Energy generation
As the largest energy producer in the Netherlands, we cannot ignore the fact that we are a significant contributor to emissions of harmful greenhouse gases. However, Essent takes responsibility to reduce CO2 emissions. Just like our mother company RWE and 60 other major European energy suppliers, Essent aims to generate all of its energy CO2-free by 2050. To achieve this goal, we dedicate ourselves to saving energy, even in our own company, and to making energy production sustainable.
More sustainable energy
A total of 17.3% of the energy we currently generate is sustainable (2009). Essent thus accounts for 23% of all sustainable energy produced in the Netherlands. Our goal is to have sustainable energy account for 25% of all of our energy production by 2020. We are working to raise this percentage. Spearheads for sustainable energy production primarily include wind energy and energy generation based on using a variety of organic waste and residual substances as fuel. This is referred to as biomass.
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Fossil fuels
Notwithstanding Essent’s pursuit of sustainable energy production, the reality is that we are still unable to meet our energy needs without the use of fossil fuels. We also do not accept the status quo in that respect.
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Efficient CHP plants
For example, we already make frequent use of efficient CHP plants. These primarily gas-fired power plants generate electricity and heat simultaneously, and this alone makes them significantly more efficient than conventional power plants.
Improve efficiency of conventional power plants
We also put much energy into making the use of fossil fuels in our conventional power plants more efficient, such as through the expansion project of our power plant in Maasbracht where we plan to increase the amount of energy generated from the same amount of gas. Optimised combustion will increase the efficiency of the power plant by nearly 20 percentage points and reduce CO2 emissions accordingly.
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Nuclear energy
As a climate measure, nuclear energy might be a temporary solution, but we still question whether it is really necessary. Essent is seriously investigating the possibility of (participating in) the possible construction of a second nuclear power plant in the Netherlands without taking any irreversible steps or making any major commitments. Essent considers public support a critical factor. It involves a comparative assessment of the issues of safety and radioactive waste, and the fact that nuclear energy causes no CO2 emissions.
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We continue to innovate
We consider innovation a matter of utmost importance. Much more innovation will be required in order to actually resolve climate change issues – innovation in technology, in economic usage, and in our way of thinking. We therefore continue to innovate in all respects.