Leading Events Company Switches to 100% Green Electricity from NieuweStroom
Ghent, November 19, 2024 – Easyfairs Belgium, a leading player in the Belgian events sector, has announced that starting in January 2025, operations at its four locations (Antwerp Expo, Flanders Expo, Namur Expo, and Mechelen-Brussels North) will be fully powered by 100% green electricity, a significant portion of which is supplied by energy provider NieuweStroom. This marks a major milestone in Easyfairs’ sustainability journey. In October 2021, Easyfairs signed the “Net Zero Carbon Events” pledge, committing to being carbon neutral by 2050 and halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Alain D’Haese, COO & Head of Venues at Easyfairs Belgium, states: “By choosing NieuweStroom, we are taking a major step towards a greener future and contributing to the broader energy transition in Belgium. It is one of many initiatives here at Easyfairs Belgium and throughout the entire Easyfairs Group, as detailed in our first sustainability report, published earlier this year.”
Dynamic Energy Contract
Easyfairs chose NieuweStroom because of their unique and innovative approach. Kim Van Houdt, Partner Manager at NieuweStroom, explains: “We take a different approach than traditional energy suppliers. We are transforming the sluggish energy market and making it 100% fair and transparent. Everyone understands what sustainable energy generation means, but for the energy transition, the term ‘sustainable consumption’ is just as important. Companies can save significantly on this. With our approach, Easyfairs has the freedom to benefit from the most favorable energy prices while simultaneously contributing to a more sustainable future by reducing their CO2 emissions.”
Impact on the Belgian Energy Transition
D’Haese adds: “I hope that this partnership between Easyfairs and NieuweStroom will not only be beneficial for our two companies but will also have broader implications for the Belgian energy market and serve as a source of inspiration for others. By choosing green energy and promoting sustainable energy consumption, Easyfairs plays an active role in the energy transition. This contributes to lower national energy consumption and a more sustainable energy market.”
Constant Focus on Energy Savings
In addition to the switch to 100% green energy, Easyfairs Belgium has already taken various measures to reduce its energy consumption. These include investments in LED lighting and the installation of solar panels on the roofs of its locations. Solar energy currently provides 80% of the electricity needs for Antwerp Expo and 45% for Flanders Expo. The remaining electricity will be supplied by NieuweStroom, which will also provide 100% of the electricity to Namur Expo and Mechelen-Brussels North.
D’Haese notes: “We conducted energy audits at all our locations and implemented the recommendations. This resulted, for example, in a saving of 100,000 cubic meters of gas in just one year at Flanders Expo.”
Easyfairs Belgium is undertaking sustainability actions on a very broad front. The company is reducing waste and offering sustainable options in its catering facilities. Easyfairs also encourages visitors to keep their carbon footprint as small as possible when traveling to event locations. Furthermore, the company has already installed 120 charging stations for electric vehicles across its sites.
For more information, please contact:
Alain D’Haese Kim Van Houdt COO & Head of Venues, Easyfairs Belgium Partner Manager, NieuweStroom Alain.dhaese@easyfairs.com k.vanhoudt@nieuwestroom.be +32 (0)499 86 11 83 +32 (0)477 71 10 22
About Easyfairs
Easyfairs organizes and manages events, with the goal of bringing communities together under the motto ‘Visit the future’.
Today, Easyfairs organizes around 110 leading events in 12 countries (Algeria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom). We also manage 8 event venues in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden (Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen, Namur, Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Malmö, and Stockholm).
Easyfairs wants to make the lives of its customers simpler. We increase not only the return on investment, but also the return on time invested for professional communities. How? Thanks to our all-in formulas, advanced technologies, and customer-centric approach. Our progressive, digital mindset gives these communities the opportunity to network and do business all year round.
The Easyfairs Group has 820 dedicated employees, uses the best marketing and technology tools, and develops strong brands that appeal to our stakeholder communities.
In 2024, for the sixth consecutive year, Deloitte awarded the ‘Best Managed Company’ label to Easyfairs.
Visit the future with Easyfairs and discover more at www.easyfairs.com
About NieuweStroom
NieuweStroom is an innovative energy supplier for entrepreneurs, focused on market-based energy prices, fairness, transparency, and sustainability. By offering dynamic energy contracts linked to the daily trading market, NieuweStroom enables companies to benefit from the most favorable energy prices, without hidden costs or complicated contracts.
