Eneco announces largest solar farm integration under wind turbines in Brabant

Eneco is set to embark on an ambitious project by constructing its largest solar farm to date in the municipality of Woensdrecht, Brabant in the Netherlands. This innovative project, featuring approximately 88,000 solar panels, is projected to generate around 44,500 MWh of green electricity annually. Notably, the solar farm will be strategically located underneath the five wind turbines of the Kabeljauwbeek wind farm, also owned by Eneco, showcasing a unique integration of solar and wind energy production.

This pioneering initiative marks a significant step for Eneco, highlighting its commitment to optimizing land use and enhancing green power generation capabilities. By situating the solar farm beneath the wind turbines, Eneco aims to leverage the varying weather conditions in the Netherlands, where wind and sunlight often occur inversely. This symbiotic relationship between the two energy sources promises to maximize the utility of Dutch weather for renewable energy production.

Erwin Leeuwis, Eneco’s director of asset development and realization, emphasized the dual benefits of this approach, stating, “With the construction of a solar farm underneath a wind farm, we can make better use of the available space and the existing connection to the power grid.” This development not only mitigates grid congestion but also ensures a more consistent supply of green power.

The solar farm aligns with the energy-neutral ambitions of the Woensdrecht municipality. Alderman Thierry de Heer expressed optimism about the project’s contribution to local power generation and its role in achieving the Regional Energy Strategy (RES) goals. The project’s commencement in March and the anticipated installation of the first solar panels in June underscore the rapid progress towards these objectives.

The project’s design considers the visual impact, with plans to obscure the solar farm naturally using the landscape and additional vegetation on the northern and western sides. This approach not only minimizes visibility but also promotes biodiversity, offering a habitat for insects, farmland birds, and small mustelids.

The integration of solar farms with wind turbines represents a forward-thinking solution to renewable energy production, maximizing land use and grid connections. As this project unfolds, it sets a precedent for future renewable energy initiatives, blending environmental stewardship with technological innovation.