Danish renewables developer Better Energy has begun constructing a 200MW photovoltaic project, which will be northern Europe’s largest subsidy-free solar plant when completed next year.
The solar plant, in Holstebro municipality, in Denmark, is owned by Danish group Heartland.
The facility will be operational in mid-2021.
The solar plant will be the first of its kind built to be directly connected to the Danish electricity transmission network.
The connection will be made at Energinet’s transformer station in Idomlund in spring 2021.
Half of the output of the facility will be sold to Heartland’s subsidiary Bestseller, a fashion house, which corresponds to 100% of the company’s electricity demand for the buildings that it owns and operates.
Two other companies, Normal and Nemlig will also purchase electricity from the solar plant.
Better Energy CEO Rasmus Lildholdlt Kjaer said: “It is not only the size of the new solar plant that is ground-breaking, but it is also the fact that the solar plant will supply Bestseller and other companies with new subsidy-free green electricity.”
Energinet operations engineer Poul Oslo Rasmussen said: “This is the first time that a solar PV system has been connected directly to the Danish electricity transmission line and directly to electricity highways.
“A new, major step is being taken in Denmark’s green transition … Technically and electrically, a solar PV plant performs much differently than a traditional power plant.
“At Energinet, we need to be at the forefront of connecting this new type of production plant so that we can continue to maintain Denmark’s high security of supply and support the green transition.”
The solar plant is located on agricultural land that will be converted for organic farming.
Lildholdt Kjaer said: “During construction, permanent grass and herb vegetation cover in the form of organic clover grass will be established, sections of the undeveloped areas will be sown with flower seeds and pesticides will no longer be used on the land area … This is a good example of how renewable energy development, nature and biodiversity can go hand in hand.”
Lildholdt Kjaer added: “Part of the designated area is one of only two possible habitats in Denmark for the northern birch mouse, an endangered species. The birch mouse and other animal species will be protected during the construction phase.
“After the solar plant has been established, the area will serve as a long-term haven, providing wildlife with an expansive habitat with minimal human disturbance.”