Solar Park Bellingwolde Commissioned: Final Milestone in a Remarkable Project 

Groningen, 14 January 2026

On Wednesday, 10 December, Solar Park Bellingwolde was officially commissioned. Construction of the 74 MWp solar park has been completed, and the site is now delivering sustainably generated electricity to the grid. The commissioning of any project is a significant moment, but for Solar Park Bellingwolde it is particularly notable. The development faced a long lead-up due to the Grenstraktaat van Meppen (Meppen Border Treaty) of 1824. This treaty, still legally binding, states that no buildings may be erected within 376 metres of the national border. Thanks to intensive international cooperation between municipalities, provinces, Landkreise, research institutions and the project initiators, the project has now been successfully completed. 

At the Heart of the Debate: Is a Solar Park a “Building”? 

In 2020, Solarfields, now Novar, received the permit for the realization of the solar park. No objections were filed during the public consultation period. Nevertheless, the project was halted. The reason: Landkreis Emsland argued that the solar park conflicted with the Border Treaty, as part of the project site lies within the 376-metre zone. The core question became: does a solar park fall under the definition of a “building” as stated in the treaty? 

In the Netherlands, a solar park is considered a structure, but not a building. This distinction is not interpreted in the same way in Germany. As a result, the municipality of Westerwolde concluded that the project complied with the treaty, while Landkreis Emsland reached the opposite conclusion. This sparked intensive cross-border dialogue aimed at finding clarity. With several initiatives in the border area, from renewable energy to recreation and nature development, there was a clear need for a shared, future-proof interpretation of the treaty.  

A Future Vision: Meppener Traktat 2.0 

Commissioned by the Provinces of Groningen and Drenthe and the German Landkreise Emsland and Leer, RaUm Consult and the University of Groningen developed a vision document outlining a future-proof interpretation of the Border Treaty. This vision introduces the concept of Common Development Zones: areas where joint development is possible in fields such as renewable energy, nature, landscape, tourism and recreation. Within this framework, Solar Park Bellingwolde is designated as part of the renewable energy zone. Based on this new cross-border vision, Landkreis Emsland granted approval for the development on 20 December 2022, allowing the project to move forward. 

From Approval to Execution 

After formal approval, project development accelerated. Together with the municipality of Westerwolde, the Province of Groningen and the local energy cooperative Lethe Stroomt, work on the solar park progressed rapidly. In March 2025, the project reached Financial Close: funding was secured, contracts were signed, and construction could begin. 

Gerben Smit, CEO of Novar and Project Director of Solar Park Bellingwolde: “This project demonstrates what is possible when governments, knowledge institutions and market parties truly work together across borders. It has been a long road, but the result speaks for itself: a solar park that generates sustainable energy and serves as an example of how we can collaborate on renewable development in border regions. I am extremely proud of the commitment and dedication shown by everyone involved.” 

Partners and Local Collaboration 

The successful realization of Solar Park Bellingwolde is the result of years of effort and cooperation. Novar extends its gratitude to initiator Kor Werkman, the municipality of Westerwolde, the Provinces of Groningen and Drenthe Landkreise Emsland and Leer, RaUm Consult, the University of Groningen, and energy cooperative Lethe Stroomt. Their combined expertise, persistence and cross-border collaboration made it possible to complete this project and establish a solid foundation for future sustainable developments in the region. 

Novar also collaborated with a wide range of partners, including: