Local energy cooperatives join Noordzeker
Seven hundred Dutch energy cooperatives will have the opportunity to participate in a large-scale wind energy project on the North Sea for the first time. Onze NoorzeeStroom (ONS), an initiative by Energie Samen and Windunie representing 700 local Dutch energy cooperatives, joins as a partner in the Noordzeker coalition.
Noordzeker is an initiative in which SSE Renewables has joined forces with pension fund ABP and pension investor APG to develop a large wind farm in the Dutch part of the North Sea. The coalition aims to enable affordable and clean energy for the Netherlands, with the proceeds flowing back to Dutch pension participants. By also allowing local energy cooperatives to participate, everyone in the Netherlands can benefit from offshore wind.
"Local energy cooperatives are shaping their own energy future in several places in the Netherlands. Wind energy from the North Sea is an important additional source to meet local energy demand," says Siward Zomer, chairman of Energie Samen.
"The time has come for Dutch parties to be in control of our energy production. Energy should not only be sustainable but also benefit everyone. That is our shared vision. This partnership ensures that through energy cooperatives, Dutch citizens and companies will have direct access to an offshore wind farm, including the power from that farm," said Pascal Weijers, general director of Windunie.
“Energy should not only be sustainable but also benefit everyone.”
Pension administrator APG, on behalf of ABP, launched Noordzeker 18 months ago to participate in the tender for the IJmuiden Ver wind farm area. The coalition aims to accelerate the energy transition and bring financial and social returns to millions of participants. As a partner, SSE Renewables brings in the necessary technical and operational expertise. Noordzeker collaborates with the Naturalis Biodiversity Center to safeguard nature and biodiversity when generating wind energy.