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Joint approach for energy hubs
In the Brainport region, as in the rest of the Netherlands, the electricity network is under pressure. The demand for power has increased as companies and organisations electrify and grow. To ensure that companies still have enough power, smart solutions and collaborations are needed. That is why 11 municipalities, led by Brainport Development are launching a coalition to accelerate energy hubs together.
Energy hub director
Of the 11 municipalities, three are putting together budgets to jointly employ an energy hub director. The municipalities of Veldhoven, Son & Breugel and Nuenen are investing in this person, who will work on business parks in their municipality to set up energy partnerships between the companies themselves and key stakeholders such as Enexis. The energy hub director will be employed by Brainport Development from September.
Knowledge sharing
Initiatives to achieve cooperation on business parks are already under way in many municipalities. In order to ensure that not every business park has to reinvent the wheel when it comes to energy cooperation, knowledge sharing within the coalition municipalities will also start in September. During the knowledge-sharing sessions, the steps needed to achieve an energy cooperation or energy hub will be discussed. Information is shared on the organisational, technical and legal aspects of an energy hub. In addition, news will be shared on upcoming, changing legislation. Municipalities can also present their case to the group to draw knowledge from it for the right solution. Annemiek Bles, programme manager for energy at Braiport Development, is coordinating the knowledge sharing:
‘Setting up an energy collaboration is still really pioneering, by combining knowledge and strengths in the region, we can achieve economies of scale and achieve energy hubs faster.’
Coalition
‘From the central government, we expect financial support for setting up energy hubs. But the urgency is great. We therefore don't want to wait for this support to be granted. With this coalition, we can get started now.’
Annemiek Bles
The following municipalities have joined the coalition: Best, Deurne, Eindhoven, Geldrop-Mierlo, Gemert-Bakel, Helmond, Laarbeek, Nuenen, Son & Breugel, Someren, Veldhoven.