When King Willem-Alexander will inaugurate webstore Wehkamps brand new distribution centre on the 23rd of September, he will do so beneath the largest solar park of the country.
No less than 9828 solar panels generate 2500 MWH of electricity, an output comparable to the consumption of 745 families. The installation is foreseen to provide 40% of the power consumption of the distribution center. The Belgian contractor WDP, together withWehkamp , created the worlds largest automated e-commerce center with a strong focus on sustainability.
It is no coincidence that a solar park of this size was installed by a Belgian company. A future-oriented subsidy policy created over the past years an oversized solar power sector, that could gain expertise in both residential installations and large-scale solar parks. Flanders-based IZEN, already a poineer in renewable energy since 1987, now uses its knowhow as Belgiums largest installer of solar panels, abroad, installing solar panels from the U.K. to Chile.
Building a park of this size in about 8 weeks time, as was requested bycontractor WDP, was no walk in the park, Servaas Van Den Noortgate, IZEN Internationals managing director explains.
Even though the solar power market in the Netherlands promises to grow exponentially, Dutch companies dont have the necessary expertise yet for building large-scale solar parks. Up until now, mainly residential installations were built. But todays prices are so attractive that the Dutch policy concerning the Stimulation of Sustainable Energy Production (SDE), will really be invigorated in the coming year. As well for companies in need for large installations. It will create a very interesting market, as solar power in the Netherlands, is still on the verge of its peak years.
