An elongated solar park of 42 kilometers along the A37, from Hoogeveen to the German border near Zwartemeer. That is the ambition of the A37 Zonner route.
But before the time comes, the necessary steps still have to be taken. 2026 will be a decisive year, says project leader Okke van Brandwijk on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat. The tender must leave the house next year, if everything goes according to plan, the construction starts in 2028.
The A37 Zonner Route project is all about solar panels in the middle and side verges of the highway, at nodes and exits. The expected yield is more than 176 megawatts of solar energy. That is enough power for tens of thousands of households. The project is a collaboration between the province of Drenthe, the municipalities of Emmen, Hoogeveen and Coevorden, Rijkswaterstaat and various energy companies.
An important condition for success is that the generated electricity can actually actually enter the currently overloaded network. “Fortunately, the schedules for the planned high -voltage stations in Hoogeveen and Veenoord are the same with our project,” says Van Brandwijk.
“In collaboration with network operators Enexis and Tennet, it has been made possible to bring out tenders for the construction of the stations. As a result, we can store the electricity from day one.”
During earlier residents’ meetings there was concern about the intended tree cover along the highway. At several locations, trees must disappear to make room for the solar panels.
A desk was called in last year that has mapped the effect of the tree cover. That report is now on the table at Van Brandwijk, but according to him there are still many legal and substantive questions unanswered. “For example, you have to indicate where you are going to plant new trees, even before you already have that possible soil. That makes it difficult. We first look at our own grounds (from Rijkswaterstaat). We can certainly put things on it, but not everything.”
A recent market consultation shows that market parties have doubts about the feasibility of the project. Concerns have been made in particular about risk distribution, permit processes and replanting obligation. A few things are therefore being used within the organization.
According to Van Brandwijk, everything will come together next year. “Then we have to take up the balance again: is it financially feasible, how does the market develop, can we get through? 2026 will be the year of truth.”
An important starting point is that local residents also benefit from the project. Last year a cooperative was set up per municipality (Energiek Emmen, Energiek Coevorden and Energiek Hoogeveen), which together are part of the umbrella energy umbrella organization Zonner route A37.
Local property is an essential part of the project. Umbrella leader Bert Raterink: “Potential developers will soon be obliged to offer at least twenty percent local ownership. Those who do not are simply not selected.”
Part of the profit from the solar park will be distributed through the dome over the three cooperatives where each gets an equal part, regardless of the size.
The money must be spent on social goals, preferably with a link to sustainability or the energy transition. Think of refurbishing village houses, placing solar panels on roofs of residents or greening the public space.
An important point of attention is the financing of local property. To participate, the cooperatives will have to make a financial contribution themselves. The umbrella organization is responsible for finding that money, for example through loans at banks, governments or investments of companies that can no longer take sustainable steps in their own field due to an overloaded energy network or lack of space.
According to Raterink, a precise estimate of the costs cannot yet be given. “We simply do not know whether the solar park will cost 20 million or 100 million. That will only be clear when the tender was awarded.”
But does the Zonner route already live somewhat in the region? Raterink points to the previously well -attended information evenings in the three municipalities. He is convinced that the Sun Solar Route is going to come. “If I speak purely for myself, I say that we are just going to get that twenty percent. And that we will participate in that for example and to reap the benefits. We are slowly working towards that final. But we would not do all of this if we didn’t believe in it.”