Rotterdam, city of energy transition

Rotterdam’s ecosystem

The combination of the port, the energy and petrochemical clusters, specialist studies and courses relating to energy transition and sustainability at renowned institutes like TU Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam UAS, STC Group, Techniek College Rotterdam, related activities of NGOs and research institutes all together make for a unique ecosystem in the field of the energy transition.

The Rotterdam energy ecosystem can be spread over two components. First, there are businesses and systems which manage the energy supply for the city and region on land such as power plants, suppliers, network operators, and businesses which design, develop, supply or install sustainable energy sources and energy-saving measures in and around the built environment. In relation to the energy transition in this built environment, it mainly involves sustainable electricity, natural gas free heat supply and new energy systems.

Then, there is the port and industrial complex. The businesses and activities in this cluster are part of the global energy market and contribute to the import, export and production of energy for heavy industry. In line with European and national climate targets, Rotterdam wants to be carbon neutral in 2050. To achieve this, the focus is on carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS), hydrogen, wind at sea, efficient (re)use of energy and resources, and electricity.

Government investment and special programmes

A successful energy transition will require unwavering commitment, perseverance, innovative power, courage, cooperation, knowledge exchange and experimentation. All of which come together in Rotterdam. The local Rotterdam government is investing heavily in the energy transition, based on the principle that the energy transition must be affordable for all Rotterdam residents and that measures for energy transition and climate adaptation must stimulate employment in the sectors in transition. Special budgets and programmes (including the sustainability transition budget, the energy transition fund, energy transition loans, climate tables) stimulate innovation, essential for a successful transition.

Cooperation is key

While the Netherlands is internationally renowned for its consensus decision-making, we can certainly describe Rotterdam in terms of cooperation, enterprise and experimentation. Government, businesses and entrepreneurs, knowledge and research institutions work closely and actively together on important innovations to achieve ambitions relating to energy transition, digitalisation and circularity. The ‘triple helix’ here is not a paper model; it is the essence of progress, revealed in special facilities, hubs, programmes and partnerships which accelerate the energy transition. Concrete examples include the Rotterdam Offshore Wind Coalition, the PortXL programme, the Smart Energy Systems Programme (SES), the Human Capital Coalition Energy Transition and UP!Rotterdam.

Design, Develop, Deliver

The specific Rotterdam situation and the special ecosystem create special business opportunities for the region. Rotterdam is the place where people can invent, develop and test solutions and introduce them on the market (Design, Develop, Deliver). A unique environment and why many international (starting and growing) entrepreneurs choose Rotterdam as the springboard to their future. Increasingly, we see that this is related to the energy transition, digitalisation and the development of a circular economy. Port XL is a good example of this. The seventh edition of this annual innovation programme for international start-ups in the maritime and offshore sector started in September 2022. The aim of this programme is to help innovative start-ups develop their decarbonisation solutions and find partners and clients.

Leading international congresses and events

Confirmation that the world looks to Rotterdam as an important player in the energy transition is also found in the leading, international energy-related congresses and events which take place in the city. In 2022 and 2023, Rotterdam hosted World Hydrogen Summit, the leading global platform for hydrogen-related activities. This event will return to Rotterdam in May 2024. September 6 & 7 2023, Recharge Earth will take place at Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre. The theme of this year’s edition is ‘Renew – Reduce – Rethink’. In April 2024 Rotterdam will host the World Energy Congress. This is the flagship event of the World Energy Council, the world’s oldest independent platform of energy leaders and practitioners. The theme will be ‘Redesigning Energy for People and Planet’.

Transition guides innovation in all sectors

The energy transition is a sector-overarching theme, which forces businesses in all sectors to think about their processes, products and services, impact, purpose and the role they want to play in the world. The energy transition thus guides innovation tasks in the energy cluster, but also in other sectors in which Rotterdam performs so well, including Maritime, Transport & Logistics, Agri & Food, Life Sciences & Health, IT & Tech. Digitalisation, circularity and renewable or clean energy are essential resources which facilitate the transition. The urgency behind the energy transition, the special ecosystem and Rotterdam’s characteristic resolve and collaborative and active approach mean that there are many opportunities in this metropolitan area for established businesses to invest in the future, and for start-ups and scale-ups working on innovative technologies and solutions.