Placing wind turbines off the Dutch coast will have a minimal effect on tourism, if any, according to a new report carried out for the economic affairs ministry, the Volkskrant reports on Friday.

The report says tourist numbers will drop between 0% and 10% if wind turbines are visible on the horizon, and that tourists who stay away will spend their time in other tourist areas.

The research was carried out by a market research body named Decisio and contradicts earlier findings. A report carried out on behalf of seaside towns which oppose offshore wind farms found 17% to 20% of tourists would stay away and that 6,000 jobs would be lost.

Jobs

The Decisio report also states wind farms at sea will lead to the loss of a maximum of 1,200 jobs which would be partly offset by work in the offshore wind industry. Nor will there be any impact on house prices, Decisio says.

The report, which was commissioned by the economic affairs ministry at the behest of parliament, has yet to be officially published.

Its main findings are currently being circulated among interested parties – including environmental groups and seaside towns – for their comments, the Volkskrant says.

Energy deal

Last March, parliament gave the green light to the building of three large offshore wind farms 18 to 22 kilometres off the coast of Zeeland, Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland.

Many seaside resorts oppose the wind farms, saying they will spoil the view for holidaymakers and day trippers.

The energy agreement signed between ministers, industry and green groups in 2013 included major offshore wind farms. By 2023, some 16% of the energy used in the Netherlands is due to come from sustainable sources. The current figure is around 5%.