Permits

Before construction on site may commence, various authorities have to grant several permits and consents.
E-Connection has the expertise to secure construction and environmental permits, permits related to the protection of wildlife and endangered species and permits and consents by Water Management authorities.

However, before an application can be submitted much work has already been done. Which environmental aspects have to be taken in account? Will wildlife be affected? Will endangered species be affected? Which neighbors will encounter effects of the wind turbines? Which authorities and organisations are involved in the decision making? Extensive consultations with all parties concerned, detailed effect studies to various aspects of the possible impact of the proposed wind farm and a spatial plan.

In some cases an environmental impact assessment report (EIA) has to be prepared to facilitate the decision making process. E-Connection has wide experience with research and studies on the impact of wind turbines on residents living nearby, birds bats, endangered species and plants, radar, radio transmitters, road traffic, storage of dangerous materials. We also prepared several EIA reports on wind energy projects.

A sound preparation and careful decision making prevents objections and appeals and therefore delay.

E-Connection has secured permits for wind turbines on a variety of different and often complex sites. E.g. the Oosterschelde flood barrier, the ferry landing at Vlissingen, the Kreekrak locks in the Schelde-Rijn canal, in the IJsselmeer near the Ketelbrug (between Lelystad and Emmeloord) and the Afsluitdijk. For several wind farms we prepared risk assessments: e.g. the LNG terminal at Zeebrugge and the Nerefco tank storage in Europoort.

E-Connection was the first and presently the only party that has secured all permits necessary for the construction, installation, operation, maintenance and dismantling of a 120 MW offshore wind farm in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Dutch part of the North Sea, including the permits for the sub-sea cables from the wind farm to shore and the onshore cables from the dunes to the grid.