The switch to clean energy has a lot of impact on industry in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and Vlissingen-Oost. Companies have a lot to do, but the transition also offers opportunities.
The switch affects not only the economy, but also residents, space and the environment. People play a crucial role in this transition. Not only as employees, but also as residents.
Energy Campus Zeeland
Scalda, HZ University of Applied Sciences and Dockwize have joined forces in the Energy Campus Zeeland project in order to have sufficient well-educated people with new knowledge and a sense of entrepreneurship, as well as community support.
A different way of thinking
The partners kicked off the multi-year project on Monday with a meeting at Scalda in Vlissingen. Deputies Jo-Annes de Bat and Harry van der Maas gave the official kick-off by converting their energy on a smoothie bike into a tasty and healthy drink. "Developments in the labour market and energy transition require a different way of thinking, a different way of working together," De Bat says of the project. "That Zeeland parties are joining forces is a great example. Energy Campus Zeeland should become the place where industry, education and the market come together. I am happy that we as a province can give impetus to this."
A partner in transition
Barbara Oomen, president of the Executive Board of HZ University of Applied Sciences, was also present at the kick-off. "As HZ, we want to be a partner in the transition to a sustainable Zeeland. With Energy Campus, we and our partners can develop exactly that education and set up that research that will help make Zeeland climate neutral."
According to Oomen, this involves technical challenges, such as green chemistry, sustainable raw materials and heat reuse, but also social issues. "How do we work together on the energy transition and make sure no one is left behind? We do this the HZ way: by bringing education and research together, starting in practice and always with the aim of contributing to a better world. Zeeland is increasingly becoming the energy province of the Netherlands. As HZ, we help to make that happen."
In addition to developments in education and research, there are also physical projects. These include an entrepreneurship Business Lab and a Social Impact Lab.
The Energy Campus project has received a grant of EUR 4,998,213 from the new Just Transition Fund (JTF). More cheques were awarded from the JTF on Monday. The 'VoltH2 Terneuzen' and 'VoltH2 Vlissingen' projects each received 10 million euros in funding. The money will be used for two 150 KV connections for two green hydrogen plants, one in Terneuzen and one in Vlissingen.
