“With an ongoing war in eastern Europe, less far from us than many may think, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we see that the world has not become a safer and calmer place. In our country, too, there is increasing polarisation and yes-no discussions. When it comes to climate, it seems you are for the climate if you stick yourself to a motorway, and against the climate if you take your family on holiday by plane. And when it comes to the subject of energy transition, the choice seems to be reduced to whether you are for or against nuclear power. 

With respect for all opinions, many of the challenges we face as a society are too complex to be summarised in this kind of 'all-or-nothing opposition', where arguments and nuance are just not listened to anymore. So how nice is it that our company does show nuance and colour with constructive solutions in our 'Growing Green' strategy. Even the name of our strategy is not black and white!

Flexible energy production

RWE has a positive story with increasing investments in new, green electricity generation via mainly wind and solar, but also with biomass and gas, the latter later combined with carbon capture and storage or hydrogen. In addition, with a major role for storage via batteries and the production of renewable hydrogen. We mainly emphasise the growth of investments up to 2030 in renewable energy, but those who pay attention can also see a growth in the share of investments in flexible production.

This concerns our power plants, which should provide flexible energy production in the future. After all: no new floor on the house without a solid foundation. Our power plants make a very positive contribution from all countries. Besides the good (financial) results, I myself am very proud and happy that we not only have a good strategy on paper, but that it is also becoming more and more real based on actual projects. This gives confidence to believe that we can actually realise our future ambitions in the coming years.

Future of our power plants

Dutch power plants are also essential in our company's future ambitions and also in the future power market. A great example of this is the Swentibold power plant, where we have added a new chapter after ending the EdeA joint venture in 2015 at the end of 2023. Here, the focus is no longer on supplying power to Chemelot but on long-term network support to TenneT. On this basis, lifetime extension investments will also be made in the power plant. The takeover of the Magnum power plant is also a good example of growth and future perspective and its realisation. 

And this year, the Eemshaven power plant will take the step to 50% biomass and the Amer power plant will run on 100% biomass. Moreover, we are remodelling our head office in Geertruidenberg. We are literally bringing colour and renewal to our locations and we are doing everything we can to attract young talent and nurture our employees.

Because we are and remain positive, we believe in the future and trust in ourselves in this. We understand, as the largest energy producer in the Netherlands, that it is about much more than whether or not to use nuclear energy, whether or not to use biomass and whether or not to use onshore or offshore wind turbines. We know what the energy transition entails and continue to invest in it."

‘Our energy has impact, so we use it for good.’