Province of South Holland wants to fill land along highways with solar panels

Together with Rijkswaterstaat, energy regions and municipalities, the province of South Holland is investigating whether there are suitable locations for solar panels along the A12 freeway in South Holland. Grounds along highways belong to Rijkswaterstaat and are now often not used. A letter of intent was therefore signed on June 25 to work out whether solar energy can be generated along highways.

Berend Potjer (deputy energy) is pleased that land along the highways will be used for the generation of sustainable energy: "In this way we are making good use of unused space and we are setting a good example as governments. We will also explore how we can ensure that local residents benefit too."

The initiative is part of the national program Opwek van Energie op Rijksvastgoed (OER), in which the government makes land available for energy projects. Along the A12, from The Hague to the provincial border in Woerden, about 45 kilometers are available to possibly install solar panels. The A13 near Delft is also suitable for this purpose.

Local residents benefit

An initial survey of available space to install solar panels began last fall. Space was found along the A12 motorway. With this letter of intent, it was agreed to elaborate further on where exactly the solar panels could be located, how they would fit into the landscape and whether the project would be financially feasible.

In the next phase - probably mid-2025 - local residents will also be informed and involved in the plans. We will also see if people in the neighborhood can benefit financially or become co-owners.

Joint project

The OER project A12 South Holland is a collaboration between the municipalities of The Hague, Delft (A13), Zoetermeer, Lansingerland, Zuidplas, Waddinxveen, Gouda and Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, the province of South Holland, the RES regions of Rotterdam Den Haag and Midden-Holland, ProRail and Rijkswaterstaat region West-Nederland-Zuid (WNZ). Also involved are Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), Rijksvastgoedbedrijf (RVB) and Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO).

In the Netherlands, measures have been agreed in the Climate Accord, to greatly reduce_{CO2 emissions}: by half compared to 1990 by 2030 and by 95 percent by 2050. Local governments have promised in the energy regions (RES regions) to generate their own renewable energy. At the same time, there is little room in South Holland for large-scale generation. The central government can help by making state land along the highway available. This is the OER program.