Wind energy for the Geestmerambacht rwzi
To make the sewage treatment process more sustainable, the high water board wants to install one or two wind turbines at the Geestmerambacht sewage treatment plant (rwzi). The wind energy generated will enable the rwzi to meet its own electricity needs.
Another project at rwzi Geestmerambacht is the construction of a digester for sewage sludge with green gas production. This will turn rwzi Geestmerambacht into a so-called energy and raw materials plant, producing electricity and green gas, among other things.
What will happen?
As a social partner in the regional energy strategy (RES), the Water Board is cooperating in the goal of generating more renewable energy in the province of North Holland. Because of its location, Rwzi Geestmerambacht is suitable for generating wind energy. In addition, the treatment plant is a large electricity consumer, so the wind energy can also largely be used directly. The plan is to generate about 8 million kWh with one or two wind turbines.
Where does the project take place?
As a location for the wind turbine(s), both the treatment plant site itself and a sub-area of the Geestmerambacht Recreation Board south of it are being considered.
Project planning
We will investigate what type of turbine is suitable, what the most optimal location is and what effects this will have on the surrounding area. Starting a participation process with local residents is also part of the project.
Right now there is no exact schedule for the project. For construction we also depend on the situation on the power grid. For example, at the moment there is grid congestion, this makes it impossible to feed energy back into the grid.
Who do we work with?
We are working together with various parties, for example, Dijk en Waard municipality, Schagen municipality, North Holland province and Noordzeekanaalgebied environmental service. In the current phase of the project, we would also like to keep local residents and stakeholders in the area surrounding the treatment plant informed of the state of affairs.
Want to know more?
For more information about this project, please contact Mr. M. Hellema, environmental manager for the wind energy component at rwzi Geestmerambacht, via our contact form or via the general telephone number of the Water Board: 072 - 582 8282.
Background
Climate and Energy Program (KEP).
In 2017, HHNK set itself the goal of becoming energy-neutral and emitting no moreCO2. In doing so, the Water Board wants to contribute to the Paris climate goals of 2015, where it was agreed to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. To generate as much energy as we consume, efforts are being made to install solar panels, realize wind energy and produce biogas through sludge fermentation. We are also making efforts to reduce energy consumption.
Regional Energy Strategy (RES).
Through the national program of the Regional Energy Strategy, the national government wants to realize an energy transition and become less dependent on natural gas. To this end, the Netherlands has been divided into 30 energy regions that must collectively generate 35 TWh of sustainable energy on land. As co-government, HHNK participates in the RES process, in the regions North Holland North (NHN) and North Holland South (NHZ). On the one hand by carrying out projects with sustainable generation itself, on the other hand by making land available for the energy transition.