Utrecht,  19 augustus 2009 - By breaking a champagne bottle against one of the wind turbines, Jacqueline Cramer, the Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, brought the 9 wind turbines on the banks of the Noordhollandse Kanaal in Burgervlotbrug into operation. This wind farm is especially notable because local residents and members of the Kennemerwind wind energy cooperative can participate in the exploitation of the turbines by purchasing a bond. The wind farm will produce more than 25 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, which is enough for 7,200 households. Using the turbines as a renewable source of electricity will reduce CO2 emissions by 14,400 tonnes every year.

  Foto: Kick Smeets

The Burgervlotbrug Wind Farm is an initiative of the Kennemerwind wind energy cooperative. The 5 northern wind turbines are owned by Burgervlotbrug Beheer (which is 50% owned by the Kennemerwind wind energy cooperative and 50% by Evelop Investments). The 4 southern turbines are owned by Burgerwind CV. All electricity from the turbines is purchased by the energy company Greenchoice. Vestas supplied the wind turbines, each of which is an 850 kW turbine and is 65 metres high. The first initiative aimed at building the wind farm dates back to 1993. Construction work finally started in December 2008. The completed wind farm was handed over in July 2009.

Interested parties can participate financially in the 5 northern wind turbines owned by Burgervlotbrug Beheer. Bonds worth 1000 euros each will be issued. The surrounding residents and the members of the Kennemerwind wind energy cooperative will be given priority when the bonds are allocated. An amount of 5% covers emission costs. The term of the bonds is 6 years with an 8% interest coupon. All information about the bond loan can be downloaded from www.burgervlotbrug.nl from 19 August.

Evelop

Evelop develops, arranges the financing for, builds and manages onshore and offshore wind energy and biomass projects. Evelop is part of the Eneco energy company which focuses on transformation into a sustainable future.

Kennemerwind

Kennemerwind is an association of private individuals who have been advocating the generation of sustainable energy in Noord Holland as part of a cooperative since 1986. The methods used by the collective to convey its message include the construction and exploitation of wind turbines. Kennemerwind is especially active in the Alkmaar region, which includes the municipalities of Zijpe and Heerhugowaard. Kennemerwind carries out its projects in cooperation with other parties. Kennemerwind currently has approximately 800 members.

For more information please contact:
Anouk Stortenbeker, Marketing & Communications Manager Evelop
M:        0031(0)6 155 89 769
E:         This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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