The wind turbine, which is estimated to take twelve months to build, is to produce green energy, mainly to operate the site. Between 70 and 85% of the production will be consumed by the plant. The remainder, 15 to 30%, will be fed back into the public grid. The total expected production would be 7,000 to 9,000 MWh/year, or the annual consumption of 2,000 to 2,500 households.
When the project was announced, residents of Forest had expressed their concerns. In the sights of the local residents: the size of the building. The model chosen is a three-bladed wind turbine. While this type of wind turbine is preferred for its low noise pollution, its size reaching a maximum height of 200 meters, with the main tower and the blades, makes teeth grind.We have had several online meetings to explain the project. Discussions are still ongoing.”says the energy supplier.
Suspend the file
The wind turbine mast will display the Eneco and Audi logos. This project is perplexing given the current situation at Audi’s Forest site. Eneco assures that the project will continue.We are keeping this approach and we will see in the future. We are in constant discussion with Audi about this file.”
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If Eneco wants to be confident, the municipality of Forest wants the actors in charge of the file to keep their feet on the ground.We acknowledge their desire to move forward, but given the uncertainties surrounding the Audi site, it seems complicated.”replies Alain Mugabo (Ecolo), alderman for Urban Planning in Forest.
The municipality of Forest also intends to write a letter to the regional agency Urban.brussels to request that this planning permission application be suspended.The purpose of the request is no longer relevant. We are talking about installing a wind turbine for a factory whose future is uncertain. In our opinion, the impact report should be redone.”adds Alain Mugabo.
No profit for Forest
The future of the Audi factory is not the only black spot in the file.Eneco cannot produce electricity in the Brussels region”the alderman points out. Eneco is not listed as an energy supplier in Brussels according to Brugel, the Brussels regulatory authority for electricity, gas and water price control. The share of energy returned to the public network would therefore be intended for neighbouring Flemish municipalities.
“They cannot redistribute the energy to Brussels households. It is therefore difficult to see the benefits of this wind turbine for the people of Forest in the short term.” In principle, the municipality of Forest is not against the presence of a wind turbine on its territory.We support projects aimed at developing renewable energy, but we prefer to wait until the Brussels Region has a legal framework allowing the installation of wind turbines.”
The Brussels Region opens the door to large wind turbines on its territory
Forest continues its discussions with Eneco.They were advised to postpone the case, even though we understood that this was not their wish.”regrets Alain Mugabo.
In the meantime, the public inquiry will continue until October 9. The municipality will then submit its opinion to the consultation committee, unless Urban agrees with them and decides to suspend the case.
