Flanders opposes the location of the Dunkirk wind farm

The Flemish government endorses French climate ambitions in terms of renewable energy but calls for a review of the location of the planned wind farm off the coast of Dunkirk. "The proximity of this wind farm could have significant adverse effects on shipping, the fishing industry and the economic position of Port Oostende," said Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele. "With these concrete concerns, we therefore call on the French government to reconsider that location."

France is planning an offshore wind farm in the North Sea off the coast of Dunkirk with 46 wind turbines reaching up to 300 metres high. The project would be implanted a short distance from the coast in an area adjacent to the Natura 2000 site ‘Flemish Banks’.

• Obstruction of the shipping route between Oostende and the UK, a crucial link for shipping and trade.
• Visual impact due to the height and proximity of the turbines, which are disruptive to the coastal landscape and tourism.
• Impact on fisheries and fauna and flora, particularly within the Natura 2000 site ‘Vlaamse Banken’.
• Possible interference with rescue activities, essential for safety at sea.
• Disruption of radar and navigation installations such as AIS, which are essential for safe navigation.

"It is my job to protect Flemish interests," said Diependaele. "I will continue to call for dialogue with our southern neighbours, but at the same time we support Port Oostende in its proceedings before the court in Bruges to prohibit the French construction companies from continuing the construction of the offshore wind farm off the coast of Dunkirk."

Alongside this support, Flanders also plans to start proceedings at the French Council of State against the environmental permit for the construction and operation of the wind farm's electrical connection.

Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele underlines, "Flanders supports renewable energy projects, but not at the expense of our economy, our port industry and coastal residents. This project, less than 12 kilometres from our coast, threatens that. We call on our southern neighbours to explore together alternative sites that minimise the impact on Flanders. This is a matter of good neighbourhood and mutual respect. With a bit of goodwill and dialogue, it should surely be possible to find a solution."

"The Dyck route is busy with industrial shipping and fishing vessels. The planned French wind farm at this location would cause very significant and irreparable damage to the economic and geostrategic interests of Oostende and Flanders. We are therefore particularly pleased with the support of Flanders in our fight to safeguard the western approach route to Port Oostende," concludes Dirk Declerck, CEO Port Oostende.