Friesland Council approves investment for offshore development

Friesland's Council has approved the proposed €127 million (US$138 million) investment in the 320 MW Windpark Fryslân, an offshore wind farm of the Dutch Province of Friesland.

The Province and the developers are expected to sign the official cooperation agreement, which will allow the province to control a minority stake in the project, on 15 May. Back in November 2016, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the resulting approval by the Provincial Council.

Once the developers secure the funding for the entire project and the construction works start, the funds will be transferred. This is expected in the second half of 2018 while the farm is expected to produce its first power in 2021.

Being developed by Ventolines BV on behalf of Windpark Friesland BV, the project has already seen a €7 million ((US$7.6 million) investment through the Province's subsidiary Funs Skjinne Fryske Enerzjy.

The wind farm located in the Frisian part of the IJsselmeer lake will comprise 89 turbines.