As one of the Netherlands' leading tomato growers, Looye Kwekers has set an ambitious goal: achieving carbon neutrality and significantly improving energy efficiency by 2040. Reaching that target requires a fundamental transformation of the company's energy infrastructure, replacing traditional fossil-fuel-based systems with electrified alternatives capable of supporting future growth. 

To help enable this transition, Looye Kwekers partnered with Alfen to deliver the medium-voltage infrastructure needed to power the next generation of sustainable greenhouse operations. 

The Challenge 

Like many greenhouse growers, Looye Kwekers has historically relied on combined heat and power installations to meet its energy needs. While effective, these systems depend on fossil fuels and are not compatible with the company's long-term sustainability ambitions. 

To support its 2040 CO₂-neutrality target, Looye Kwekers needed to: 

• Replace ageing CHP installations with more sustainable technologies such as heat pumps.
• Transition greenhouse lighting systems to grid-powered LED solutions.
• Prepare for a major 60 MW grid connection upgrade with network operator Liander.
• Ensure sufficient electrical capacity for future expansion across multiple greenhouse locations.
• Minimise project risk by working with a partner already familiar with the site's infrastructure and operational requirements.

The Solution 

Building on a partnership spanning more than a decade, Alfen was selected to provide a complete turnkey medium-voltage solution. 

The project includes: 

• A walk-in medium-voltage substation serving as the central power hub.
• Six Diabolo 40H compact substations, each equipped with a 2,500 kVA transformer.
• A Sicuro 116 generator switch for safe and reliable power management.
• Installation of all medium-voltage cabling and associated infrastructure.
• Complete engineering, installation, commissioning, and project coordination.

A Long-Term Partnership 

The project builds on a relationship that extends back more than ten years. 

Over that period, Alfen has installed more than 20 transformer substations across Looye Kwekers' greenhouse locations in Naaldwijk and Burgerveen. This long-term knowledge of the sites helped streamline engineering and implementation, reducing project complexity and supporting a smooth commissioning process. 

Preparing for the Future 

The new infrastructure forms the electrical backbone for Looye Kwekers' next phase of growth and sustainability. 

A planned 60 MW grid connection from Liander, expected from 2026 onward, will provide the capacity required to further electrify operations and accelerate the transition away from fossil-fuel-based energy systems. 

With the medium-voltage infrastructure already in place, Looye Kwekers is well positioned to integrate: 

• Large-scale heat pump systems.
• Grid-powered LED greenhouse lighting.
• Additional low-emission technologies.
• Future greenhouse expansion projects.