Port of Amsterdam welcomes first floating solar units for offshore solar-wind project

Renewable energy innovation

The first floating solar units for the Hollandse Kust Noord (HKN) offshore solar farm have arrived at the Port of Amsterdam. Developed by Oceans of Energy, these floating solar panels will be integrated with the CrossWind HKN offshore wind farm, creating one of the world’s largest offshore solar installations in the North Sea. 

Scheduled for deployment in 2025, this innovative solar farm is set to be the largest of its kind. It will harness Oceans of Energy’s technology, which has been tested to withstand the North Sea’s demanding conditions. Supported by both the European Commission and the Dutch Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, this project illustrates the Port of Amsterdam’s leadership in advanced renewable energy solutions, combining solar, wind, and hydrogen production.

The Port of Amsterdam’s strategic position

Amsterdam’s port facilities are crucial to this project, allowing Oceans of Energy to assemble the solar modules quickly and efficiently. By transporting the floating units in 7 MW batches through the IJmuiden sea sluice, the company can reduce its environmental footprint and streamline deployment without heavy-lift equipment. This modular setup has proven effective, with a similar project launched in Belgium earlier this year.

The 759 MW CrossWind project itself is breaking ground as the first offshore wind farm globally to incorporate battery storage and green hydrogen production on a megawatt scale. Expected to produce at least 3.3 TWh of renewable energy annually, it showcases Amsterdam’s role as a central hub for pioneering clean energy projects.

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