Buren, 9 January 2026 – The development of the floating solar park on the De Molenkampen sand extraction lake near Beusichem reached an important milestone at the end of 2025. Developer Novar has taken over development of the project from Vattenfall. In cooperation with energy cooperative eCoBuren, this brings the realization of the solar park a major step closer. Once operational, the 13MWp solar park is expected to generate enough renewable electricity each year for approximately 5,000 households.
Since 2021, area developer K3Delta Zand en Grind, eCoBuren and the municipality have been working together on the development of a floating solar park in the newly created nature area De Molenkampen. The project will be realized on the lake formed by sand extraction and combines nature development with renewable energy generation. Alderman Pieter Neven, Projects: “Zonnepark Molenkampen is a valuable development that aligns with our ambitions.”
De Molenkampen will combine nature development with renewable energy generation.
Combining Nature Development and Renewable Energy
The development of the De Molenkampen nature area serves multiple purposes. This is emphasized by Hans Hooijer, Head of the Area Development Division at K3Delta: “In addition to sand extraction, the area subsequently also offers space for generating clean and renewable energy. De Molenkampen clearly demonstrates how raw material extraction, nature development and renewable energy generation can strengthen one another.”
Landowner Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen also sees opportunities, provided the solar park is carefully integrated into the landscape. Gerard Jonkers, Strategic Advisor: “With sufficient attention to landscape integration and biodiversity in the surrounding area, renewable energy generation can go hand in hand with experiencing natural and cultural heritage. The agreements made with eCoBuren and Novar give us great confidence in this.”
Smart Use of Water for Renewable Energy
In addition to generating renewable energy, the floating solar park also contributes to the efficient use of scarce land. Because the solar panels are placed on the water, valuable agricultural land can remain available for its original function. Moreover, the cooling effect and reflection of the water contribute to a higher efficiency of the panels.
Takeover by Novar
While Vattenfall initially developed the solar park, Novar, in close consultation with eCoBuren, took over the project at the end of 2025. The green energy systems developer intends to also realize a battery at the solar park. This will allow generated electricity to be stored temporarily and fed back into the grid at a later time, enabling the renewable energy to be used as efficiently as possible.
In addition, it is being explored whether, in the longer term, part of the sustainably generated electricity from De Molenkampen solar park could be supplied to future nearby residential areas and business parks.
Local Ownership
Local residents and other stakeholders have been actively involved in the development of the solar park. Evert Obdeijn, Project Manager at eCoBuren, explains: “Our aim is 50% local ownership, giving local residents and other inhabitants of the municipality the opportunity to participate and benefit.”
Aiming for 50% local ownership, gives local residents the opportunity to participate and benefit from this project.
Alderman Martine de Bas, Sustainability, also underlines the importance of local ownership: “It is a step closer to greater local ownership in local energy generation and achieving our Regional Energy Transition 1.0 targets. The municipality is also pleased that, through the takeover, we have the opportunity to explore whether the solar park can add value to housing developments in the area. We thank residents’ collective eCoBuren and project developer Novar for their important role in this takeover.”
About Novar
Novar is improving the world through renewable energy. We develop large-scale solar projects, battery technology, hydrogen production, thermal storage, private distribution networks and smart grids. We currently have more than 600 projects under development, ranging from individual assets to complete green energy systems in which supply and demand are smartly aligned. Our ultimate goal: to realize four gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 (equivalent to the electricity consumption of one million households).
About eCoBuren
eCoBuren is a young cooperative from Buren, active in the region with projects such as rooftop solar, charging stations and solar fields. Together with developer Novar, eCoBuren is currently working on the development of four solar fields, including De Molenkampen. Along with other cooperatives in the region, eCoBuren is committed to the Energiegemeenschap Rivierenland, in which locally generated energy is shared at a favorable local rate.
