Renewable Energy Generation
When generating renewable energy on a large scale, it is important that this is done in consultation with local residents and with respect for the surrounding landscape, in addition to technical and financial requirements. By aiming for 50% cooperative ownership, we want to ensure that as much of the revenue as possible flows back to local residents and associations. There is also an Environment Fund, into which part of the profits from operations are deposited. With this fund, for example, local associations can be helped, or local residents can benefit from discounts on solar panels.
The need for proper landscaping of large-scale projects has led to an "Energy Opportunity Map.
View the Energy Opportunities Map in PDF (enlarge)
This Map shows where in the municipality of Leudal there might be room for windmills and solar meadows. This includes the presence of buildings, nature, and possibilities for connection to the electricity grid.
Solar
It is also important to generate more sustainable energy on a smaller scale, and roofs are ideally suited to be fitted with solar panels. The goal of Leudal is therefore that in 2050 all roofs of suitable buildings and houses in the municipality are equipped with solar panels. This applies to individuals, companies and institutions. We want to do this primarily by providing independent advice and relieving residents and businesses of worries. The fiscal attractiveness of installing solar panels depends mainly on technical developments in the coming years, subsidy schemes from the state and a decrease in the market price. This is expected to fall even further.
According to the national Climate Monitor 2019, 82 Terajoules (TJ) are generated by solar panels in Leudal. That is 2,525 households, and 4.3% of the amount of energy needed in 2050 according to the energy mix. This already saves 57 tons ofCO2 per year. For 2025, the goal is to generate 190 TJ or 10% of the total amount needed through solar on roofs. There are still 7.109 households in Leudal where profits can be made!
This is in line with the goals of the national Climate Agreement: a 95% reduction inCO2 emissions by 2050. The overview on the right shows the total desired energy mix of Leudal in 2050.
Wind Energy
In the Netherlands, we mainly build wind turbines at sea. These large wind farms can generate energy for hundreds of thousands of households. However, in order to meet the growing demand for energy, it remains necessary to also develop wind turbines on land. Seven wind turbines are now operating at the Neer De Heibloem wind farms. Construction of three wind turbines at the De Kookepan wind farm has recently commenced. Thanks to these wind turbines, the municipality of Leudal is a leader in Limburg when it comes to large-scale generation of sustainable energy.
In addition to the already existing wind turbines, and the 3 new wind turbines, the vision is to eventually work toward a total of 17 wind turbines to meet future needs for renewable energy. Again, it is important that the revenues flow back to the environment as much as possible, through cooperative ownership and an Environment Fund. The lifespan of the current wind turbines is about 25 years, after which the desired energy mix will be reassessed.