The proceeds from the solar route to be constructed along the A37 highway in Drenthe must reach local residents as much as possible. With this principle as a starting point, umbrella organizations in the municipalities of Coevorden, Emmen and Hoogeveen are currently working on the mobilization of local residents. “So that we will soon have a large group of participants at once.”
This is what chairman Willy Heijnen of energy cooperative Klavertje4/Holsloot says. Last year it was determined that the aim is for fifty percent of the solar project to be locally owned. “And that is important, because not only do we ensure support for the project among local residents, but we also prevent the proceeds from sustainable energy from benefiting, for example, foreign investors.”
With the establishment of the joint umbrella organization, residents must become full discussion partners in this project, says Heijnen. “We are now doing some preliminary work to ensure that people actually participate,” says Heijnen. “In the municipality of Coevorden, there are twelve different villages along the highway, where residents within a certain postal code area can benefit from solar power. We now have cooperation from all these villages from organizations for Local Interest or Village Interests. The next step is that a working group is created per village, which will take this further.” Residents will then be told how they can participate in concrete terms and what it will bring them.
Steps are also being taken in this area in Hoogeveen, says quartermaster Gert-Jan Kreeft. “Although we are not yet as far along as the neighboring municipality of Coevorden, the intention is that we too establish an umbrella organization that includes Groene Wieken (Nieuwlande, Elim and Hollandscheveld) and the various neighborhoods and industrial estates of Hoogeveen. Pesse Energie Neutraal (PEN ) is also interested in participating, although this village is a bit further away from the solar route.” Ultimately, local initiatives to purchase sustainable energy should be launched through the umbrella organization.
“We are on the same track in Emmen,” adds quartermaster Maaike Boumans. “We will soon set up a so-called ‘sub-umbrella’, within which the villages of Erica, Nieuw-Amsterdam – Veenoord and Oranjedorp will be represented. We are still in discussions with other villages along the route.” The intention is that the Energiek Emmen area cooperative will be launched in Emmen at the end of March.