Anesco has energised a trio of solar farms in the Netherlands for Shell Renewables and Energy Solutions, a business of Shell that invests in new and fast-growing segments of the energy industry.

The first, a 12MWp (p for peak) array in Emmen, in the province of Drenthe in the northeast of the Netherlands, is situated on the site of a former gas works. It was completed by Anesco’s EPC team (engineering, procurement and construction) in tandem with the build of a 14MWp solar farm, located near to the town of Heerenveen, in the province of Friesland. The third is a 30MWp solar installation in Sas Van Gent, located on a former industrial site in the province of Zeeland.

Each solar farm benefits from ‘an advanced biodiversity plan’ that is designed to achieve ‘the maximum ecological impact for local wildlife and creating habitats for some of the most at-risk species’.

Having been energised, all three sites are now being looked after by Anesco’s specialist operations and maintenance team, who will ensure they continue to operate at their optimal efficiency. In addition, waste material from all three solar farm sites has been recycled with the money raised being donated to two charities situated close to the solar farms.

Mark Futyan, Anesco’s CEO, said: “When we officially broke ground on these three solar farms for Shell, it was an important milestone for us, marking Anesco’s first projects outside of the UK.

“Despite the challenges faced because of the pandemic, our EPC team has done a fantastic job and it’s been a pleasure to work with Shell to bring these projects to fruition, while also giving something back to the local communities where they are based.”

Established in Reading in 2010, Anesco has developed more than 100 solar farms and 30 battery storage facilities, while its renewables operation and maintenance arm now has more than 24,000 renewable assets under management.