Last month we started assembling the wind turbines in the IJsselmeer. This is an important moment towards which we have been working as a team for a long time. Together with contracting consortium Zuiderzeewind and the many Frisian parties that have collaborated in the construction, we look back in this edition at the last period and ahead to the summer.
Anne de Groot, Project Director at Windpark Fryslân: ‘For many years we have been making plans for how Wind Farm Fryslân will eventually look like. As we wanted to build the wind farm in the Frisian IJsselmeer, we had to carefully consider the form and location. And so we consulted and coordinated frequently with the various interested parties. For example, we chose a hexagonal arrangement of the wind turbines in order to keep the view of the horizon as unobstructed as possible. Now that the wind turbines are being assembled, it’s good to see how the design is becoming reality.
In everything we do, we take account of the environment as much as possible. We are, for example, obliged to place lights on the outer wind turbines for nearby aviation. As we appreciate that this can be a nuisance for those in the surrounding area, we are currently looking at the possibility of an aircraft raider. The lights would then only go on the moment an aircraft is detected. An application for a radar permit has been submitted.
The Omgevingsfonds (Surroundings Fund) of Wind Farm Fryslân will be set up this spring. The foundation has an executive, a supervisory board and an advisory board with local representatives, and It Fryske Gea and the Watersportverbond. We contribute €720,000 each year to this foundation. This amount comes from the revenue from the wind farm and goes towards local projects along the IJsselmeer coast in the south-west Frisian municipality.
“Now that the wind turbines are being assembled, it’s good to see how the design is becoming reality.”
Anne de Groot – Projectdirecteur
‘A huge amount of work had been carried out on the wind farm over the last six months. Cables were laid that carry the power generated by the wind turbines, via the transformer station at Breezanddijk, to the mainland. And all 89 foundation piles were driven approximately 30 metres into the bottom of the IJsselmeer. In addition to this, the various parts of the wind turbines were transported to the Netherlands. The platforms were stored at KTF in Harlingen, and the blades, towers and generator housing at the Alaskahaven in the port of Amsterdam.
During this work, we had to contend with some challenging weather conditions. There were strong winds, snow and the IJsselmeer was frozen for a week. And on top of this, there was the coronavirus which led to us having to adapt our working practices, in order to ensure the safety of our team. I am therefore very proud that the work has continued according to plan.
As soon as all the wind turbines have been connected, we will produce around 1.5 terawatt hours each year. This is approximately 1.2% of the Dutch electricity consumption and is equivalent to the consumption of approximately 500,000 households. Energy supplier Eneco will be buying the power from us for 15 years.
‘The final phase of the construction of Wind Farm Fryslân has been reached with the assembly of the wind turbines. The transformer station at Breezanddijk is almost ready and will open to the public this summer. In this very special building, visitors can learn more about the wind farm and wind energy.’
‘What’s more, the nature reserve island and reef at Kornwerderzand are already being used by birds and fish. In the next five years, Altenburg & Wymenga consultancy bureau and Waardeburg bureau will be monitoring the IJsselmeer to have a better understanding of the effects of the wind farm on birds and bats, and to see how nature develops on and around the island and wind farm. Before the start of the construction work, we carried out many studies into the wind farm’s effect on its natural surroundings. We believe it is important to investigate whether these studies match the reality.
The assembly of the first wind turbine was an important moment for all the parties involved. A moment when all the preparations of the last few years came together. In addition to contracting consortium Zuiderzeewind, many Frisian parties had contributed to this moment. They are an important link in this immense project. Now that the first wind turbine has been erected, I look forward confidently to the future. And I am very proud that after all these years, this wind farm will become reality in just a few months!
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