GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord: budget certainty for over fifteen years, with energy costs totalling nearly 2 million euros

At a glance

• Partnership since 2009

• Energy costs: nearly €2 million per year

• 100% green electricity

• Services: strategic energy procurement, annual budget forecasting, invoice verification, energy monitoring, and energy consultancy

From direct purchasing to a procurement strategy

At the time, GGZ NHN purchased its energy directly from a supplier, without a purchasing group or intermediary. Through the healthcare network, the organization came into contact with PowerQ, which was then establishing a purchasing collective for healthcare institutions. The approach appealed to them: a driven team with a clear strategy based on staggered purchasing and risk management. "We joined forces to see how it would go. In terms of procurement strategy, it has always gone well."

Direct lines of communication and a partnership of equals

According to Van der Werf, the fact that the partnership has lasted over fifteen years has much to do with PowerQ’s size and culture. "PowerQ is a relatively small organization. That means you have direct lines of communication. If there are questions, or if something doesn't go quite right, you speak directly to the right people. That is very pleasant."

For him, that sense of equality is a deliberate choice when selecting any partner: "You want to be important to your supplier, and for your supplier to be important to you. That way, you are operating as equals in the partnership." The results backed up that trust: compared to how other healthcare institutions purchased their energy, GGZ NHN performed very well.

Budget certainty for a substantial energy budget

PowerQ prepares the annual budget forecast for GGZ NHN, including heat supply via the district heating network and the impact of sustainability measures such as heat pumps and thermal energy storage (TES) systems. This ensures the organization knows exactly where it stands when preparing the budget, even when market conditions shift.

"We are dealing with nearly 2 million euros annually. That is a significant amount of money. It is reassuring to know the figures are as accurate as possible—and they are."

Invoice verification provides peace of mind

In addition, PowerQ verifies all invoicing on an annual basis. Any discrepancies are identified and resolved with the energy supplier. "This gives peace of mind to the team members responsible for approving these invoices; they don't have to spend time scrutinizing every detail to ensure accuracy."

Advice whenever needed

GGZ NHN purchases 100% green electricity and has made significant strides in sustainability in recent years, including installing solar panels at its own facilities. Beyond standard services, the organization regularly engages PowerQ for specific advisory projects. For instance, they are currently exploring whether batteries could play a role in emergency power systems and determining if there is a viable business case for doing so. This ensures that sustainability initiatives remain grounded in feasibility and financial logic.

More than fifteen years later, the core of the partnership remains unchanged: disciplined strategic energy procurement, budget certainty, and an equal partnership characterized by direct, open communication.

Would you like to know what strategic energy procurement could mean for your healthcare institution? The PowerQ team would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.