Federal: Significant delays and higher realisation costs for renewable installations due to legal procedures in Belgium

Almost all renewable energy projects are challenged in court by those opposing their installation. Most projects are allowed to continue after the court case, but the fact alone that they are challenged leads to both financial losses and is causing delays. It specifically affects onshore wind energy projects but is certainly not limited to this technology only. 

The reason for the opposition against wind parks is often noise disturbance, but also environmental reasons (e.g. the impact of a wind turbine on the bat and bird population). Those challenging the projects have a significant amount of resources and are likely to continue the court cases for the next few years and thus the impacts for project developers are likely going to continue for the years to come. 

This also has to do with the possibility of appeal procedures in the regulations. These are very accessible and open to everyone. The problem is widespread in Belgium and it is difficult for the policymakers to intervene with such a large-scale resistance.