Construction solar farm Bellingwolde to start at end of March

Novar has reached financial completion (Financial Close) for solar farm Bellingwolde, completing the financing and allowing construction to start at the end of March 2025. The total investment amounts to €40 million. With a capacity of 74 MWp, this solar park will generate a large amount of solar energy - according to Novar "the most affordable form of renewable energy. This provides a stable and inexpensive power supply for Dutch small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), making it easier for companies to become more sustainable and accelerating electrification."

The project covers 57.5 hectares in the municipality of Westerwolde and is designed with attention to energy generation, landscape integration and biodiversity. The project was developed jointly with Mr. Kor Werkman, landowner and co-initiator of the project.

In the first five years, the electricity produced will be purchased by Essent. In addition, in addition to a financial contribution, 1 MWp of installed capacity will be made available to energy cooperative Lethe Stroomt. The revenues from this power will be used for local initiatives. Thus, the region benefits directly from the generation of sustainable energy.

Gerben Smit, CEO of Novar and project director of Zonnepark Bellingwolde: "Zonnepark Bellingwolde makes affordable, renewable energy accessible to businesses and contributes directly to national climate goals. Annually, the project saves more than 30,000 tons of CO₂. We combine large-scale solar energy generation with care for nature and the environment, so that renewable energy is not only economically profitable, but also ecologically responsible. Thanks to the commitment of our partners, we can realize these ambitions."

Landscaping and consideration of ecology

Solar park Bellingwolde was designed with great attention to the environment and biodiversity. Together with a sounding board group, the municipality of Westerwolde and the province of Groningen, the final design was created. Specific measures were taken to preserve the landscape and strengthen nature:

t
• 10 acres for landscaping - The area will be landscaped with native and evergreen shrubs. In order for the solar park to blend into the landscape without losing its openness.

t

• Preserve the ditch pattern - The characteristic water structures remain. Thus, the landscape identity remains secured.

t

• Nature-friendly landscaping - Vegetation will be installed on the roofs and walls of transformer stations and containers located at the park.

t

• Animal-friendly fencing - A specially designed fence prevents deer from getting trapped and allows small mammals to move underneath.

Solar park Bellingwolde is also part of a multi-year ecological study with the University of Groningen (RUG) on the impact of solar parks on nature. The results provide more insight into optimizing the balance between sustainable energy generation and biodiversity.

Collaboration and infrastructure

Kor Werkman: "As landowner and initiator, I felt it was important that this project not only generate sustainable energy, but also fit well in the environment and make a financial contribution to the community of the village of Bellingwolde. Through cooperation and careful coordination, a solar park was created that can count on local support.

For the grid connection, a 12.4 km cable route will be constructed in cooperation with WATT Infra. The project assumes the cost of this infrastructure and eventually transfers the cable to regional grid operator Enexis. The construction of the solar park will be carried out by GOLDBECK Netherlands. The Municipality of Westerwolde and the Province of Groningen have been heavily involved in the development process. Rabobank is financing the project.