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First Dutch offshore wind farm a step closer

15 December 2004

Econcern and Energy Investments Holding (EIH) have reached an agreement with E-Connection to take over all permits and other rights of the Offshore Princess Amalia Wind Farm-WP. By adapting the existing project structure and cooperation with various financial and energy companies the construction of the wind farm has been brought a step closer. The construction work is expected start early 2005, after which the first power will be fed into the grid in 2006.

First Dutch offshore wind farm

Princess Amalia Wind Farm-WP is an initiative of project developer E-Connection, who obtained the permits and exemptions to construct and exploit the wind farm. When the permits and other rights are transferred to Econcern and EIH the construction of the first Dutch offshore wind farm can commence. The concession of the wind farm lies in block Princess Amalia Wind Farm of the Dutch Continental Shelf, situated over 23 kilometres offshore from IJmuiden. The 120 MW wind farm will supply about 435 GWh of electricity on a yearly basis, enough to provide power to 125.000 households.

Environmental benefits, cost reductions, knowledge and employment

The wind farm will contribute significantly to further cost price reductions and knowledge development in the field of offshore wind energy. E-Connection, for example, will stay involved in Princess Amalia Wind Farm-WP through the development of sustainable aquaculture, in which they will investigate whether offshore wind farms provide a good environment to cultivate seed mussels.
Construction and maintenance of the wind farm will also raise employment in the sector. When the wind park will be up and running it will realise emissions savings of 240.000 tonnes CO2 per year.

European investment fund

Wind farm Princess Amalia Wind Farm-WP will be an important project in further developing the offshore wind industry in Europe. Econcern and EIH are in discussions with several parties concerning the establishment of a European investment fund for the development of large-scale wind and bio energy projects in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK.