Welcome to this digital magazine of Wind Farm Fryslân! Anyone driving along the Afsluitdijk can now see the work being carried out on the water. After years of preparation – since 2008 – ‘the first poles were driven into the ground’ of the IJsselmeer in the early hours of 7 September. This start to the work on the water is an extraordinary milestone for the project. And an ideal moment to introduce you to the dynamic world of this special project. Together with the Province of Fryslân and the contractors, we look back on the last year and look forward to the coming year.
Since the start of the project in 2008, I’ve been very aware of the impact of the wind farm on the Frisian IJsselmeer coast. During the development we have had many meetings with all parties involved, and have taken into account local residents, navigation routes, fishing, flying routes, the shooting area of the Ministry of Defence, the Wadden Sea, migratory birds, bats, water sports, tourism and, of course, the monumental Afsluitdijk. This has resulted in the location at Breezanddijk and the hexagonal form of the wind farm that ensures the wind turbines limits the disruption to the view on the horizon as much as possible.
“Now that we’ve made a start on the construction work on the IJsselmeer, every day the feeling grows that we will finish this wonderful project by the summer of 2021”
Anne de Groot – Project director
The construction in the IJsselmeer, a Natura 2000 area, brings along responsibilities that require a careful approach and execution. This has had our constant attention during both the development and execution of this project. Examples are the lighting of the park and the monitoring of nature. That is why we are constructing a new nature reserve at Kornwerderzand, sowing wild flower seeds along the verges of the A7 and are supporting the Dutch Forestry Commission with the management of the Kreupel bird island.
In addition, the substation on the Breezanddijk will not be your standard concrete building, but a beautiful structure with a unique architectural design, fitted with moving and reflecting facade panels. The substation will soon be open to the public. Inside, visitors will find information about the operation of the station and the wind farm.
“The substation will soon be open to the public. Inside, visitors will find information about the operation of the station and the wind farm.”
Anne de Groot – Project director
Looking back on the last year, a lot has happened. In March 2019 we have started executing the Wind Farm Fryslân. When the financing was done in October 2019, a cable from Breezanddijk to Bolsward was constructed, an substation will be built at Breezanddijk and a new working platform and nature reserve is located at Kornwerderzand. We have been doing this as much as possible with local suppliers and partners. In this way, the residents of Friesland can benefit from the construction of the wind farm, for example through the employment it offers. During last year’s Business Day, which attracted over a hundred participants, we were for example introduced to Amicon from the Frisian town of Winsum. Together with two other Frisian companies, as subcontractors, they now build the internal platforms for the wind turbines.
Now that we’ve made a start on the construction work on the IJsselmeer, every day the feeling grows that we will finish this wonderful project by the summer of 2021. The cables have now been laid on land, the island is almost ready and we expect to complete the construction of the substation early next year. In the coming months, we will install the foundation poles in the IJsselmeer and afterwards, early next year, start on the construction of the wind turbines.
But all this doesn’t happen without serious effort from everyone, and challenges such as Covid-19 have required a great deal of flexibility and creativity from all those involved in this project. I am therefore very proud to be working with specialists who never give up and constantly work together in finding solutions. Solutions that will ensure that we will be ready around the summer of next year. Then we’ll be ready to generate sustainable Frisian Energy for the coming 25 years.
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