ROTTERDAM, 15 May 2025 – A new solar park has been inaugurated in Schiebroek, marking a milestone in local sustainable energy initiatives, co-owned and partly crowdfunded by Rotterdammers.
New solar park launched in Schiebroek
A solar park in the Schiebroek business district was officially opened on Wednesday, 14 May. What distinguishes the Zonnepark Schiebroek is its ownership model: it is co-owned by local entrepreneurs, property owners, and, notably, Rotterdam residents through crowdfunding.
The project was realised in partnership with energy supplier Greenchoice and the City of Rotterdam. It is the first solar park in the city to have 50 percent of its funding sourced via crowdfunding.
Entrepreneurs aim for energy-positive business district
Back in 2015, entrepreneurs and property owners from the Schiebroek business park—organised under the Business Investment Zone (BedrijvenInvesteringsZone or BIZ)—set the ambition to become energy-positive. This objective forms part of a broader plan to future-proof the area and reduce CO₂ emissions.
Joint effort between public and private partners
The concept of a local solar park took shape in 2018, leading to the establishment of the Schiebroek Energy Cooperative (Energiecoöperatie Schiebroek). The group partnered with Greenchoice and the municipality.
Greenchoice delegated the park’s development to its subsidiary KiesZon, while the municipality granted a leasehold on the land at Landscheiding/G.K. van Hogendorpweg.
Half of project funded by citizens
Construction began in June 2023 on a 2-hectare sand depot. Local residents were invited to participate in a pre-sale phase of the crowdfunding campaign. Within three weeks, the target sum of €915,000 was reached.
Ultimately, the solar park was financed jointly by business owners, Greenchoice, KiesZon, and Rotterdam residents—making it a collaborative city effort.
First energy project with business co-ownership
Zonnepark Schiebroek is the first energy project in the city where entrepreneurs on a business park hold 50 percent ownership. The park consists of 5,400 solar panels, generating an estimated 2.25 MWh annually—enough to supply electricity to around 1,000 households.
The project forms part of wider sustainability efforts in the area. Future plans include a shared fast-charging station for lorries and vans, accessible also to local residents. Additionally, solar carports and rooftop panels are being considered across the park.
Alderman Chantal Zeegers (Climate, among other portfolios) remarked: “This solar park shows what Rotterdam can achieve when we join forces. Entrepreneurs, residents and the municipality have created something that is not only sustainable, but also contemporary and reflective of Rotterdam.”
Directions to the solar park
Zonnepark Schiebroek is located at the Landscheiding/G.K. van Hogendorpweg in the northern part of Rotterdam. The area lies between Hillegersberg and Schiebroek, and is accessible via car and bicycle routes. Public transport options include bus and tram connections from Rotterdam Centraal or Meijersplein.
