44MW solar park begins production in the Netherlands
Budel-Dorplein, Monday 3rd December 2018: A solar park the size of 120 football fields has begun producing clean electricity for the national grid in the Netherlands.
44 MW Budel Solar Park, one of the largest in the country, was built over five months near the city of Eindhoven and is a joint initiative of the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, the commune of Cranendonck and the British solar power company Solarcentury. The park has been built on land previously used by the Nyrstar zinc smelter at Budel. The park is co-owned by the German based Encavis AG and by Solarcentury.
The park was switched on as global climate change talks get underway at COP24 in Poland (2nd– 14th December), where world leaders including governments, cities, states, regions, businesses and investors are being encouraged to step up their climate action and switch to renewable energy to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius warming in line with the Paris Agreement.
Budel Solar Park, in the industrial area of Cranendonck, will provide enough clean power for 12,500 homes and save up to 600,000 tonnes of C02 over the next 25 years.
Frans Van Den Heuvel, CEO, Solarcentury said: “The Netherlands currently produces less than 2% of its electricity from solar but this is only set to rise in the very near future. Having deployed 1GW of solar globally, we’re looking forward to further accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The Dutch people want to see clean power and climate action, we are here to work with governments, business, landlords, developers and other stakeholders who also know it makes economic sense to switch to solar now.”
The project is owned by the German based Encavis AG, one of the leading European independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the renewable sector and by Solarcentury holding a minority share. Project finance for the Budel Solar Park has been provided by Dutch financiers Rabobank. Encavis AG and Solarcentury have formed a strategic partnership in 2017 and Encavis only recently announced their acquisition of 80% of Solarcentury’s 300 MW solar park Talayuela in Spain, one of Europe’s largest solar projects.
Dierk Paskert, CEO of Encavis AG said: “Budel Solar Park is an important development for both the Netherlands and our our growth strategy. Completion of the project on schedule is another impressive proof of our successful partnership with Solarcentury and the good cooperation with all parties involved. As such, we’re delighted to continue our strategic partnership with Solarcentury and realise further projects very soon.”
Guido Janssen, Vice President of Nyrstar’s European operations said: “We are proud to be able to contribute to the story of the growth of renewable energy in the Netherlands. As a zinc producer we are of course a major electricity consumer and as part of our strategy we do all we can to make the greatest possible contribution to energy efficiency and sustainability. This new park shows our wider commitment to solar power and the transition to a clean energy future.”
Marc Schmitz, Managing Director of Project Finance, Rabobank added: “This initiative came to life when the Province Noord-Brabant gave a second life to an ex-landfill site. This project will significantly contribute to the preservation of the region.”
The solar park is situated next to Metalot, an innovative new industry area in Cranendonck, still to be developed, which focuses on the circular use of metals and energy.
Clean solar electricity is being generated by 154,000 solar panels installed on over half a square km, or 65 hectares, of an old landfill site. Over 4,000 panels were installed each day for six weeks to build the park.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
- C02 savings over 25 years of 600,000 tonnes based on: 44,000 kWp size, 910 kWh solar electricity generated per kWp; 0.525kg of C02 per kWh from national grid electricity mix in the Netherlands, over a 25 year project lifetime.
- Power for 12,500 homes based on average annual household energy consumption of 3,500 kWh/yr.
About Nyrstar
Nyrstar is a global multi-metals business, with a market leading position in zinc and lead, and growing positions in other base and precious metals, which are essential resources that are fuelling the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of our changing world. Nyrstar has mining, smelting and other operations located in Europe, the Americas and Australia and employs approximately 4,100 people. Nyrstar is incorporated in Belgium and has its corporate office in Switzerland. Nyrstar is listed on Euronext Brussels under the symbol NYR. For further information please visit the Nyrstar website: www.nyrstar.com
About Encavis AG
Encavis AG is one of the leading independent power producers (IPPs) in the field of renewable energy in Europe. The company acquires and operates solar power plants and (onshore) wind farms in Germany and in nine other European countries. The total generation capacity of the Encavis Group is currently almost 2 gigawatts (GW). With its wind farms and solar parks, the company generates attractive financial returns, as well as very stable income irrespective of economic conditions. Encavis AG also provides institutional investors with the benefit of its many years of experience and market knowledge in the field of renewable energies. Within the Encavis Group, Encavis Asset Management AG specialises in the field of institutional investors. Encavis Technical Services GmbH is also the Encavis Group’s service unit for the technical management of solar parks. Encavis AG is listed on the regulated market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the regulated market of the Hamburg Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE0006095003 / WKN: 609500) and the SDAX of the German Stock Exchange. www.encavis.com
About Solarcentury
Solarcentury is one of the most respected solar companies in the world. Founded in 1998, it has been around since the early days of the industry and has been part of the evolution that has made solar electricity the mainstream energy source that it is today. The company has put solar on a greater variety of sites than any other company in the industry, and won multiple awards for leadership and innovation. To date, Solarcentury has developed and built more than 1 GWp and has a pipeline of 2.4 GWp. The company works end-to-end: developing, structuring finance, building and operating solar projects at commercial and utility scale. It works with partners to bring solar to their customers’ homes. Solarcentury is committed to making solar more accessible and attractive. The company is in business for a purpose: to make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change through the widespread adoption of solar power. As a big believer that solar can help change our world for the better, the company contributes 5% of its annual net profits to SolarAid; the charity it founded which aims to eradicate kerosene lamps from Africa. Solarcentury is global and growing, with European offices in the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France, and Germany; Latin American offices in Panama, Mexico and Chile; and an African office in Kenya. develop.solarcentury-refresh.greenlightdigital.com
