Zuyderland: 12 million euros invested in sustainability, with energy data as the foundation

At a glance

• Healthcare organization with nineteen care locations

• €12 million invested in making real estate more sustainable over five years

• Gas consumption trending downward toward the 2030 target (baseline year: 2018)

• Goal: all locations to be certified under the Milieuthermometer Zorg (Healthcare Environmental Thermometer) this year

• Services: strategic energy procurement, energy monitoring, energy budgeting, invoice verification, and energy consultancy

Standing out in procurement

Zuyderland came into contact with PowerQ through another healthcare organization that was already working with them. Mevissen was involved in the selection process on behalf of the healthcare organization.

"The exact mechanics of the energy procurement process are a 'black box' to me; that’s not my area of ​​expertise. However, PowerQ distinguished itself in every other aspect. They immediately brought up topics where I thought: 'This adds real value.' I strongly advocated for them on behalf of the organization: 'This is the kind of partner we need.'"

Energy data as the foundation for CO2 reduction

This year, Zuyderland aims to have all its care locations certified under the Milieuthermometer Zorg. The first two locations have already achieved certification. This process requires a vast amount of data—such as energy consumption figures, baseline years, and forecasts—which feed into tools like the Milieubarometer (Environmental Barometer).

PowerQ set up the energy monitoring system for this purpose and proactively supplies the necessary data, including forecasts for gas and electricity. "You hardly ever have to ask for anything. That proactive attitude—that is what partnership is all about."

This also makes investments measurable. For each project—sometimes valued at €2 to €3 million—Zuyderland can now track whether the theoretical payback period is actually being achieved in practice. The results are clear: gas consumption has dropped significantly compared to the 2018 baseline, electricity consumption has seen only a slight increase, and energy costs are down.

Collaborating on grid congestion and battery storage

Zuyderland also turns to PowerQ for more complex challenges. For a new facility housing 136 clients, the organization encountered grid congestion issues: only "block power" was available—a supply limited to specific hours of the day and dependent on the season—and a full grid connection proved unfeasible. The solution lay in combining battery storage with emergency power systems. PowerQ provided independent insight, evaluating the plausibility of market offers and assessing whether the battery could be deployed on the imbalance market outside the heating season to recoup operating costs.

"There is always an expert at PowerQ who understands our needs and works with us to find solutions. The range of energy-related services they provide is extensive."

Modesty suits the organization, acknowledges Mevissen. Yet the figures speak for themselves. Ultimately, the partnership with PowerQ centers on what Zuyderland needs to maintain control: expertise, a proactive approach, and an independent perspective.

Want to know what strategic energy procurement and high-quality energy data can do for your healthcare organization? The PowerQ team would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.