Gallery: Westermeerwind nearshore construction

NETHERLANDS: Construction at the 144MW Westermeerwind nearshore project began in March, with over half the foundations installed and cabling underway to date.

by David Weston 8 May 2015

  • Construction of 144MW Westermeerwind project is ongoing in the Netherlands

    Construction of 144MW Westermeerwind project is ongoing in the Netherlands

  • The first foundation was installed on 17 March at the site in the Ijsselmeer artificial lake

    The first foundation was installed on 17 March at the site in the Ijsselmeer artificial lake

  • Siemens will supply 48 3MW turbines to the project

    Siemens will supply 48 3MW turbines to the project

  • Turbines will be positioned between 500 metres and 1200 metres from the dikes

    Turbines will be positioned between 500 metres and 1200 metres from the dikes

  • The project is due for completion in early 2016

    The project is due for completion in early 2016

  • More than half of the foundations have been installed and cable installation has begun

    More than half of the foundations have been installed and cable installation has begun

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Westermeerwind will use 48 Siemens 3MW turbines. The turbines will be positioned between 500 metres and 1200 metres from the dikes in water depths of only three to seven metres. 

It is the country's largest nearshore wind project. It is part of the Noordoostpolder project, which combines a further 38 Enercon 7.5MW turbines being installed onshore along the dike.

At the start of May, cable installation started at the site, and the first of the six cables connecting the near shore project to the substation was installed. Installation of the 44 kilometres of cabling will take around two months.

Dutch-utility Eneco has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with the project owners.