has heightened tensions and raised the alarm for residents. Kleffel noted that a dozen Dutch border communities are now affected by German wind turbine developments, prompting discussions about potential collaboration and joint actions to address these concerns collectively.
Meanwhile, the preparations for the land use plan amendment in Rhede are progressing, with nearly 100 objections received by the city following the public consultation. This unprecedented level of dissent has necessitated a thorough review of the feedback from various stakeholders, including associations, neighboring municipalities, and institutions. The results will be presented to the policymakers for consideration, with potential implications for the future development of citizen-owned wind parks in Vardingholt and Büngern.
As the debate over the Rhede wind turbines continues to unfold, the Dutch community remains steadfast in their opposition, utilizing creative means like the festival in Woold to amplify their voices and express their concerns. The ongoing discussions around legal challenges, European regulations, and collaborative efforts underscore the complexity of the issue and the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to address the conflicting interests and priorities at play. The outcome of the council’s decision on the land use plan amendment will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of renewable energy development in the region and determine the extent of community involvement and engagement in shaping their environment.
