Brussels: Wind Turbine Project Faces Local Opposition in Drogenbos

A proposed wind turbine near Brussels is facing local opposition, highlighting the challenges of renewable energy projects in densely populated areas. The planned turbine, slated for the Allnex site in Drogenbos, Belgium, has drawn criticism from local officials who fear its impact on quality of life and property values.

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Officials in Drogenbos and Sint-Pieters-Leeuw voiced their concerns following an information session held on March 5, 2026, with Luminus, the energy company behind the project. The turbine is intended to generate approximately 12,000 MWh of green energy annually, enough to power roughly 3,300 homes, and avoid 1,750 tons of CO2 emissions each year, according to Luminus.

However, Drogenbos Mayor Alexis Calmeyn and council member José Lefever expressed strong reservations. “Étant donné l’impact potentiel d’une éolienne de 220 mètres de hauteur sur la qualité de vie des habitants et l’impact visuel, l’administration locale de Drogenbos poursuivra, en collaboration avec la commune de Leeuw-Saint-Pierre, toutes les démarches nécessaires pour s’opposer à cette installation,” the municipality stated. The officials are concerned the 220-meter-tall turbine will be more than double the height of a nearby cooling tower.

They also argue the industrial area of Allnex is too small for the turbine and that the initial invitation to the information session was limited to residents within a 500-meter radius and was only available in Dutch, a point of contention in a bilingual municipality. The case underscores the difficulties of balancing renewable energy goals with local community concerns.

According to the Drogenbos local government, they will continue to grab all necessary steps, in collaboration with Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, to oppose the project. A public inquiry is expected to follow, where residents will have an opportunity to voice their opinions. The municipalities are prepared to challenge the project, citing concerns that the turbine does not meet minimum distance requirements from nearby homes, as outlined in ministerial decrees.