The Netherlands has been a pioneer in the creation of the first floating solar power plant in open waters, specifically in the North Sea. This innovative project has been developed by a consortium of six companies with financial support from the government. The facility is located 15 km from Scheveningen, the well-known coastal district of The Hague. The firm Oceans of Energy, together with the University of Utrecht, are in charge of the project.
What makes this floating plant special?
The key difference from typical land-based solar plants is that the photovoltaic panels on this floating platform generate up to 15% more energy than those installed on land. This is due to the ability of water to reflect a greater amount of sunlight towards the panels.
Furthermore, being located at sea, the panels benefit from cooler temperatures, which maximises their efficiency. Another factor contributing to these results is the absence of obstacles, such as buildings or vegetation, that could block exposure to sunlight.
The plant not only solves space problems on land, but also takes advantage of the environmental conditions of the sea to improve energy production.
The challenge of operating at sea
One of the main difficulties of this project is facing the adverse weather conditions of the North Sea, known for its intense waves and strong winds. Allard Van Hoeken, CEO of Oceans of Energy, explained that unlike the calm waters of reservoirs where floating solar installations already exist, this had not been attempted in open waters before because of the challenges it represents.
“This has never been attempted in open waters before due to the effects of wind and waves. With the know-how of our partners and Dutch experience in offshore platforms, we are confident that we will succeed.”
So far, the platforms have proven their ability to withstand storms and harsh sea conditions. The combination of offshore platform know-how, advanced photovoltaic technology and robust design have been key to the initial success of the project.
The success of this floating plant could open the door to the creation of more floating solar farms in other marine regions of the world, which could be a solution for those countries facing a shortage of land for solar energy projects.
Connection with offshore wind farms
Another innovative aspect of this project is its possible integration with the offshore wind farmsAccording to research by Utrecht University, floating solar plants could benefit from the calmer waters between wind farms, further improving the efficiency of solar panels.
In addition, solar and wind farms sharing the same offshore space offer a more balanced and constant energy production throughout the year. The wind is stronger in winter, while the sun is more abundant in summer, which generates a synergy in electricity production. This would allow for greater stability in the supply of renewable energy.
The impact on the energy future of the Netherlands
In the near future, this project could cover up to 75% of energy needs of the Netherlands, according to estimates by Utrecht University. This development is especially critical for the country, as it faces significant challenges due to declining natural gas extraction in the province of Groningen. Intensive gas exploitation in that region has caused earthquakes, forcing the government to reduce production to avoid further damage to infrastructure and the population. Gas currently covers approximately 40% of the country’s energy needs, so projects like this floating solar plant are essential to replace that energy source.
The Dutch Ministry for Environment and Infrastructure has officially recognised the importance of using water as a platform for new renewable energy projects. In 2017, support was announced for more floating solar power plant projects in the surface waters under its control, indicating that we will see more progress in this direction in the coming years.
This innovative floating solar plant projects a promising future in terms of the transition of the Netherlands towards a more sustainable and ecological energy matrix. With the combination of its solar and wind projects, the Netherlands is at the forefront of renewable energies globally.