Oct 21, 2008 | Amsterdam Nuon subsidiary WEOM develops one of the largest wind farms in the Netherlands for 63 farmers
Nuon subsidiary WEOM and 63 farmers, partners in the wind turbine consortium De Zuidlob, have entered into a cooperation agreement that aims to result in a wind farm of at least 108 MW. All the farmers in De Zuidlob, the southernmost part of the municipality of Zeewolde, are taking part in it. They have chosen WEOM as the developer of the wind farm. If it goes ahead, the wind farm will comprise three times 12 turbines of 3 to 4.5 MW each and it will be able to supply power to 75,000 households. This will make it one of the biggest wind farms in the Netherlands. The aim is to put the wind farm into service in 2012.
The signing ceremony took place on the site of the wind farm in the municipality of Zeewolde. The partnership with the land owners will ensure that there is a broad local support base for the wind farm, so it is expected that the project will be developed quickly. If the farm goes ahead, wind turbine consortium De Zuidlob will conclude a 10-year electricity contract with Nuon for the wind energy generated.
Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment Jacqueline Cramer is delighted about the development of the new wind farm. "Renewable generation of energy is essential in the battle against climate change," she said. "Wind energy plays an important role in this. The cabinet plans to double the generating capacity for wind energy and this project will contribute substantially towards that aim. The fact that 63 farmers have jointly taken the initiative to build this wind farm deserves every possible support."
The guiding principle for the installation of the wind farm is the ‘new policy’ that the Province of Flevoland has drawn up for wind energy. It says that if new turbines should replace older ones, that they should take a recognisable form with an equal distance between each of them and that the turbines should be of the same size, type and colour. Enhancing the open Flevoland landscape is an important precondition. The turbines will be placed in three lines, each of them parallel to the N301 as far as the Eemmeerdijk.
The application for the environmental permit will be lodged in the months ahead. The application for the building permit is expected to be submitted at the beginning of next year.
About wind turbine consortium De Zuidlob
The wind turbine consortium De Zuidlob was founded in 2007 by farmers in the Zuidlob, an area in the southernmost part of the municipality of Zeewolde, with regard to setting up a large-scale wind turbine project.
As early as 1998, several agricultural entrepreneurs in that area were in discussion with the municipality and the province about building wind turbines, but these initiatives came to nothing. In 2005 agreements were reached between the municipality, the province and the entrepreneurs, under the leadership of SenterNovem, to start a wind turbine pilot project in the Zuidlob. Nuon subsidiary WEOM has been taken on as the project developer for this project.
About Nuon
Nuon is an ambitious energy company, serving more than three million consumers and organisations with over 10,000 employees in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Nuon produces, transports and delivers electricity, gas, heating and cooling, and engages in energy trading in the major international markets. Nuon also supplies additional services and technological innovations to businesses and consumers. In doing so, Nuon aims to provide a reliable, sustainable and affordable energy supply.
With a turnover of EUR 5.7 billion in 2007, Nuon occupies a prominent position in the Dutch energy market. The shares are held by local and regional authorities.
Effective 1 July 2008, Nuon was split into a network company and a production and supply company. The two companies now operate independently under a financial holding company and a joint Management Board.
More information
Nuon Press Office
Telephone: +31 (0)20 597 42 00
E-mail: pressoffice@nuon.com