Swedish utility Vattenfall AB and Dutch SwifterwinT have celebrated a significant milestone with the generation of the first power from their 132-MW wind farm, situated in the expansive IJselmeer lake. This wind farm project is a commendable effort to replace a nearshore wind park that was decommissioned last year.
The project, featuring a total of 13 turbines, five of which are now fully operational, is a testament to the commitment of Vattenfall and SwifterwinT towards renewable energy. The two companies, in a joint statement, announced that testing of the remaining machines will continue, gradually bringing them to their full capacity. The electricity generated by these turbines will be seamlessly integrated into the grid, marking a significant step towards a greener energy future.
The IJselmeer park, powered by 24 turbines arranged in two rows, stands as a replacement for the Irene Vorrink nearshore wind farm, which served for an impressive 25 years before being dismantled in March 2022. This new wind park is an integral part of the larger Windplanblauw complex, which combines lake- and land-based turbines. The land-based portion of this complex is already operational, and the entire 61-turbine complex is expected to be fully operational by 2024.
The wind farm at IJselmeer commenced its journey with the erection of the first turbine in May last year. Once completed, the wind farm, equipped with 5.5-MW General Electric Cypress turbines, is anticipated to generate electricity to power over 130,000 homes annually.
Matthew May, the project leader at Vattenfall, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I look forward to completing the remaining turbines as quickly as possible.” This achievement underlines the dedication to sustainable energy solutions and contributes to a cleaner, more environmentally conscious energy landscape in the Netherlands.
