The three year old wind plant, first owned by local electricity company, NV Energiebedrijf of Haarlem, has so far been beset by problems throughout its short lifetime. As well as technical troubles, the original Bouma turbines were just not suitable for the site, says NedWind. In December 1992, NV Energiebedrijf Haarlem gave up the struggle and put the machines to sleep. Not knowing what to do with its dormant white elephant, the electricity company turned to NedWind. With its eye on the existing power purchase contract held by the wind plant, NedWind decided to buy the entire property and earn some extra cash generating kilowatt hours with its own technology and selling these to the utility. The wind plant is expected to generate 1.5 million kWh a year and is equipped with a roadside sign giving information on its production to passers by.
The contract price for the power remains undisclosed, but NedWind says it is not going to get rich quick. The four turbines are located directly below a flight path into Schiphol Airport and NedWind considered it important they were seen to be working.
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