Netherlands Faces Outcry As Historic Village Faces Demolition Over “Green” Energy Expansion (Worthy News Investigation)
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
MOERDIJK (Worthy News) – Climate-anxiety–driven policies have prompted authorities in the Netherlands to decide to demolish a historic village for the expansion of industry linked to the nation’s “green” energy transition, leaving generations of residents in despair.
In a move critics say resembles practices in communist-run China, the 1,130 residents of Moerdijk in the southern Netherlands were told to leave, with bulldozers expected to destroy all homes and buildings of the village, whose roots date back as far as the year 967, when it bore a different name.
The decision comes despite a national housing crisis in this small, densely populated seafaring nation of 18 million people, partly linked to the ongoing influx of migrants from mainly Muslim countries and controversial climate policies, critics say.
Leaders of the municipality to which Moerdijk belongs want to create more space for the nearby port and industrial zone as part of a new national energy infrastructure to meet the country’s climate and other Green Agenda-linked goals.
The project, known as the “Powerport” energy-hub development, requires around 400–500 hectares of land for high-voltage substations, transformer stations, pipelines, and associated infrastructure to support “green” industry and electrification, including, for instance, offshore wind-power connections.
MAYOR CALLS MOVE “EMOTIONALLY DIFFICULT”
During a public meeting, Mayor Aart-Jan Moerkerke described the decision as emotionally difficult but necessary. “We are asking an enormous sacrifice from our residents. People have lived with uncertainty for years. This is a moment to take responsibility and to do what we promise,” he told reporters.
Under the plan, residents may be able to stay in the village for up to 10 years, with construction of the energy facilities expected to begin in 2028 and be completed by 2033.
While the municipal council has attached “strict conditions” to the plan, residents fear it will approve the demolition as early as December 1.
“Some people say you must’ve been living under a rock if you didn’t see it coming, but that’s not true,” said villager Andrea Tolenaars, who runs a local catering shop.
“I’ve been saying for months that this blow would come someday. Many customers in my shop have been renovating their homes, putting in swimming pools. I’d say: ‘Should you really be doing that?’ But I did the same — only this month they’re installing a new front door for nearly 10,000 euros ($10,800). I regret it now.”
“DISBELIEF” AS VILLAGE FUTURE EVAPORATES
Elderly residents recall newspaper clippings dating back to 1966 predicting that the village would one day disappear. “If you hear that often, you eventually think: ‘It’ll be fine.’ But when you look at what developments should have happened in recent years, and what didn’t happen — many projects never started, kept being postponed — then something is clearly brewing. So there’s disbelief among the people,” Tolenaars added.
Surprisingly, seven new homes were built recently. Residents are also wondering what will happen to the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. While compensation has been offered, Tolenaars fears it won’t be enough to rebuild their lives or maintain her family business. “We almost bought another building for 400,000 euros ($432,000). But now it’s 1.1 million euros ($1,188,000). I can’t leave my daughter with that debt burden.”
Geert-Jan Knoops, a prominent Dutch lawyer, said the case “touches on the European Convention on Human Rights: property rights, proportionality, necessity, and compensation must meet strict standards.”
He stressed that the “proposed 95 percent compensation is likely insufficient under European case law, which also requires compensation for loss of livelihood, cultural heritage, emotional ties, and social networks. Therefore, residents can challenge the decision legally.”
POLITICAL PROMISES COLLIDE WITH REALITY
Yet despite these uncertainties, residents fear the municipality will approve the demolition of their village under pressure from the Dutch central government.
Ironically, the likely incoming Prime Minister, Rob Jetten — whose left-leaning centrist Democrats 66 (D66) won last month’s elections — had promised to build 10 new cities, even as his party supported nitrogen regulations that experts say make this impossible.
Following the vote, former D66 government minister Roger van Boxtel clarified that these words were not meant literally, “but much more a metaphor for how you want to solve a problem in society.” Moerdijk residents would agree.
a
💡 Did you know? One of the best ways you can support Worthy News is by simply leaving a comment and sharing this article.
📢 Social media algorithms push content further when there’s more engagement — so every 👍 like, 💬 comment, and 🔄 share helps more people discover the truth. 🙌