First floating solar farm within offshore wind farm ready for installation
The floating solar farm Nymphaea Aurora has been fully assembled and is now ready for transport to the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind park, located 18.5 kilometers off the Dutch coast. The wind park is being developed by CrossWind, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco.
The installation, larger than a football field, was designed and built by Oceans of Energy. It is the first time such a solar array will be integrated into an existing offshore wind infrastructure. This is an important milestone in the efficient use of marine space and the combined generation of renewable energy at a single site.
Solar and wind energy at one and the same location
By combining offshore solar energy with existing wind park infrastructure, more renewable energy can be produced in the same location. This opens new opportunities for the development of multifunctional zones at sea.
Maria Kalogera, Innovations Manager at CrossWind, explains: “Offshore solar is a promising complement to wind energy. This integration can increase energy output and improve the efficiency of existing infrastructure.”
Innovative design
The floating solar system, resting on the water’s surface like a water lily, has been named Nymphaea Aurora. According to CEO Allard van Hoeken, its light, scalable, sea-level design is essential for scaling up offshore solar energy worldwide.
European relevance
The project is supported by several public bodies, including the Dutch government and port authorities, as part of wider European efforts to advance the energy transition. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) also sees this project as a strong example of the innovation potential in integrated offshore solutions.
While this project is taking place in the Netherlands, the technological insights and policy learnings are highly relevant for all North Sea countries aiming to expand sustainable offshore energy production. We warmly congratulate Oceans of Energy on this major achievement.
About Oceans of Energy
Oceans of Energy is a Dutch company that specializes in innovative floating solar energy solutions for offshore environments. Their technology enables the generation of clean solar energy on water, even under rough sea conditions. With projects such as the Nymphaea Aurora solar farm, they are pioneering the integration of solar and wind energy at sea.
Oceans of Energy is a member of Blue Cluster.
