Introduction

As we sail back to the Netherlands after a year at sea, the wind gets a dual role—not merely facilitating our journey, but it also stimulates reflection on the use of wind power back home. Holland’s flat terrain and proximity to the North Sea make wind a significant player in its historical landscape. Traditional windmills, once essential for local safety and livelihoods, harnessed the power of wind to grind grain, saw wood, and pump out water, to drain the land.

As we approach the coast, a new sight greets us: offshore wind turbines rising from the sea, their huge blades catching the wind to produce sustainable energy. It’s a modern version of our beloved windmills, yet the contrast between these two forms of wind energy is strong. While offshore wind farms symbolize progress and environmental consciousness, their onshore counterparts often face opposition.

Anthropological scholars emphasize the value-laden nature of technologies, indicating that societal attitudes towards wind energy are deeply influenced by cultural and social factors (Dumont, 2013, Graeber, 2013, Steiner, 2023). Sleumer’s design research, available at Noud Sleumer – Conceptual Designer, seeks to understand how people actively shape the values associated with windmills and wind turbines. The old windmills, he states, were deeply embedded in an economic, technological, and social local system. Contemporary wind turbines, however, stand as anonymous steel towers. They visually alter the landscape while at the same time they seem no longer connected with the local community. Is our social relationship with wind energy alienated?

In this article, we explore a part of the Dutch energy transition, focusing on the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources through wind power. With over 3000 land-based wind turbines now scattered across the country (CBS 2023) we delve into the complexities of this transformation. With more wind projects to come, it is crucial to find pathways that foster a connection between us and the wind. What is needed to overcome the alienation? We will study the perspectives of both anti-wind turbine activists and community energy cooperatives related to wind energy projects on land.

At first, we will examine the concerns expresses by anti-wind turbine activists. They raise issues related to visual pollution, noise, and the impact on wildlife, such as the potential harm to birds. Local protests in the Netherlands have posed significant challenges for dozens of onshore wind projects. Residents’ objections have led to project cancellations, delays, or suspensions.

Next, we will explore Sleumer’s design project, which studies the disconnection between modern wind turbines and their historical counterparts, exploring the alienation felt by communities towards contemporary wind infrastructure.

Further, we turn our attention to community energy cooperatives. They represent a grassroots approach to renewable energy, where local residents actively participate in and benefit from the projects. Research by Schwenke since 2015, available at https://asisearch.nl/, shows the potential of these cooperatives. They actively reengage residents with the wind and challenge ownership structures, ensuring that companies do not monopolize its benefits.

Finally, we’ll conclude the paper with our findings. They offer insights for strategies to overcome alienation and achieve sustainable change.

Learning from anti-wind turbine activists

Wind Alarm, a growing citizens movement, opposes plans to install 150-200 meter high wind turbines in close proximity to residential neighbourhoods and natural landscapes. The objections raised by local residents have resulted in project cancellations, delays, and suspensions. Their primary concerns focus on landscape impact, public health, and property values. (https://windalarm.amsterdam/org/stichting-windalarm).

In contrast, The National Government takes the lead in coordinating decision-making for wind projects larger than 100 megawatts, which translates to 30 wind turbines. Decisions are based on the administrative agreements between the government and the provinces. Notably, the government has designated about 10 areas in the Netherlands as suitable for large-scale wind energy (Ministry of Infrastructure (2014). Wind Energy on Land Structure Vision).

One of these 10 areas, the Drentse Veenkolonieën, made national news when the local population strongly opposed the arrival of windmills in the wind park named ‘De Drentse Monden and Oostermoer’. It spans two municipalities across a vast 50-square kilometre area. While the residents acknowledge the need to address climate change, they are hesitant about living amidst 45 wind turbines. Critics raise concerns about disruption of the natural landscape: “The Veenkolonieën are flat and open. You cannot escape the dominant image of the wind turbines, the shadow cast and it’s noise”. The positive economic effects of wind turbines benefit only a limited number of residents, while the negative effects affect the majority. This has an impact on the social-economic structure. Residents also feel unheard by decision-makers, not addressing their concerns (Visscher 2019).

The notion that resistance to wind turbines can be mitigated through better information and by allowing local residents to share in the benefits—approaches that have worked elsewhere—does not seem effective in Drente. As articulated by one of the activists, “Money won’t solve this issue” (Visscher 2018, 2019). Anti-wind activists in the Drentse Veenkolonieën persistently continue their protest. Their opposition is manifest through protests, public meetings, petitions, and legal battles. In his documentary, ‘Headwind, the sorrow of the Veenkolonieën’ (2021), Vlaanderen shows the consequences when the concerns of citizens, such as visual pollution and noise, are disregarded in favour of what is often termed as ‘bulldozer politics’. Through his work, Vlaanderen underscores the importance of participatory governance and the need for decision-makers to prioritize the interests and concerns of those directly impacted.

A design approach to rethink the relation with the wind

Sleumer’s premise centres around wind turbines as a crucial solution for combatting climate change and promoting sustainable energy. However, as a designer he seeks to understand how this solution can better align with people’s needs (Sleumer, 2023-24. Wind Pavilion Exhibition in Sustainable Dutch Design, Open Air Museum in Arnhem). To address and understand the alienation some communities feel towards wind energy, as we have seen in the Drentse Veenkolonieën case, Sleumer delves into historical archives and engages with both supporters and opponents. His exploration of the contrast between traditional windmills and modern wind turbines informs his design research. Ultimately, Sleumer’s design research aims to foster how we can collectively reconnect with wind energy, considering both technological-economic and socio-cultural aspects.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional windmills Sleumer studied the archives of the Open Air Museum in Arnhem, a museum that collects and display Dutch material culture. He discovered numerous artefacts adorned with the motif of windmills. These objects such as porcelain, plates, wood carvings and more, serve as tangible reminders of the enduring presence of windmills in the Dutch collective consciousness. Moreover, Sleumer uncovered an interesting historical parallel. Back in the 1800s, windmills faced similar criticisms—they were considered horizon pollution, generated excessive noise, and emitted odours. These concerns mirror the contemporary debates and protests surrounding modern wind turbines. It’s a clear reminder that public perception of technological interventions in the landscape often follows a cyclical pattern, echoing across time.

Further, Sleumer delves into the contrast between contemporary wind turbines and traditional windmills. Modern wind turbines are typically owned by private companies or utility providers. They stand as anonymous steel towers. Unlike traditional windmills, which were closely tied to local economies, contemporary turbines may lack a direct societal or economic connection. In contrast, traditional windmills were fully embedded in the economic, technological, and social fabric of their surroundings. Each windmill had a known miller, and their multifunctional roles included grinding grain, sawing wood, and draining polders. These windmills were essential for local safety and livelihoods, contributing to stable food supplies and protecting against floods.

Finally, Sleumer interviewed both wind turbine supporters and windmill opponents. Ultimately, he identified 10 most important conditions – referred to as pillars – that  are more or less important for creating broader support for wind turbines.

Sleumer’s 10 pillars supported by RIVM data (2013, 2022, 2023);

To visually symbolize these 10 pillars and to connect them tangibly with the traditional windmills, Sleumer crafted ten miniature wind turbines. Each mini wind turbine serves as a representation of a specific pillar. Using vintage ceramic tiles, plates, and cups as building blocks, Sleumer designed a novel kind of windmill (as depicted in the picture below). Remarkably, each turbine spins at a different speed—faster rotations signify the greater importance of the corresponding pillar. This installation aims to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, inviting contemplation on our relationship with renewable energy resources (Exhibition in the Open Air Museum in Arnhem: April – October 2024).