Wind Farm Hollandse Kust Noord (HKNN) is located in the North Sea, 18.5 km west of Egmond aan Zee. At the end of October 2023, the 69th turbine was installed, bringing the first subsidy-free wind farm into operation. The farm is operated by CrossWind, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco.

The government has determined that at this wind farm, no more than of 100 turbines with a maximum capacity of 6 MW can be installed. The maximum tip height is not allowed to exceed 251 meters above sea level. CrossWind has chosen to install 69 extra powerful wind turbines, each with a capacity of 11 MW. Each turbine has a rotor diameter of 200 meters, and the blades are each 97 meters long. Collectively, the turbines will be able to generate at least 3.3 TWh of electricity per year. This electricity will be lead through a power cable to an offshore “socket”, constructed by TenneT.

In addition to wind turbines, also floating solar panels will be installed on this energy farm. Furthermore, solutions will be devised to store excess energy in batteries, in times of low demand. The energy farm thus ensures a constant sustainable supply of electricity.

Pondera has been involved in the realization of this innovative project from the very beginning. In 2018, we wrote the EIA and appropriate assessment for the plot decision on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. We also provided the EIA, appropriate assessment and permits for the grid connection for TenneT.

From 2019, Pondera performed tender management for CrossWind to eventually submit a winning bid. Then we provided the permits for the innovations (battery and hydrogen hub and a floating solar park).

In 2023, we assisted CrossWind with technical compliance management and were involved in permit management during construction.