The municipalities of Meppel, Steenwijkerland, Westerveld and Zwolle, in collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat, want to further explore solar energy along the A28 and A32 motorways. For this they have signed a declaration of intent.
The idea is to use verges and strips of land along the highways for solar panels. In this way there is more room for agriculture, homes or nature. The plan is part of the national program ‘Occupancy of Energie op Gijksvergoed’ (OER), whereby the Government makes land available for sustainable energy projects.
A challenge is the limited capacity on the power grid. Large parts around the A28 and A32 are so -called ‘congestion areas’, places where it is just full. That is why smart and innovative ways to connect solar parks.
The Netherlands wants to be energy neutral in 2050 and with this project the municipalities want to take a step in the energy transition.