Water board wants 95% less CO2 emissions when carrying out dyke reinforcement Lauwersmeerdijk-Vierhuizergat 

Water board Noorderzijlvest will start implementation of the dyke reinforcement Lauwersmeer-Vierhuizergat in 2023. By using electric machines, the water board aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 95%. For the plan, the water board wants to invest €8.2 million. Together with GMB and Heijmans as contractor combination Waddenkwartier, regional companies have also been asked to invest in cleaner machines with lower emissions. An important stimulus for the sustainability of equipment in the civil engineering sector.

Eisse Luitjens, executive director Noorderzijlvest Water Board: "With this investment, we are making an important contribution to the ambition of the Water Board and the State to emit 49% less greenhouse gas in 2030 compared to 1990. And we are showing that in Groningen we are investing heavily in energy transition. I think it's fantastic that we can contribute to this as a water board. For the investment, we also need the High Water Protection Program (HWBP). The HWBP supports our ambition; we are in good talks about funding."

Gérard Porton, project manager, on behalf of contractor combination Waddenkwartier of Heijmans and GMB: "At both Heijmans and GMB we have the ambition to build completely emission-free from 2026. This is an important step in the right direction. By deploying emission-free equipment, together we are ensuring a significant reduction in CO2 emissions during the dyke reinforcement. Thanks to the efforts of Heijmans, GMB and the parties from the region, we are working faster towards a sustainable and emission-free construction site. We are enormously proud of that."

Electric and hydrogen powered trucks, cranes, trailers and generators

It involves the use of a hydrogen truck, several larger and smaller cranes, tipper trucks, tractors with trailers and generators. This electric equipment saves some 600,000 liters of diesel. That's a 22% reduction in total diesel consumption. The diesel we use is fossil-free and renewable, called Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO100) diesel. The deployment of electric equipment and the use of HVO100 diesel together reduce CO2 by 95% compared to using regular equipment to reinforce the dike.

Reuse of resources and increased biodiversity

In addition to reducing emissions, we are strengthening the dike by reusing resources and contributing to biodiversity. For biodiversity, various nature measures are included in the project, such as fish migration and fresh-salt transition area. But also artificial reefs in front of the dike (the natural transition) and the development of a natural salt marsh. The dike itself is partly sown in with grasses rich in flowers and herbs. Furthermore, the dike is designed circularly. This means that almost 100% of the asphalt, clay and copper slag blocks from the existing dike will be reused in the new dike. As a result, far fewer new raw materials need to be brought in.

About the dike reinforcement Lauwersmeerdijk-Vierhuizergat

Starting in 2023, the water board and its partners will strengthen Groningen's Lauwersmeerdijk. It concerns 9 kilometers of sea dike between Lauwersoog and the Westpolder. While strengthening the dike, we will also be working on extras for nature, recreation and traffic. In this way we will ensure that we continue to be well protected against flooding in the future. And at the same time strengthen the nature, recreation and accessibility of the area.
Read more at lauwersmeerdijk.noorderzijlvest.nl

About the Flood Protection Program

This dike reinforcement is part of the High Water Protection Program. In the HWBP, the 21 water boards and Rijkswaterstaat are working together on the largest dyke reinforcement operation ever since the Delta Works. At least 1,500 kilometers of dikes and an additional 500 locks and pumping stations will be strengthened over the next 30 years. This is how we are working on a country where you can live, work and relax safely. Read more at www.hwbp.nl.