Nov 20, 2008 | Amsterdam Province of Gelderland and Nuon work together for more green power
"The generation of green energy has to move forward." Those were the words of the Annelies van der Kolk of the Gelderland Provincial Executive at the opening today of the Echteld wind farm. Gelderland decided earlier to raise the provincial target for wind energy to 100 MW in 2011.
Nuon, builder and owner of the Echteld wind farm, wants to have at least half of that, according to Nuon director Doede Vierstra.
"We have to use alternative energy sources to the full, both onshore and offshore." In her address Annelies van der Kolk underlined that the national, provincial and municipal authorities each have to shoulder the responsibility for this. "It is important that the authorities themselves create no barriers to the realisation of wind farms," she said.
Wind energy is a priority issue for Nuon. "We are going to develop a lot of extra capacity in the coming years, both onshore and offshore," said Doede Vierstra. "If we want to achieve the climate targets, we have to take dynamic action, so closer collaboration with the authorities, just like now with the province of Gelderland, is essential."
The wind farm in Echteld comprises four turbines of 2 MW each and can supply electricity to around 5,700 households. Nuon is developing wind farms in various other locations in Gelderland, including Duiven and Buren.
About the province of Gelderland
The province of Gelderland set out its ambitions in the domains of environment and climate in the Climate Programme for Gelderland 2008-2011 ‘Aanpakken en Aanpassen’. The main objectives are tackling energy management and reducing CO2 emissions, with a climate-neutral energy balance in 2050 as the ultimate goal.
"The climate is changing and fossil fuels are becoming exhausted, so we have to develop and use more renewable energy," says Annelies van der Kolk of the Gelderland Executive. "In addition we have to adapt ourselves to the inevitable changes that are taking place in our society and in our life. Wind energy is a renewable form of energy. That’s why the province of Gelderland wants 100 megawatts of wind energy to be produced in 2011. That means approximately 50 wind turbines." The province plans to realise this with partners from the world of industry and with the municipalities of Gelderland.
About Nuon
Nuon is an ambitious energy company, serving more than three million consumers and organisations with over 10,000 employees in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Nuon produces, transports and delivers electricity, gas, heating and cooling, and engages in energy trading in the major international markets. Nuon also supplies additional services and technological innovations to businesses and consumers. In doing so, Nuon aims to provide a reliable, sustainable and affordable energy supply.
With a turnover of EUR 5.7 billion in 2007, Nuon occupies a prominent position in the Dutch energy market. The shares are held by local and regional authorities.
Effective 1 July 2008, Nuon was split into a network company and a production and supply company. The two companies now operate independently under a financial holding company and a joint Management Board and Supervisory Board.
More information
Nuon Press Office
Telephone: +31 (0)20 597 42 00
E-mail: pressoffice@nuon.com
A photo will be published on www.perssupport.nl.