The Dutch government is weighing a proposal to clear the village of Moerdijk to accommodate critical energy infrastructure. Located 34km south of Rotterdam, the fishing community of 1,100 residents sits on a site identified by officials as a prime location for high-voltage substations needed to connect offshore wind farms to the national grid.
National planners cite the village’s proximity to ports, motorways, and existing power lines as the primary reason for the selection. However, the plan would involve the total demolition of the town within the next decade.
Local fishmonger Jaco Koman, whose family has operated in the area since 1918, described the prospect as being “brought to the slaughter house.” Koman argues that energy infrastructure should be developed further out at sea rather than on top of established communities.
A conflict of priorities
Symptoms of the village's uncertain future are visible across Moerdijk. Residents have placed flags at half-mast to mourn their home, and "for sale" signs linger on properties that few are willing to purchase. Andrea, a local grocery shop owner, fears the loss of her family home and the displacement of generations buried in the local cemetery.
Geerten Boogaard, a professor of local government at Leiden University, notes that the Dutch state possesses significant legal instruments to force land use for “vital national interest.” While local councils can object, the central government maintains the ultimate authority to proceed with the project.
This tension highlights a broader struggle in the Netherlands to manage limited land space against the urgent demand for renewable energy infrastructure. The national power grid is currently experiencing significant congestion, and the government is under pressure to move forward with the energy transition.
Municipal mayor Aart Jan Moerkerke stated that the government requires approximately 450 hectares of land for the project, which includes the substation facility and proposed hydrogen production plants. The central government is expected to reach a final decision on the village's status later this year.
