Anesco has energised a trio of solar farms in the Netherlands for Shell Renewables and Energy Solutions totalling 56MW.
The first, a 12MW array in Emmen, in the province of Drenthe in the northeast of the Netherlands, is situated on the site of a former gas works.
It was completed by Anesco’s EPC team in tandem with the build of a 14MW project located near to the town of Heerenveen in the province of Friesland.
The third is a 30MW installation in Sas Van Gent, located on a former industrial site, in the province of Zeeland.
Anesco said it worked closely with local suppliers and Shell to deliver the projects, overcoming the challenges of the Covid pandemic to do so.
Each solar farm benefits from an advanced biodiversity plan, designed to achieve the maximum ecological impact for local wildlife and creating habitats for some of the most at-risk species, Anesco said.
All three sites are now being looked after by Anesco’s specialist operations and maintenance team.
Waste material from all three solar farm sites has been recycled with the money raised being donated to two charities situated close to the solar farms.
A contribution from Shell and the support of other project partners, has seen a total of €6000 donated to a Heerenveen hospice and €10,000 given to a local food bank in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.
Anesco chief executive Mark Futyan said: “When we officially broke ground on these three solar farms for Shell, it was an important milestone for us, marking Anesco’s first projects outside of the UK.
“Despite the challenges faced as a result of the pandemic, our EPC team has done a fantastic job and it’s been a pleasure to work with Shell to bring these projects to fruition, while also giving something back to the local communities where they are based.”
Anesco project manager Tyrone Rogers said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Shell and the other partners on these three solar farms.
“Unlike our UK projects, where any surplus materials would simply be transported and used on other sites, this wasn’t going to be a viable option here.
“Recycling the materials and donating the proceeds was the perfect solution for minimising waste, whilst also making a contribution towards vital services in the local community.”