Only five of the fourteen planned wind turbines that would be built next to the E313 between Riemst and Tongeren-Borgloon have received a permit from Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V). The five licensed turbines together will provide enough energy for the annual consumption of 25,000 households.
“We are committed to renewable energy, but with respect for local quality of life,” said Minister Brouns. “The scale of this project and the visual impact were too great to accommodate all the turbines,” he explained.
So, only wind turbines that are compatible with good spatial planning, livability, and spatial integration will receive a permit. Three turbines will now be built on the Tongeren-Oost industrial estate next to the E313 and two near the high-voltage line on the highway. Nine others will not receive a permit.
Ventori
The planned wind turbines are part of the Ventori project. Ventori is a temporary partnership of four energy companies, each initially with its own project, totaling 25 wind turbines in an area along the E313 motorway between Riemst and Tongeren.
At the request of the municipal authorities, Elicio, Eneco, Limburg Win(d)t, and Luminus combined their projects, reducing the number of applications to 14 turbines. The project’s scale caused significant concern among residents and has met with considerable resistance in both cities in recent months. During the two public inquiries, more than 3,000 objections and petitions were received.
Unfavorable recommendations
The protests arose from the size of the project, the height of the turbines and their visual impact, and their location near residential areas. The turbines would almost surround some residential areas. The municipalities of Riemst and Tongeren-Borgloon also issued unfavorable recommendations for the wind farm’s construction.
In Riemst and Tongeren-Borgloon, they’re not entirely satisfied with the new plans. They’re relieved that fewer windmills will be built, but they will now investigate the impact of the permitted windmills.
