Wind power in the Netherlands, 1990-2002
There was a considerable increase in wind power capacity in 2002: from 191 MW to 677 MW. This was 39% more than in 2001.
Considerable increase in wind power capacity on land in 2002
Wind power capacity increased in 2002 by 191 MW. This was 39% more than in 2001 and pushed total wind power capacity on land in the Netherlands up to 677 MW on 1 January 2003, spread over 1467 wind turbines. The objective for the Netherlands is 1,500 MW of wind power capacity on land in 2010.
The largest increase in wind power capacity in 2002 was achieved in the provinces of Flevoland and South Holland. The province of Flevoland has most wind power capacity. With an installed load of 273 MW in 2002, Flevoland was the first province to achieve the provincial objective of 220 MW.
The limited availability of sites and the long planning and objection procedures are the main obstacles to establishing wind power capacity.
Policy relating to wind energy
The objective for the Netherlands is 1,500 MW in wind power capacity on land by 2010. In order to achieve this objective, all the provincial authorities signed the National Wind Energy Development Covenant (Bestuursovereenkomst Landelijke Ontwikkeling Windenergie: BLOW) on 10 July 2001. The aim of BLOW is to increase wind energy capacity on land. After signing, the provincial authorities are expected to deal with the necessary planning arrangements and will take an active approach to establishing the desired wind power capacity. BLOW sets out a number of objectives for the wind power capacity to be established on land by 2010. The covenant sets out a minimum target for each province.
