Energy company plans to transform drab wind turbines into eco-friendly adrenaline rides.
Those zany Dutch have a thing for wacky windmills. They have used them to grind grain, pump water and generate electricity. But this time Qurrent, an innovative Dutch renewable energy company, has embraced an ambitious idea to transform a wind farm into the world’s first sustainable theme park.
In the cosy park you can enjoy 8,000 m2 of wind-fuelled good times. There will be thrills like the Beaufort Buster, easily the world’s tallest spiralling water slide, and chills like Blade Runner, a shockingly fast ride on a turbine blade booster. Drop down a whooping 96 meters in 1.5 seconds in Newton’s Nightmare, or take a rollercoaster ride in the Happy Hurricane. Clearly serving every eco-friendly thrill-seekers needs.
“Within ten years from now, wind energy will be ubiquitous,” says Richard Klatten, CEO of Qurrent. “We strive to be ahead of things, and shape the future of renewable energy. Creating an environment where people can experience clean energy in a fun and educational way could be one of those. And hey - how neat would it be to tell your friends you took a ride on an actual wind turbine?”
It is not the first match between energy and entertainment. Germany is host to WunderlandKalkar, an obsolete nuclear power plant turned amusement park. And Copenhagen is building a ski slope on top of a waste-to-energy power plant. Although we have seen theme parks powered by wind turbines, this time the wind turbine is the theme park.
One of the aims of the park is to showcase Dutch renewable energy and to prove that wind turbines are not an eyesore, but a celebration of environmental contribution. “An appreciation of what they do for the environment will accelerate the renewable wave,” Klatten says, “but there are still some bumps on the way.” Obviously, safety is one of them, as might be the impact on local businesses.
That is where the themeworld wizardry of Jora Entertainment comes to aid, a leading European company in the leisure industry. They have envisioned a theme park that is not just about adrenaline-inducing ecotourism attractions, but also about educating guests on the importance of sustainability practices. You can recharge your stomach at solar powered in-park eateries and there will be an extensive recycling program for both guests and staff.
