Solar park Hooibroeken
The Netherlands
Impact
Renewable energy
The capacity of Solar Park Hooibroeken is 32.8 MWp. It produces approximately 33,000 MWh per year, which is enough to power over 10,000 households.
Sustainable farming
The 24-hectare plot, formerly used for dairy farming, is now designated as a solar park and integrated into the Hooibroeken wetlands nature reserve. After 25 years, it can revert to sustainable farming.
Biodiversity
The water level in the project zone was raised to align with Hooibroeken, enhancing biodiversity and future ecological value. A small nature area was also created in the southeast corner, integrating with the Hooibroeken nature reserve.
Local community
Sunvest and Energiek Heusden each own 50% of the park. Residents eagerly bought all bond certificates, ensuring the local community benefits from the solar park’s revenues.
What the energy cooperative says
Energiek Heusden - Rinus Zebregts – secretary of EH:
‘A successful project requires a committed energy cooperative and two other parties: firstly, a landowner who right from the start is enthusiastic and committed enough to grant local residents ownership of the park that is being built on his land. And secondly, a project developer who is not afraid to stick his neck out and commit to 50% local ownership and to develop the site in conjunction with an energy cooperative that it sees (and treats) as an equal. This last-named partner we have now found, and Sunvest is its name.’
