On our way to CO2-neutral energy consumption in 2025
07 July 2020
Sustainability is one of the pillars of Royal FloraHolland’s strategy. Our further development with respect to sustainability is manifest in four major ambitions. One of these is CO2 neutral energy consumption in 2025. What is the status of this endeavour?
In order to realise our ambition of achieving CO2 neutral energy consumption in 2025, we are taking major steps this year. These are all aimed at maximising the reduction of our CO2 footprint.
Achieved in 2020
Two big steps have already been taken this year:
- As of 1 January 2020, we are only purchasing sustainably generated electricity. This will reduce Royal FloraHolland's total CO2 emissions by approximately 64% annually.
- This spring, solar panels were installed on the roofs of our facilities at the Eelde location. This produces 1MHw of solar power. This solar installation generates almost 100% of the energy consumption at the Eelde location.
- We will also soon be commencing the installation of solar panels (almost 25,000 units combined) at both Aalsmeer and Rijnsburg. Delivery of both projects will take place in the course of Q4 2020.
Second geothermal heat source project Trias Westland started
A third major step in 2020 is our participation in Trias Westland's second heat source. This past June, Trias Westland started drilling for geothermal energy at a depth of 2.3 kilometres. Royal FloraHolland will purchase geothermal heat and use it for the packaging washer and heating of the Strijp building at the Naaldwijk location. The purchase of this geothermal energy will reduce the gas consumption in Naaldwijk as well as the CO2 emissions, both by approximately 18%. In addition, geothermal heating contributes to our energy independence and a clean environment.
After a successful test, the second geothermal heat source could be operational in the middle of the second quarter of 2021. This is a little later than originally planned, due to the fact that the drilling tower became available later than expected.
Progress Trias activities at location Naaldwijk
The heat transmission lines along TPW Venus have now been installed. Hard work is proceeding on the connection point along the Strijpzijde, after which we can install the connection point to the building. The transmission lines for the greenhouse sites that are further away will be installed through the Royal FloraHolland sites in the direction of the Dijkweg/Nieuweweg in the near future.