Dutch power and natural gas company Eneco has signed a long-term contract with C-Power for the purchase of the electricity generated by six offshore wind turbines, offshore Belgium, totaling 30MW.
According Eneco, by the end of January 2009, two turbines will produce electricity followed by the other four turbines in April 2009. In time the offshore wind farm will be expanded to 300MW.
In 2008 Eneco put the Princess Amalia Wind Farm in the Netherlands into operation. This 120 MW farm 23 kilometres off the Dutch coast symbolises the company’s ambition to develop renewable energy projects, including several offshore wind energy projects in Europe.
Eneco said that it took over Air Energy earlier this year and submitted a concession application in Belgium for a wind farm with the name North Sea Power. This park is intended to generate between 400 MW and 600 MW. In addition, the energy company develops wind farms, biomass installations and solar energy based projects in both the industrial and agricultural sector.
Filip Martens, C-Power’s director, said: “Eneco’s profile has played a role in the decision. This makes Eneco different in comparison to other energy producers.”
Michael Corten, Eneco Belgium’s director, said: “The sustainably generated electricity will be sold to different Eneco customers throughout Belgium. Eneco Belgium’s goal is to obtain at least two-thirds of our portfolio from green energy.”