In what is a first in Flanders, a new 5,000 m² solar energy park has been commissioned that will supply power directly to two road tunnels. The solar energy park is located at the Zelzate-West interchange between the R4 motorway and the E34 expressway. Power will be supplied to the Zelzate Tunnel and the Debbaut Tunnel.
It is estimated that the solar panels at the energy park will yield between 900 to 930 MWh per annum. This is almost half of the energy requirements of the two tunnels. Around 75% of the energy used in the tunnels goes to essential tunnel technologies such as ventilation, pumps and permanent lighting. By using solar power from its own energy park, the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV) expects to save around 200,000 euro per annum on its energy bill.
The solar energy park is a pilot project by AWV and the Flemish Energy Company. The Flemish Energy Company is the agency working on more sustainable and efficient energy management. Together AWV and the Flemish Energy Company are investigating how road infrastructure can become more energy self-sufficient in the future thanks to locally-produced, sustainable energy.
The Flemish Transport Minister Annick De Ridder (nationalist) told journalists that “By making our regional routes and highways more sustainable, we are making them more robust and efficient. This is a win-win situation: better for our energy independence, better for the environment and better for our pockets”.
"We have been installing LED lighting for a number of years now to reduce our energy consumption, but now we are going to generate green electricity ourselves to supply power to our tunnels.”