Windpark Nieuwe Hemweg

Hidden amidst the bustling industrial landscape of Amsterdam’s Westerlijkhavengebied, stands the Windpark Nieuwe Hemweg. This isn’t just any wind farm. It’s a testament to collaboration and innovation, rising tall against the backdrop of the NUON power plant. Windpark Nieuwe Hemweg replaced twelve older windmills, eight from its own location and four from the IJsselmeer near Medemblik. This replacement aligns with the province of Noord-Holland’s policy of removing two older windmills for every new one installed. The six towering turbines of Windpark Nieuwe Hemweg stand 150 meters tall. Their construction is a marvel of engineering, starting with the laying of sturdy access roads for heavy machinery. Then, 156 half-meter diameter piles, each 28 meters long, were driven deep into the earth. These piles, reinforced with steel and filled with concrete, form the unshakeable foundation for these giants. The construction also involved a unique partnership between Vattenfall, NS (Dutch Railways), and ProRail. NS owns the land beneath the turbines and crane positions, while Vattenfall operates the wind farm itself. ProRail, meanwhile, purchased the surrounding land to expand their train depot. This makes Windpark Nieuwe Hemweg the first wind farm in the Netherlands built directly adjacent to a train depot. The turbines, officially opened in 2021, generate 13.2 MW of power, nearly double the output of their predecessors. This energy powers the equivalent of ten thousand households. Windpark Nieuwe Hemweg is not just a source of clean energy. It’s a symbol of progress, showcasing how collaboration and innovative thinking can transform even the most industrial of landscapes into a sustainable powerhouse.