German utility Innogy and Netherlands-based water group Noorderzijlvest have signed an agreement to push for the development of wind turbines on the Dutch seawall.
The deal is an “important step” towards realising three wind turbines on the Oostpolder seawall at Eemshaven, in the north of the Netherlands, said the project partners.
“The signing of the land treaty is of regional importance for the transition to renewable energy. The realisation will mean the world’s first wind turbines on a sea dike, and a next step in innovation of the water and wind industry,” said Innogy.
According to Eisse Luitjens, a member of the Noorderzijlvest water board, the companies have been working since 2011 to develop a safe way to place turbines on a sea dike.
"We put our neck on the line to cooperatively investigate the possibilities of the extraordinary project for the first wind turbines on the seaside with Innogy,” said Luitjens. “At that time it was completely unimaginable that wind turbines were put on the dike, because of a lack of necessary knowledge and experience to make a safe design."
Since kicking off their research, Noorderzijlvest has provided the Oostpolder sea dike for study, as its design protects against floods.
“With the specific features of this dike, Innogy investigated under what conditions a wind turbine can be built on the [dike],” said the company.
The concept was then submitted for a feasibility test at the Expertise Network Watersafety (ENW), which concluded that it is possible to place wind turbines in a safe manner at this location.
Following the ENW advice, Noorderzijlvest gave Innogy a green light to further investigate the the project. The wind turbines are expected to be built and operating in 2019.
"Sea dikes are attractive locations, due to the good and strong wind conditions. It's almost always blowing. We are proud of our cooperation with Noorderzijlvest,” said Jan Boorsma, director of Innogy wind in the Netherlands.
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