The project office Brouwersdam did a market consultation in November and December for building a power plant at the Brouwersdam. There seems to be little enthusiasm to invest from the energy sector. Financial crisis, deficient capital position, overcapacity of conventional power plants and uncertainty about the possibility of subsidies are reasons to restrain. The project office will focus on improving the business case and reducing the risks. Potetial clients for renewable electricity generated by the dam will be sought and technical & tender details are being worked out. In April they would like to have their business case ready to be part of the Rijksstructuurvisie (national structural concept) Grevelingen and Volkerak-Zoommeer. Perhaps the power plant will be part of the national delta programme that will be presented on Prince’s Day. Source: Energeia
Piet Ackermans, director Infrastructure from Antea Group NL (formerly known as Oranjewoud) was interviewed by BNR Duurzaam about energy from water and the use of low and high tide. According to Piet tidal energy is a promising export product that we can deliver in many other countries as a leading Dutch water nation. There are plans to open up the Brouwersdam in the province of Zeeland to improve the water quality in the Grevelingenmeer and in the meantime electricity can be generated by using water turbines that are driven by the current of the water because of high and low tide. 195 MegaWatt can be produced when this project is realised in 3- 5 years. Enough energy to provide 50.000 households. Listen to the radio broadcast of Monday 3 February: http://bit.ly/1gIH0B7 (12:06-22.18 sec). Antea Group NL works closely together with Strukton in the Energising deltas project.