When you think of Holland, you think of this:
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So when travelling throughout the country, you’re not surprised to see this:
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Wind turbines are a relatively common site throughout the Netherlands – a nice contrast to the surviving windmills from previous centuries that satisfy tourist expectations.
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But it’s also an ironic juxtaposition, because those wind turbines weren’t made by the Dutch. Most likely they came from Denmark – a country that made a strategic decision to get into wind power in a big way, and is now a world power in this technology. The Dutch just didn’t take it seriously soon enough, and lost the economic opportunity, and the jobs, that could have been levered on its historic brand.
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Another reason for their reluctance, perhaps, is the objection of citizens to what they call horizon spoilers – the impact of turbines and powerlines on their historic landscape.
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Though one of the densest countries on earth, The Netherlands still has a remarkable amount of uncluttered, bucolic open space – their ‘Green Heart’ – that, when not covered by greenhouses, is highly valued for its scenic quality. Turbines are an intrusion into that illusion.
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Yes, it’s more complicated than that, given the economics of energy and the politics of sustainability. But one consequence of increasing use of alternative energy was likely unanticipated:
The Netherlands is mothballing some of its coal-fueled power plants – or at least putting some of them on stand-by for peak loads. Why? Because they can get cheaper power from Germany.
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And why is that? Because the Germans have a surplus of electricity.
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And the cause of that? Why, the success of their programs to build wind and solar capacity. Wind farms are everywhere, and the country, despite its northern climate, has one of the highest installation rates of rooftop solar panels in the world.
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The solar panels, though, likely came from China. And so, just two days ago, this:
BERLIN (AP) — The European Union announced Tuesday that it is imposing anti-dumping levies on imports of Chinese solar panels, in a move that could trigger a trade war between two of the world’s largest economies.
We unavoidably live in a world of good intentions, self-interest and unanticipated consequences.
“When you think of Holland, you think of this” No I do not!
I thinq of approaching the Rhine Estuary with all those weird things whirling around. Whoom whoom whoom: what a ghastly introduction!
And evidently they are proving to be an energy boondoggle to boot!
A coal power plant or a giant dam would have been a much better introduction, obviously…
Thanks for the laugh, Jarek!
Ontario’s experience may mirror the experience in Canada.
It’d be ok with more wind power, but a lot of ppl in ON sure aren’t…
http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/05/15/ontario_cabinet_ministers_told_to_smooth_out_wind_turbine_conflict.html