Construction of 12 MW solar park in Emmen begins
The start of construction on a solar park is one of the first visible developments on site of the former natural gas purification plant (GZI) in Emmen. A total of 28.500 solar panels with a total capacity of 12 megawatts will be installed. The build is expected to be completed by the end of 2020 and, when operational will be able to generate electricity equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 4.000 Dutch households.
GZI next
Energy companies, government agencies, and knowledge institutions are working together in Emmen on the energy mix of the future. Recently, the area of the former NAM gas purification plant has been prepared to transform the site into a true energy hub. GZI NextThis hub consists of a mix of energy sources from hydrogen, green gas, and the solar park on the GZI site. The site has played a major role in the region's energy supply in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
Part of Hydrogen Valley
The municipality of Emmen fully supports the plan to develop the area. Not only from an idealistic sustainability perspective, but also because it offers opportunities.We see green hydrogen as an energy carrier for the future," says Alderman Rink. It is not without reason that the municipality is part of HEAVENN., a European project that stimulates the development of green hydrogen. GZI Next also ensures that knowledge and employment are retained in the region.
The great thing about GZI Next is that we can use existing infrastructure – underground pipelines – present on site and available for green gas and hydrogen.
- Ruud Paap, project manager and Green gas expert from New Energy Coalition
Collaboration
In addition to solar energy, the energy hub in Emmen will supply green gas and energy from hydrogen. The GZI Next site connects a variety of parties. Besides New Energy Coalition, Gasunie, Province of Drenthe, EBN, GETEC(formerly Emmtec) and NAMinvolved in the energy hub.
About GZI Next
The GZI Next project in Emmen is transforming a fossil gas purification site into a sustainable energy hub, focusing on solar energy (SES PV Park), green hydrogen (EMMHY), and green gas production (Northstar). The GZI Next project is also connected to local industry (Getec) via a hydrogen network and has initiated the development of a green gas collection network between Emmen and Ommen.
