Updated 27th June 2025 – The Hollandse Kust Noord (HKN) offshore wind farm in the North Sea is set to become the world’s first wind farm to integrate a floating offshore solar installation, marking a significant milestone in hybrid renewable energy systems. The solar farm, named Nymphaea Aurora, was recently assembled by Dutch company Oceans of Energy at the Port of Amsterdam in just three days. It will be deployed 18.5 km offshore this summer at the HKN site, operated by CrossWind, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco.
The innovation aims to maximize renewable energy generation from the same site by combining wind and solar technologies. The floating solar system is constructed from prefabricated modules specifically designed for harsh offshore conditions. Its water-level design mimics natural water lilies—both in aesthetics and function—minimizing material use and offering a scalable model for global deployment.
This integration is not just symbolic; it represents a technological and economic breakthrough for offshore solar power. According to CrossWind’s Innovations Manager, Maria Kalogera, the offshore solar component could significantly enhance the energy yield of offshore wind farms. Oceans of Energy CEO Allard van Hoeken emphasized that the structure’s minimal material footprint could allow large-scale, cost-effective offshore solar installations worldwide.
Rosetti Marino, has secured a contract for an offshore green hydrogen plant in Hollandse Kust Noord Wind Farm
July 14th 2023 – Italian engineering company, Rosetti Marino, has secured an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) contract from CrossWind for an offshore green hydrogen plant in Hollandse Kust Noord Wind Farm. The pilot plant is known as the Baseload Power Hub. It will be fully integrated into the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm located in the Netherlands. This groundbreaking project aims to convert excess wind energy into green hydrogen through an electrolyser. Furthermore, it will store it for later use as electricity via a fuel cell. The battery storage will also be incorporated to provide shorter-term power storage solutions.
The Baseload Power Hub is set to be the first platform of its kind globally. It will mark a significant milestone in offshore green hydrogen production for renewable energy storage. Based in Ravenna, Rosetti Marino sees this development as a crucial step towards diversifying energy sources in favour of renewables and the circular economy. Oscar Guerra, CEO of Rosetti Marino, expressed hope that solutions like this will gain traction. It will also drive further advancements in renewable energy.
By addressing the challenge of intermittent renewable energy production, the Baseload Power Hub aims to revolutionise the contribution of renewable energy sources to a cleaner and more reliable energy future. It will store excess energy and release it during periods of high demand when the wind farm output is insufficient. Maria Kalogera, Innovations Manager at CrossWind, emphasised the commitment to innovation and the pursuit of better energy solutions through the realisation of the Baseload Power Hub with Rosetti Marino.
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Commencement of the Offshore Green Hydrogen Plant in Hollandse Kust Noord Wind Farm
Under the contract, Rosetti Marino’s responsibilities encompass detailed engineering, procurement, construction, transport, installation at sea, commissioning, and start-up of the Baseload Power Hub. Construction of the offshore green hydrogen plant in Hollandse Kust Noord Wind Farm is scheduled to commence immediately, with completion expected by 2025.
The Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm is a joint venture between Shell and Eneco. It will provide the site for this ambitious undertaking. The wind farm features 69 Siemens Gamesa’s SG 11.0-200 DD 11 MW turbines. Once operational, it will generate a minimum of 3.3 TWh of clean energy annually.
The project at Hollandse Kust Noord boasts several world-first achievements. These includes being the first wind park with an offshore combination of battery storage. It is also the first round-trip green hydrogen produced from offshore wind power on a megawatt scale. Thus, this ambitious endeavour demonstrates the commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and fostering a more sustainable energy landscape.
