P3 and Sunrock embarked on a renewable energy project at P3 Echt, a strategic logistics hub in the Netherlands, located near the German and Belgian borders. The project aimed to install photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate clean energy. However, the project faced a critical challenge: the Netherlands' power grid is one of the most congested in Europe, and the local grid operator initially denied the connection request due to this congestion. This put the entire project at risk, threatening the realization of P3’s sustainability goals.
To overcome the grid congestion issue, P3 and Sunrock, in collaboration with the local grid operator, conducted thorough investigations to explore alternative solutions. Their efforts led to the development of a groundbreaking solution: an 11 km underground cable connection to the nearest available grid substation. This innovative approach allowed the project to proceed despite the grid’s initial limitations. Sunrock, with its expertise in large-scale solar installations, installed 24,240 solar panels on the rooftop of the logistics hub, ensuring the project met its sustainability targets.
The successful installation and connection of the PV panels to the national grid resulted in the generation of up to 12 MWp of renewable energy annually—enough to power over 3,600 homes. The project not only achieved its energy production goals but also earned P3 Echt the highest possible sustainability rating of ‘Outstanding’ from BREEAM, an international sustainability ratings agency. This project set a new benchmark for overcoming grid congestion in renewable energy projects and provided valuable insights for future initiatives. The success at P3 Echt has the potential to influence similar projects across Europe, further supporting P3’s and Sunrock’s commitment to sustainability and climate change mitigation.