Greenhouse operator utilising geothermal wins prestigious government sustainability award in the Netherlands
Plants in Amerlaan's greenhouse (source: company)
Alexander Richter
29 Jan 2021
Dutch greenhouse nursery company Amerlaan wins prestigious EZK Energy Award 2020 by the Netherland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK). The company was awarded for its sustainability efforts saving more than 25,000 tons of CO2 annually by using geothermal energy in its greenhouses.
In December 2020 we reported that geothermal pioneer Ammerlaan was nominated for a prestigious award in the Netherlands given for distinguished leaders in the field of sustainability. Now the resultas are in and the EZK Energy Award 2020 was indeed won by the Ammerlaan nursery company. Congratulations
The EZK Energy Award is awarded annually by the Ministry of Economic Affairs to an organization that has distinguished itself in the field of sustainability in the past year.
Kwekerij Ammerlaan was selected from three nominated companies because of its unique application of geothermal energy.
More and more companies and organizations are working on sustainability. To make good examples visible and to highlight forerunners, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) has been presenting the Energy Award since 2016 to organizations that distinguish themselves positively in the field of energy saving, sustainable energy generation and / or renewable heat.
Nominees 2020
The following three companies have been nominated by the jury for the EZK Energy Award 2020:
- Dairy farm Stokman Koudum – The Stokman family business produces green gas by fermenting cattle manure. With this, homes in the Koudum are heated sustainably.
- PolyStryreneLoop BV – PolyStyreneLoop develops a sustainable recycling technique with which polystyrene foam can be used as an insulation material in construction.
- Kwekerij Ammerlaan – Kwekerij Ammerlaan saves more than 25,000 tons of CO2 annually by using geothermal energy in its greenhouses. Ammerlaan was chosen as the winner by the jury because of the connecting role that the company has played in the region. In addition to its own greenhouses, 24 other growers, apartments in Pijnacker-Noord, Stanislas College, a sports center and a swimming pool make use of geothermal energy.
About the EZK Energy Award
The EZK Energy Award is presented annually to organizations that distinguish themselves positively in the field of energy saving, sustainable energy generation and renewable heat. The prize is traditionally awarded on the last day of the EZK event: Partners in Energy Challenges. Léon Ammerlaan received the award and cash prize of EUR 25,000 digitally during the EZK event: Partners in energy challenges.
Source: Rejksoverheid
