Zeeuwind celebrates tenth birthday

Dutch wind energy co-operative, Zeeuwind, recently celebrated its tenth birthday with a NLG 2500 contribution to the development of hydro-power in Bhutan and the official opening of a new wind turbine in Borssele, Zeeland. Launched ten years ago with the construction of a 75 kW turbine at a site in Bath, near the Belgian border, Zeeuwind has grown into the largest Dutch wind energy co-operative. Its 1250 members include all the local councils in Zeeland, numerous businesses and many individuals. Together they have invested some NLG 1.5 million in development of wind plant and are guaranteed a return pegged at 1% above the current rate offered by the Post Office Savings Bank. The official opening of the 600 kW Vestas unit at the Borssele site brings Zeeuwind's total number of turbines to 19, and installed capacity to 4.5 MW.