Spatial planning experts examine “colouring pages” of energy regions

Spatial planning for energy

The research has demonstrated that the colouring of the “colouring page” is experimental and differs per region. Gerritsen: “Regions such as Zeeland and Flevoland were already well advanced in the generation of sustainable energy before the RES. The municipalities there already had experience with collaboration and policy-making on that theme. Some other regions are very much still at the start.” In addition to the history, the ambitions and wishes of the energy regions also differ. “It is not possible to make the Rotterdam port area sustainable with just a solar field or wind park. Different choices have to be made there than in a rural region with little industry.”

The researchers observed that energy choices sometimes clash with spatial aspects. Kooij: “This is why some type of spatial planning for energy is required. This involves not only looking at the generation side, but also at the question of how new forms of sustainable energy should fit into the existing landscape. The energy grid is so overloaded that we have to make strategic choices. What do we want to use the energy for: a residential area, a solar park, a business park? Not everything is possible everywhere.”

Until now, however, energy and spatial planning have been two separate worlds, each with its own language, traditions, and methods. Kooij: “It is important that those worlds look for solutions together.” Gerritsen: “A first step could be for both parties to identify the main criteria that they use for making decisions. That could make for better understanding on both sides.”