Egmond aan Zee Offshore Wind Farm
The first Dutch offshore wind farm is located between 10 and 18 kilometres off the coast at Egmond aan Zee. Under good weather conditions, you can see the turbines from the beach.
Green power for more than 100,000 homes per year
Since the end of 2006, Offshore Wind Farm Egmond aan Zee has been providing green power for more than 100,000 homes per year. The 36 turbines have a combined capacity of 108 Megawatt. This prevents about 140,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year. In addition to the wind farm itself, the project includes the infrastructure connecting it to the transformer station in IJmuiden port. The total investment amounted to more than 200 million euros.
Joint venture between Shell and Nuon
The Egmond aan Zee Offshore Wind Farm was constructed by Nuon and Shell on the initiative of the Dutch government. The Egmond aan Zee Offshore Wind Farm is a project of the NoordzeeWind joint venture between Shell and Nuon. Bouwcombinatie Egmond - a partnership between construction company Ballast Nedam and wind turbine manufacturers Vestas – carried out the actual construction of the Wind Farm. The project is in line with Shell and Nuon strategy concerning sustainability and innovation.
Gathering knowledge of offshore wind power
An extensive research programme is associated with the project, in order to increase knowledge of offshore wind power. The natural and environmental impact is being monitored, as well as technical aspects such as the functioning of the turbines and the incorporation of wind power in the electricity grid. This helps to gather knowledge for further development of offshore wind power.
Why Nuon invests in offshore wind power
The construction of the wind farm is consistent with Nuon’s policy of increasing the share of renewable sources in power generation in the Netherlands. The wind farm offers Dutch customers a new opportunity to buy renewable energy generated in the Netherlands.