en.Wedoany.com Reported - Located in the Noordoostpolder region of the Netherlands, the Westermeerdijk Solar Park stretches approximately 6.4 kilometers with an installed capacity of 148 MWp, making it one of the largest solar power stations in the country. Situated directly behind the dike and beneath existing wind turbines, with its own independent grid connection, the project is regarded as a model for future energy landscapes. The project is equally owned by Novar and Westermeerweg Zon Holding, the latter formed by ten local agricultural entrepreneurs.
The construction of the power station emphasized close collaboration with local landowners and tenants, involving a total of 15 different landowners and their heirs, including agricultural entrepreneurs with plots near Westermeerdijk. Additionally, 44% of the land is owned by the Dutch Central Government Real Estate Agency (Rijksvastgoedbedrijf).
For these lands, the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) jointly developed a soil light assessment method to support vegetation development and soil quality maintenance. This method evaluates whether the amount of daylight reaching the soil beneath and between the solar panels is sufficient. Based on the assessment results, semi-transparent solar panels were selected for the project, allowing some sunlight to penetrate to the ground. This design makes the Westermeerdijk power station unique, demonstrating how renewable energy generation and careful land use can coexist.
François Bonajo, Project and Program Manager for the Renewable Energy Projects section of the Regional and Property Development Department at the Central Government Real Estate Agency, stated that the Westermeerdijk Solar Park proves that renewable energy generation can be combined with the careful use of public land. He noted that the project's focus on soil light and knowledge development not only achieves sustainable energy production but also provides valuable insights for future land use.
The local government, the Municipality of Noordoostpolder and the Province of Flevoland, played a significant role in realizing the project. Through collaboration among landowners, tenants, public authorities, project partners, and knowledge institutions, the project integrates renewable energy generation, careful land use, and knowledge development.
Jelmer Pijlman, Director and Co-founder of Novar, pointed out that with the Westermeerdijk Solar Park, the company has taken an important step in developing future energy landscapes. The project combines large-scale renewable energy generation with local ownership, responsible soil use, and an innovative grid connection—a combination that constitutes the power station's uniqueness. Pijlman stated that the team is not just building a solar park but constructing an energy system for the future.
Wim van der Linde, Co-Director of Westermeerweg Zon, added that the project is particularly special for local lessees and tenants, as they not only provided the land but also co-initiated the action. Through close cooperation among themselves, with authorities, and with Novar, the project was developed step by step, maintaining local ownership in the region and jointly building an energy landscape adapted to Noordoostpolder.
The Westermeerdijk Solar Park is part of the broader energy landscape of Noordoostpolder. The region combines renewable generation from wind and solar with new infrastructure for electricity transport and storage, optimizing the use of available space and existing energy infrastructure. For example, the power station shares access roads with the NOP Agrowind and RWE wind farms, reducing the need for additional roads and utilizing space more efficiently.
A key component of the project is the connection to the new substation Netaansluiting Noordwest Zon (NNWZ). This private grid connection, developed by Novar, Westermeerweg Zon, and HVC, enables the feed-in of large-scale solar power into the grid. At a time when grid congestion increasingly hinders renewable energy projects, this connection is crucial for project delivery.
Furthermore, Novar and Westermeerweg Zon Holding are exploring opportunities with the municipality to build battery storage in the area. In the long term, batteries can more effectively utilize generated solar power by temporarily storing electricity and releasing it when demand is higher, further optimizing the energy system around Westermeerdijk.
A unique element of the Westermeerdijk Solar Park is the test field established by TNO and WUR. This test field studies the impact of solar fields on crop growth, soil health, and biodiversity. Research includes variations in panel height, tilt angle, and row spacing, as well as tracking and vertical systems using different solar panel technologies. These research insights help develop solar parks that not only generate renewable energy but are also more adapted to the needs of crops, soil, water, and nature.
Kay Cesar, Chair of TNO's "Zon in Landschap" and Project Leader for Sustainable Solar Parks, summarized that Westermeerdijk provides TNO with a valuable living lab, bringing together R&D and innovation in a real-world setting to develop new insights. By working with partners to study how to design solar parks more intelligently, with attention to crops, soil, water, and biodiversity, the insights gained here are significant for the future development of solar parks in the Netherlands.
The Westermeerdijk Solar Park was developed, financed, and realized by Novar with multiple partners. Project financing was arranged in collaboration with ING, with financial support from Rebel. Technical, insurance, and legal due diligence were conducted by 3E, VHIVA, and Stek, respectively, with Stek also advising ING on financing documents. Mobius served as legal counsel for the project, BELECTRIC constructed the solar park, HANAB Distribution delivered the cable routes and substation, and TRIP Advocaten Notarissen was involved in legal and notarial processes. The joint private grid connection Noordwest Zon was developed by Novar in cooperation with Westermeerweg Zon and HVC.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
