New solar project in Ghent is one of the largest in Flanders

15,000 solar panels on Lemahieu Group’s warehouses in Ghent are to provide green energy to the City of Ghent’s buildings.

Lemahieu Group and citizens’ collaboration Beauvent have teamed up to invest in a new solar energy project. In the coming months, 6.4 hectares of rooftop area at Lemahieu Group’s site in Ghent will be transformed to carry 15,000 XL solar panels.

The plant will provide 7000 MWh in green energy to the buildings of the City of Ghent for at least 15 years through a power procurement agreement.

The City of Ghent is already generating some 10 per cent of the electricity consumed by the city’s buildings from the solar panels on its own roofs. The new solar panels at Rigakaai will mean that, in one fell swoop, the City will generate 46 per cent of its electricity consumption from locally produced renewable energy. This far exceeds the target of 30 per cent by 2024.

This project was set up at the City of Ghent’s request and is a first in Flanders. It is the first time that a city will be purchasing solar energy generated on the rooftop of a private owner. The people of Ghent will also be able to co-invest in the solar panels because the project will be part-funded by citizens’ participation.