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Sustainable energy

The port of Rotterdam is an attractive location for sustainable energy production such as solar energy, wind energy and energy production from biomass. The port offers logistical advantages for the supply of raw materials. Furthermore, space has been reserved for wind turbines and solar panels. The Municipality of Rotterdam, the Dutch central government, the province of South Holland and the Port of Rotterdam Authority also have a strong focus on sustainability and they stimulate sustainable initiatives.

Energy from biomass

Co-firing biomass in power stations is an important way to reduce CO2 emissions in energy generation. That is why co-firing forms a major part of the Dutch Energy Agreement and is stimulated by subsidies. The new coal-fired power stations of Engie (formerly GdF Suez) and Uniper (formerly EON) on the Maasvlakte are both capable of co-firing 20 to 30 per cent biomass. The biomass co-fired in coal-fired power stations usually consists of imported wood chips, but residual materials, for example from the biobased chemical industry, can also play a part. The AVR biomass power station (BEC) in Rozenburg runs entirely on residual wood.

Wind energy

The port of Rotterdam is an attractive location for wind farms. With the North Sea just outside, the wind blows almost all the time. The Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Dutch government have a strong focus on sustainable energy generation and wind energy. Currently, wind turbine capacity in the port area generates 200 megawatt (MW). In its Port Vision, the Port of Rotterdam Authority has committed itself to 300 MW installed wind energy in the port of Rotterdam by 2020.

Construction of new wind turbines

In order to realise these ambitions, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, together with partners and power companies, is making plans on how to deploy locations for wind energy. Furthermore, obsolete wind turbines in the port area will be replaced by turbines with more capacity. The seawall of Maasvlakte 2 is one of the most important new locations for wind energy. The tender for the hard seawall is expected to be launched by the State Property Agency and the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment in 2015. In addition, the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management is investigating the possibilities for placing wind turbines on the soft seawall (beach) of Maasvlakte 2.

Wind energy
Sustainable energy, duurzame energie, erneuerbare Energien

Solar energy

The use of solar energy in the port is still in its infancy, but there are many possibilities. The roof areas of business locations can be used to generate solar energy on a large scale. The vacant sites also have potential. The Port of Rotterdam Authority supports business cases which can kick-start the development of solar parks. In 2014 a large solar panel park was opened on the roof of the RDM Scheepsbouwloods and solar panels have also been installed on the cold storage facility of Kloosterboers Delta Terminal.

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Would you like to know more about sustainable energy generation in the port of Rotterdam, the possibilities of wind turbine construction, installation of solar panels or the use of biomass in the port? The Port of Rotterdam Authority has the necessary experience to support companies in realising their sustainability ambitions. For further information, please contact:

Nicole van Klaveren
Business Manager Dry Bulk and Energy
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