Amsterdam prepares for sustainable energy company
Amsterdam aims to meet one-third of its energy needs with locally produced sustainable energy by 2025. To achieve this the City of Amsterdam is setting up a sustainable energy company which, together with trade and industry, will invest in the production of sustainable energy in the city. On 19 May 2009 the mayor and aldermen commissioned a study that should generate a business plan for this sustainable energy company.
Sustainable energy production
Alderman Vos (Environment): “By also investing in sustainable energy ourselves, we will show the market that we believe in this development and that Amsterdam attaches great importance to sustainable energy production. Together with trade and industry we want to make Amsterdam the leader in sustainable energy production.”
Alderman Gehrels (Trade and Industry): “A sustainable energy company would create significant opportunities for a new innovative sector in the city. Becoming less dependent on fossil fuel energy sources is not only important in terms of climate change; it would also contribute to a healthy economic future for Amsterdam.”
Together with trade and industry and housing corporations, the sustainable energy company plans to invest in sustainable energy projects across the city. This will include solar pv and wind projects and possibly other sustainable energy projects. The company will also invest in the construction of a ‘smart grid’.
Amsterdam aims to achieve a 40% reduction in CO2 emission compared to 1990 by 2025.
The climate policy focuses on energy savings, the efficient use of fossil fuels and the production of sustainable energy. The new sustainable energy company will have an important part to play in this last respect.