Dutch wind turbines are allowed to be much closer to homes than those in neighbouring countries, according to new research.

The research was carried out by consultancy M+P, which carries out acoustic calculations for governments and businesses.

It shows that in the Netherlands a wind park with five turbines may be built 400 metres away from houses. In Belgium the distance is 800 metres, in Germany 900 metres and in Denmark 1,050 metres.

Conflict

M+P say this is in conflict with environment ministry statements that noise standards for wind turbines in the Netherlands are ‘comparable’ with those in other European countries.

Acoustic consultant Edwin Nieuwenhuizen told the NRC that the research on the minimal distance of a wind turbine from the nearest house shows that the Netherlands has the most flexible noise standards.

‘The Netherlands has ambitious aims with wind energy,’ he told the paper. ‘In order to achieve these aims, many turbines have to be close to houses, otherwise the number needed will not fit into the country.’