Towards a sustainable blue economy: how to make an industrial zone more environmentally friendly? the case of Rotterdam Harbor

Abstract

Since the worldleaders decided to reduce the emission of Carbon to stay below the threshold of 1.5 °C warming-up of the atmosphere (Paris agreement, Dec. 2015), the large-scale industrial areas have to find ways to become more environmentalfriendly. Especially areas developed in the 1960’s – 1970’s are often polluting the environment (air, water and soil) with high emission rates., due to their old fashioned modes of operation. One of the major sources of pollution is the use of fossil-fuel energy . Replacing this by more environmentally friendly alternatives is an effective step in the reduction of emissions. Several approaches look promising. In regions with frequent winds the exploitation of windmills is profitable. In sunny regions the exploitation of solarfarms is profitable. Although still in an experimental stage, the use of green hydrogen-gas might become promising in the next years.

This paper is about the preparations for the construction of a large-scale windfarm in the new, highly industrialized part of the Rotterdam harbor, where winds are all year round. It describes the different interests of the various stakeholders, and how these can be harmonized in a solid solution. Managing the differences in interest is important, because it can be the
key to succession or to failure.. Which elements create a positive business case, so that it becomes profitable for investors to step in? Creating a business case with a positive outcome can take much time, especially with many stakeholders with conflicting interests. In this case the area is not only industrial zone, also protection against flooding is a main topic and it is also an area for multiple types of recreation, including bathing, swimming, wave-surfing, wind-surfing, kite-surfing and board surfing. And this all is situated next to a protected nature reserve. The paper describes this process for the Rotterdam harbor. Once the business case is closed it will take a couple of years to select a qualified supplier/builder and to get
electricity delivere. The smart combination or else the exclusion of functions is the key to get the windfarm fitted into the spatial plans and functions. This is detailed in this paper.