Prowind has reached financial close for the 3 wind turbines in Koningspleij Wind Farm near Arnhem. This gives the green light for the construction of the turbines. The wind farm is expected to be ready by the end of 2021. The electricity will be supplied to 18 municipalities in the Arnhem region.
Koningspleij Wind Farm consists of a total of 4 wind turbines in a linear arrangement along the Pleij route (N325 motorway). The turbines are supplied by the German turbine manufacturer Enercon. The turbines are of the type E-115 EP3 with a hub height of 120 meters, a rotor diameter of 115 meters and a tip height of 177.5 meters. This brings the total capacity to approximately 17 MW. In April 2020, the wind farm received the green light from the Council of State. The wind farm was also awarded the SDE + subsidy on 19 December 2017. This has since been extended.
The initiators of 3 of the 4 wind turbines in the project are Rijn en IJssel Energiecoöperatie and Prowind BV. These 3 turbines are a citizens’ initiative. Residents of Arnhem and the surrounding area were given the opportunity to become co-owners of the three turbines and thus benefit from the yield of the park. This was done through an issue of wind shares with a total amount of up to € 2.86 million. The issue of shares (at EUR 250 each) closed on 11 November. The electricity generated goes to 18 municipalities in the Arnhem region.
The fourth wind turbine is being developed by Pure Energie and will generate power for the Kleefse Waard Industrial Park (IPKW). The 4 turbines together are expected to generate 34 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is comparable to the combined energy consumption of more than 11,000 households.
Financial close
Financial Close for the 3 wind turbines had already been reached at the end of September, but the company announced this yesterday after the issuance of the shares had closed. The Deutsche Anlagen-Leasing GmbH & Co. KG (DAL) is providing the necessary loan of EUR 18.65 million for the project. This is the first wind project for DAL in the Netherlands.
The financing was partly realised with the support of Biesheuvel Jansen advocaten (attorneys-at-law). For Prowind, this is the first financial close for a wind farm in the Netherlands.
Construction planning
Preparations for the construction of the wind farm are currently underway. Construction is scheduled to start in Q1 2021 and is estimated to be completed by the end of 2021. The electricity produced will be purchased by Greenchoice-De Groene Stroomfabriek. At the conclusion of the electricity purchase agreement, the initiators were supported by Source4Energy. When the park is realised Outsmart B.V. takes care of the operational management and the installation responsibility.
