The Dutch government seeks to generate an additional 10 gigawatts of wind energy in the North Sea by 2030 in order to reduce 55% of the CO2 emissions as compared to 1990. The new wind energy areas will be in addition to existing wind energy plans. An environmental impact report for these new areas has been prepared by Pondera Consult. Research carried out for the Ecology and Cumulation Framework (Kader Ecologie en Cumulatie) was used, including research into bird mortality rates (by Bureau Waardenburg) and marine mammals (by HWE). The NCEA has issued an assessment report on the environmental impact report for the Additional Design North Sea Programme 2022-2027. This assessment report is positive.
‘The environmental impact report for the designation of new wind energy areas in the North Sea provides a detailed overview of the environmental effects. The environmental impact report clearly describes which areas in the North Sea are not suitable for the wind energy targets, or cannot be realised before 2030. The environmental consequences of the prospective areas were then outlined, also in cumulation (all areas combined)’, according to the NCEA. The report provides the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management with environmental information to designate new wind energy areas. The environmental consequences of each project will then be assessed in detail at a later stage.
The full assessment report can be found at https://www.commissiemer.nl/english/advices/3595
