Final agreement on realization of the largest solar energy park in the Netherlands
Groningen Sea Ports, Sunport Energy, and WIRSOL have announced the forthcoming realization of SunPort Delfzijl, the largest solar energy park in the Netherlands.
Hans Hoven, director of Sunport Delfzijl, the company that developed this solar park, and Harm Post, director of Groningen Sea Ports, have already signed the land use agreement for the construction and exploitation of the project.
At the same time, Sunport signed an agreement whereby WIRSOL purchases the project, with Groningen Sea Ports as partner, WIRSOL will finance, construct, and manage the project. WIRSOL will start the construction works in the spring of 2016 and aims to have the project connected to the grid and supplying its first solar power before the end of the year.
About 123,000 solar panels will be placed on 30 hectares (about 65 soccer fields) in the southwest corner of the Delfzijl harbour area of Groningen Sea Ports. This approximately 30 MW solar park provides power for industries in the Eemsdelta region and makes an important contribution to the increase in renewable energy production in the industrial area.
The project will be built with an innovative east-west orientation of the solar panels, which in this case allows for a more efficient use of the plot and a better production profile over the course of the day.
Green Giraffe has been involved as financial advisor during the development phase. They actively supported the participants during the final phase of project development and contract negotiations, including the bid for the SDE+ tariff. Ecofys was involved in the project as technical advisor.
Harm Post, CEO at Groningen Sea Ports, commented:
“For Groningen Seaports this development is a breakthrough in renewable energy projects especially in view of so-called Green Deal, which means by the Government established targets. This investment confirms the position of Groningen Sea Ports in the provision of renewable energy for current and potential customers who want to use green electricity.”
Hans Hoven, Sunport director, said :
“We are proud to have developed the first large scale solar park on an industrial area in The Netherlands. After we have concluded the development phase, we have chosen WIRSOL to take over the initiative from Sunport Energy and we look forward to the successful conclusion of the project and a further cooperation with this experienced partner for other projects in the Netherlands.”
Peter Vest, Managing Director of WIRSOL, stated:
“Sunport Delzijl for WIRSOL is an important step to becoming an important player in the growing Netherlands renewable energy market. We are happy to enter into a long term and successful partnership with Groningen Sea Ports and Sunport Energy, both in the construction and the operation of the biggest solar project in the market so far.”
