From Landfill to Energy Source: Omexom Commissions Indaver Solar Park in Belgium

The park gives life to wasteland by converting the 20-hectare Hooge Maey landfill into a renewable energy hub. The landfill, which had been in operation since 1967, was sealed with a geomembrane and covered with 1.5 meters of soil. Traditionally associated with environmental degradation, the newly constructed solar park transforms a symbol of waste into an initiative of sustainability.  

The Indaver Solar Park features 32,688 solar panels, with an installed capacity of 23 MWp. This output is enough to power the equivalent of 8,000 households.

The project site presented a unique set of engineering challenges for the construction of the solar park that required innovative solutions.  

The job site spanned approximately 55 football fields and involved phased site preparation with drones, topographic surveys, and Last-Minute Risk Analyses (LMRA) to ensure precision and safety.  

Siebe Jespers, Project Manager at Omexom in Belgium has been overseeing this project since the commercial phase in May 2024. He recalls that creating a clear and efficient engineering process was initially a significant struggle, but it ultimately proved invaluable for the project’s success. 

Since the beginning of the project, aside from the challenges posed by the landfill terrain, the major obstacle has been establishing a well-coordinated engineering workflow.  

With approximately five different engineering firms involved, specializing in soil irradiation, erosion control, landfill stability, wind load analysis, and more, ensuring smooth collaboration at every stage was crucial.    

“Solving a problem doesn’t always require ‘hyper focusing’. Sometimes taking a step back and looking at the broader picture helps even more,” Siebe said. 

To mitigate erosion risks and protect the underlying geomembrane, the design strategically increases spacing between panels and raises mounting structures to support vegetation growth and slope stability.  

Due to steep terrain, shallow underground pipelines, and sensitive ground conditions, the project heavily relied on above-ground cabling routing and vertical mechanized transport materials safely. Safety protocols were reinforced through restricted zones, an on-site weather monitoring station, and Omexom’s proprietary ‘SAFETY UP’ control system.  

Each day, 50 members of the installation team under the guidance of prevention advisor, underwent a thorough safety briefing before passing through turnstile access control to install solar panels, cabling, and transformers. 

This new solar park, a true example of environmental responsibility combined with technical ingenuity, will be connected to a new 36-kV high-voltage substation on the Elia transmission grid, making the supply of energy more sustainable and future-proof.