Recreation on Maasvlakte 2 beach
In 2022, Eneco built a wind farm on behalf of the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management. Maasvlakte 2 wind farm consists of 22 wind turbines, ten of which are located on the dike and 12 on the (extensive) beach, partly in the tide line. After construction, the area is open to the public again. Recreationists are welcome on this part of the beach, except kite surfers. Around the wind farm, everyone can again walk, swim, surf, kayak and so on. All types of kitesurfing, including wave kiting, are not allowed in the areas near P5 and P6. The wind turbines change the look of this beautiful recreational area, but what else will you notice as a holidaymaker? We list a few things:
Maintenance:
A wind farm needs regular maintenance. This means that sometimes mechanics will drive vehicles to the turbines. Of course, they do so very carefully and pay close attention to visitors to the beach. They also drive the same route as much as possible: from one of the four dune crossings along the route that causes the least inconvenience. If necessary, we will cordon off a section of the beach or dike around where we are working.
Cameras hang under the wind turbines on the beach. These monitor the erosion and sand formation of the beach around the turbine, so that Eneco knows in time when repairs are needed. These cameras are set so that people are not recognisable in the picture. Erosion holes and currents:𠊌urrents and tides continuously change the sand around the wind turbines on the beach. Eneco monitors this closely and repairs gullies or holes when necessary. Therefore, a stretch of beach around a turbine may be temporarily blocked off.
Erosion holes and currents:
Currents and tides continuously change the sand around the wind turbines on the beach. Eneco monitors this closely and repairs gullies or holes when necessary. Therefore, a stretch of beach around a turbine may be temporarily blocked off.
Sound and shadow:
Turning the blades creates an air vortex that creates noise. To reduce noise on the side of the bathing beach, Eneco has installed owl feathers on the two southernmost wind turbines on the beach. This is a jagged edge of plastic fitted along the edge of the blades. The owl feather technology is an innovative way of dividing the air vortex into much smaller vortices. This can reduce noise by up to 2 decibels. When the sun shines, the rotating blades cast a moving shadow. We call this cast shadow. As the sun rotates, the shadow slowly shifts across the ground. Construction of site for vehicles: The maintenance of Wind Farm Maasvlakte 2 requires large beach vehicles. In the dunes, close to P1, Eneco is building a shed for those vehicles that is expected to be ready in late 2024/early 2025. We will minimise construction.
