This week, Dutch ICMIF member Achmea has activated 3200 solar panels which have been installed above the parking lot of the company’s offices in Apeldoorn (Netherlands). This new installation, which has been added to 600 solar panels already present at the site bringing the total number of panels to 4000, will provide the company’s office in Apeldoorn with 15% of its electricity supply.
Construction of the carport with its solar panels started in October last year. Theo Peters from Achmea’s Facility Service Centre said: “The realization of solar panels on roofs and as a carport fits in with Achmea’s vision: to be completely climate neutral by 2030. The solar panels of the carport generate around 925,000 kilowatt hours per year, equivalent to the consumption of 250 households. In addition, 30 charging points have been installed within the parking area for electric cars with a simultaneous load capacity of 700kW. “
Climate neutral operations by 2030
Achmea is working towards an ambitious sustainability plan that will lead to the company having climate-neutral business operations by 2030.
Achmea actively participates in local and regional networks and seeks innovative opportunities together with suppliers as part of this journey towards climate neutrality. Apeldoorn is one of the five core locations of Achmea and there are also plans to accelerate sustainability initiatives for the other core locations. For example, work is underway elsewhere on a geothermal connection to geothermal energy and a ‘green roof’ was installed on the roof of the building at the Tilburg office last year.
Achmea and other brands within the Achmea group are now offering new services to their customers to help them live more sustainable lives and to actually make doing this more convenient and straightforward for them. One such example is Achmea’s brand Centraal Beheer which has partnered with a trusted solar panel company in the Netherlands to help customers learn about the costs and how to go about installing solar panels on their roof. The Interpolis brand helps customers with advice on how to install a green roof which reduces the risk of water damage to properties; increases the life of a roof; and improves the insulation of the house in the winter as well as helping with air purification and increasing biodiversity.
