Retrial for Barco wind turbine permit

After more than 12 months, the Council for Permit Disputes annulled the permit for a 4.5MW wind turbine in an industrial area at the Barco site in Kortrijk, which had been issued by Minister Demir. The Council ordered the Flemish Government to make a new decision on the permit application.

The Council ruled that the Flemish Government should have examined the license application more thoroughly and provided better justification for the license decision. 

Barco regrets the Council's ruling but sees a retrial as feasible. 

First, the Council did not substitute itself for the Flemish Government by refusing the permit application ex officio. Furthermore, the Council identified several issues regarding the spatial fit within the buffer zone of the industrial area and the wider surroundings, which the Flemish Government can address. The Council noted that the permit was based on a 2014 circular (bundling of wind turbines), which was replaced by a new 2023 circular prioritizing  energy maximization. Barco is therefore hopeful that, with additional clarifications and further investigation, the Flemish government can issue a new permit refuting the Council's concern.

"Our initial reaction is one of disappointment. However, given the strenght of our dossier and our unwavering commitment to renewable energy, we will continue to work on our permit application. We will engage with the licensing authority to further substantiate the application," says project leader Kurt Verheggen.

About Barco

Barco, headquartered in Kortrijk (Belgium), is a global company leading in visualization, networking, and collaboration technology. Its innovative solutions drive advancements in the healthcare, enterprise, and entertainment markets. At the heart of Barco’s success are over 3,000 dedicated ‘visioneers’, each passionately contributing to driving change through technology.

Listed on Euronext (BAR), Reuters (BARBt.BR), and Bloomberg (BAR BB), Barco realized sales of 1,050 million euro in 2023.

For further insights, please visit www.barco.com or connect on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

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