Within the search area for wind energy on the Blackwaterland side, a number of landowners and residents joined forces. For they too realised that it makes sense to seek each other out in order to collectively influence the implementation of a project for large-scale sustainable energy generation. After all, the question is not whether there will be windmills, but when and who will realise them. In order for landowners/residents not only to experience the burdens, but also to benefit from the joys, they thought it wise to take control. The environment and local ownership are central.

There is an initiative group working on the formation of a cooperative by producing draft statutes and there is an initiative group making proposals on the process to be followed. There is also a sounding board group advising on behalf of residents and landowners in the area. The sounding board group has advised enlarging the initiative area towards Genne, Haerst and the Ruiten. The initiators made a proposal to connect residents and landowners and act jointly in an area cooperative that covers an area that does justice to both municipalities. And where various tasks, projects and challenges can be woven together.

LEIS is guiding this bottom-up initiative and aiming for 100% local ownership.