Article Ondernemen 010: Paving ways for a Sustainable Solar Energy Power Solution - Broekman Logistics
close

ARTICLE Ondernemen 010: Broekman Logistics is paving ways for a Sustainable Solar Energy Power Solution

News

A recent visit from Councillor Chantal Zeegers to our breakbulk terminal at Heijplaat sparked a feature by Ondernemen 010, highlighting the promising opportunities we’re exploring in collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam to integrate solar energy solutions.

Sustainable Solar Energy Power Solution

Based in Rotterdam, Broekman Logistics has been exploring options to install solar panels on their roof, engaging with the Rotterdam municipality for guidance. This collaboration provided help with feasibility studies, potential subsidies, and even a visit from a local councillor! Broekman Logistics has been a key player in logistics services for over 60 years, specialising in industrial, machinery and chemicals. At their Heijplaat site, the company aims to embrace sustainability and generate its own energy using solar panels. Sustainability Manager Fabienne Struijs and Fleet Manager Kees van de Vrie discuss the progress of this initiative and the municipality’s contribution.

Multiple Options

Kees van de Vrie explains: “At Heijplaat, we handle storage and transshipment of various non-containerised goods. This involves project logistics and consolidation—combining large and small components delivered in various ways, and then transporting the assembled results further. On the site, we have four halls totalling 15,000 square metres and a 4,500-square-metre assembly warehouse built in the ’90s. When we started considering sustainability for our company, I got in touch with Olivier Noorduyn from the Servicepunt Zon, the municipal department promoting solar energy. The municipality aims to make the port of Rotterdam the greenest in the world, and we are keen to contribute. We plan to install solar panels on our warehouse roof to generate our own energy. I attended several meetings and consultations, and the municipality advised us on the right approach. After some calculations, we realised that we could install solar panels, but not cover the entire roof. That would generate too much power, which would be wasted during peak times, as there’s no favourable policy for feeding excess power back. There are more options to explore, however. We could potentially sell electricity to other businesses or collaborate on a local energy hub. Purchasing a battery is also an option. We are continuing with further electrification of our building and vehicles. We’ve already installed LED lighting, and two of our three water-side cranes, as well as our four overhead cranes, are electric. We’re upgrading our central power supply and working on shore power for the ships that dock with us. We hope to be entirely electric and self-sufficient in about eight years.”

More Than Numbers and Money

A Sustainable Solution

“The advice isn’t final yet, so no decisions have been made,” Fabienne explains, “we’re still calculating the exact cost. In the most realistic scenario, the payback period for our plans is about six to eight years. But if we invest more, for example in more electric vehicles and local energy storage, it could be quicker. It’s a booming business; there are many providers, and some promise the moon. But we remain focused on our specific needs at this location. Another important factor is the impact we want to have. Having fewer diesel engines running on-site immediately creates a more pleasant work environment for our staff. The municipality is also helping us explore subsidy opportunities, both locally and provincially, which might also encourage our neighbours to join a local energy hub. Councillor Chantal Zeegers visited at the end of August to discuss the solar panels case. It was primarily an informational visit to understand firsthand what the municipality can do for us, and what we can do for Rotterdam.”

Broekman Project Services luchtfoto 2021

Advice, Not an Obligation

“The final advice from the municipality won’t be mandatory,” says Kees. “We appreciate the tremendous support and additional expertise we receive, but the decision is ours to make. Solar panels are definitely happening. Our next step is to adjust the fire-resistant layers on our roof next year, which is necessary before we can install the panels. We’re still negotiating with our insurer to ensure everything remains compliant. We’ve agreed that Councillor Zeegers will return for a celebratory moment when the panels are installed. We’re pleased that the municipality is cooperative and can offer solid advice. It strengthens our commitment to sustainability and our dream of becoming a future-proof business less dependent on geopolitical fluctuations.”

This article is written by Ondernemen 010, an initiative from the Municipality of Rotterdam. Please read the Dutch version of the article here: Broekman Logistics: onderweg naar een veilig en rendabel zonnedak   | Ondernemen010

Contact our Sustainability Expert

Fabienne Struijs

+31683413394