No solar parks on farmland

An agreement from the Climate Agreement is that 30 energy regions in our country will investigate where and how best to generate sustainable electricity. Where is space and how much, are the places socially acceptable and financially feasible? Each region answers these questions with its own choices in a so-called Regional Energy Strategy (RES). 

The provisional balance of the RESes shows that the ambitions are even 50% higher than the target. About half of the green energy comes from wind and the other half from the sun. This ratio is now about 2:1. A significant shift in the direction of solar parks.

In the first place, the Netherlands is a (very) small country in terms of surface area. Every square meter is intended for functions such as agriculture, housing, industrial sites, infrastructure and nature. Green energy from solar parks takes up the most space. Such a choice is not logical for the Netherlands. The first solar parks on agricultural land have been realized. Given the ambitions, much more farmland will be sacrificed for this purpose. We shouldn't want that.

Never support for change
Project developers have seized their opportunities with solar parks on agricultural land. A single landowner has also benefited considerably financially. As entrepreneurs, you can't blame them for that. But it shouldn't have happened. Some get rich from it. Many bear the burden of, among other things, the energy bill. This way you will never get support for necessary changes.

The appearance of "large glass plates" on fertile farmland in a green landscape is the result of no or bad policy. More thought should have been given in advance about what is and what is not allowed in the energy transition. Speed ​​has been given priority over due care and public support. A priority order should have been established for all sustainable energy options with a clear assessment framework. For example, you have to generate solar power on sunny roofs of homes and commercial buildings.

Extra land for recycling
In the coming years, agriculture itself will need extra land for the switch to low-emission (circular) agriculture. Agricultural production provides more economic value and employment than a field of solar panels. The transition in livestock farming and the approach to the climate and nitrogen crisis can reinforce each other well.

Animal manure is the largest biomass source for sustainable energy. Only 2% of the manure is used for biogas with which green electricity or green gas can be generated. The RES only talks about wind and sun and forgets biogas as an important energy option. This also shows a limited vision. As a region, committing yourself for years to only wind and solar energy is not flexible and inhibits the application of promising energy innovations. In short, a lot of water will still flow through the IJssel for an effective sustainable energy supply with public support.

Jaap Uenk
Owner of mestem

Boerenbusiness

Under Boerenbusiness opinions are posted from authors who, in principle, give their opinion once Boerenbusiness.nl or from people who prefer to remain anonymous. Name and place of residence are always known to the editors.

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.