More than forty Dutch horticulture professionals gathered at Koppert for the latest edition of the Horti Science Café, a summer evening full of energy, both literally and figuratively. The central theme: the heat transition in the Oostland region of the Netherlands. A topic that's current, complex, and surprisingly full of promise.
The evening kicked off energetically with opening remarks from Councilor Leon Hoek and Gijs Scholtes of Tuinbouw Jongeren Oostland. The program got off to a strong start, setting the tone for a dynamic event.
Robbert van Ballegooijen (Koppert) welcomed guests to a company that is actively investing in sustainability. With less reliance on gas and smarter use of electricity, Koppert isn't watching the energy transition from the sidelines—they're right in the middle of it.
© Horti Science Café
From municipal policy to geothermal energy
Yvonne de Rooij from the municipality of Lansingerland kicked off with a look behind the scenes of the region's developing heat transition program. It's a major undertaking, driven by ambitious climate goals: a 55% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030, and complete climate neutrality by 2050. By then, the entire built environment must be natural gas-free.
That transitions like these don't always go smoothly was acknowledged openly. Local challenges, such as the well-known low-frequency noise issue in Lansingerland, were discussed, along with the tensions that sometimes arise between resident interests and climate targets.
Still, the tone remained constructive. The municipality is actively seeking collaboration with greenhouse horticulture and the wider region, exploring synergy opportunities between the built environment and the greenhouse sector.
Collaborating in the Oostland
Stijn Schlatmann from Warmte Samenwerking Oostland (WSO) presented the regional perspective. Since the energy crisis in 2022, collaboration in the Oostland region has gained serious momentum. Growers, municipalities, the province, and grid operators are now working closely together toward the development of a large-scale regional heating network.
Geothermal energy is set to play a central role, although residual heat remains an essential piece of the puzzle to make the system work efficiently.
The reality? The geothermal potential in Oostland is somewhat lower than in the Westland. However, with smart infrastructure planning and the help of available subsidies, such as the SWIG, the region is steadily building toward a resilient and future-proof heating system. It may not deliver quick wins, but it's a clear step toward sustainable progress.
© Horti Science Café
Westland lessons
Liron Duijvestijn from Trias Westland wrapped up the evening by sharing insights into how the Westland heat network is already operating. It's not your typical setup—instead, participating growers are actively involved, and after fifteen years, they even become co-owners of the network.
This model is built on trust, long-term commitment, and solid returns.
Participants have the ability to trade heat capacity among themselves, which adds flexibility and improves overall efficiency. By interconnecting multiple networks, the system not only becomes more reliable, but also creates opportunities for a heat trading platform, opening the door to a more dynamic and resilient energy market.
A look back with a sense of the future
The evening closed on an informal note with a lively networking drink. Over a good glass, participants reflected on the discussions, talking not only about potential and partnerships, but also about the real bottlenecks ahead. Because while technology matters, it's clear that trust and a sense of ownership are just as crucial.
The key takeaway? The heat transition isn't a sprint: it's a marathon. But as long as everyone keeps moving forward, we'll get there, together.
© Horti Science Café
Source: Municipality of Lansingerland
