The World’s First Offshore Solar Farm Integrated Within a Wind Farm Completes Assembly
Recently, Dutch company Oceans of Energy completed the assembly of what is being hailed as the “world’s first” offshore solar farm integrated within a wind farm. The floating solar farm, named “Nymphaea Aurora,” was assembled in just three days at the Port of Amsterdam and is now ready for deployment at the Hollandse Kust Noord (HKN) offshore wind farm in the North Sea.
The project utilizes prefabricated floating solar units designed specifically for offshore conditions, marking a significant milestone in the development of hybrid wind-solar projects. The solar farm will be towed 18.5 kilometers offshore this summer to be installed at the HKN site, operated by CrossWind, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco.
Innovating Renewable Energy
The integration of offshore solar within the wind farm is seen as a key innovation that could enhance renewable energy production. Maria Kalogera, Innovations Manager at CrossWind, emphasized the potential of this project in advancing offshore wind developments.
“The offshore solar scope is an exciting innovation that can contribute to more renewable energy production from the same site.”
The unique design of the “Nymphaea Aurora” allows for large-scale deployment with minimal material usage, resembling the efficiency of water lilies in nature. Allard van Hoeken, Founder & CEO of Oceans of Energy, explained the inspiration behind the name and design of the solar farm.
Supporting Sustainable Growth
The Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth is closely monitoring the project to evaluate the potential benefits of combining offshore solar with wind to reduce emissions and support industrial development in the Netherlands. Rogier van Tooren from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the country’s leadership in offshore solar energy and its commitment to international cooperation.
Dorine Bosman, Chief Investment Officer at the Port of Amsterdam, underscored the port’s role in fostering new energy technologies and accelerating the energy transition. The collaboration between industry players and government agencies is crucial in driving sustainable growth and innovation in the renewable energy sector.
Driving Clean Energy Generation
The Hollandse Kust Noord project, where the offshore solar farm will be deployed, is a 759 MW offshore wind park that aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance the flexibility of offshore wind farms. Once operational, the wind farm is projected to generate over 3.3 TWh of clean energy annually, contributing significantly to the country’s renewable energy goals.
Oceans of Energy’s contract to install and operate the offshore solar farm within the HKN wind park demonstrates the growing interest in innovative renewable energy solutions. With the successful completion of key milestones, including the testing of subsea export cables and offshore anchoring works, the project is poised to showcase the viability of offshore solar technology on a commercial scale.