Abstract

The Dutch government is committed to replacing fossil energy with energy that impacts the environment less. Measures for deploying renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, are described in the Climate Agreement (2019). These new energy sources can, however, also have adverse effects on health and safety (occupational safety and risks for our living environment).

On the instructions of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK), RIVM has investigated what these adverse effects might be. Its study shows that the drawbacks are relatively minor. However, some energy sources can clearly cause adverse effects on health and safety.

With respect to health, the adverse effects of wind energy and biomass were primarily examined. Wind turbines cause noise pollution if they are constructed in the vicinity of residential areas and biomass-fired plants and wood-burning stoves cause air pollution.

When it comes to safety, there must be sufficient distance between wind turbines and residential areas. Furthermore, wind turbines must be constructed and maintained such that they are safe. This also applies to solar panels, batteries and heat pumps. If hydrogen and biogas are used, measures that minimise the risk of fire and explosion will be required.

The exact extent of the effects on health and safety will depend on the choices made by the Dutch government; i.e. which new energy sources will be used where. The results of this study can be taken into consideration when these choices are made. RIVM also suggests ways to minimise the adverse effects in question: to reduce the noise made by wind turbines or the emissions from biomass plants and wood-burning stoves, for example.

It recommends that a watchful eye be kept on the effects of new energy sources in the coming years. This report is one of three studies on the consequences for health of climate policy. Together they show that climate policy is not only beneficial in limiting climate change but is also beneficial to health.