ECN arranges this local ownership for the companies Chint Solar and TP Solar. But Ankehaar Solar and ECN no longer work together. “Ankehaar Solar has not wanted to continue with us for some time, but we are now coming up with a statement. Ankehaar Solar has unilaterally broken the cooperation with us, for reasons unknown to us. They no longer want to work together and are not obliged to. But they do not come up with an alternative to give local ownership hands and feet,” says Jeroen Niezen on behalf of ECN.
Niezen cannot agree that the municipality of Noordenveld nevertheless issues a building permit to the company of the Janssen brothers. “It is not in line with the policy of the municipality regarding such plans. This is a political choice that we do not support.”
Bart Janssen of Ankehaar Solar gives a different view. “It is not the case that we have terminated the cooperation with ECN, that is emphatically untrue.”
According to Janssen, ECN has actually lost confidence in Ankehaar Solar. “They did that by letter last year. And then there is no turning back.”
Brother Jannes Janssen is surprised that ECN is now calling on the municipality not to issue a permit. “We want to realize a solar park in which the environment is central,” he says. “Together with the environment, we want to give substance to local ownership. This can be done on an individual basis, but also collectively. If local residents or residents of the municipality of Noordenveld want to unite in a foundation or association, for example, we are happy to work with them. “
Janssen says it wants to offer an alternative to Energy Cooperative Noordseveld, which is currently the only energy cooperative in Noordenveld. “Given the initial reactions, we think there is a need for this.” The brothers are not secretive about this form of local ownership. “Everything can be read neatly on our site.”
Janssen regrets ECN’s statement. “This does not benefit the development of the solar park and the energy transition. It is only intended to confuse the council.”
Alderman Kirsten Ipema also thinks it is a pity that ECN is now publishing this statement. According to her, the Janssen brothers have found an excellent way to arrange local property themselves. “They give the immediate area free shares. Those who live a little further away have to pay for it. The shares can be issued individually, but also collectively so that their own cooperative can be started.”
If Ankehaar Solar does not reach 50 percent local ownership, there are still a few ‘fallback options’, according to the alderman. “That could be taken care of by an environmental fund, for example. Ankehaar Solar would then pay the municipality and the municipality would then have to ensure that the money is spent in the environment. But ideally enough shares are issued to reach that 50 percent,” says Ipema .