COÖPERATIE BLIJSTROOM U.A.

300 members. Established in 2014

Watching the energy transition in real-time at one of our communal solar roofs. - © FFH / Frank Hanswijk

A business plan to…

Our business plan will lay the foundation for a just and equal energy transition in de Agniesebuurt in Rotterdam. Other neighborhoods in Rotterdam North, also covered by our energy cooperative, will adapt the model to their specific needs. Most initiatives for energy communities are concerned with more privileged neighborhoods. Rotterdam is poorer and less privileged compared to the Dutch median. Agniesebuurt fares worse than the Rotterdam average. Blijstroom Rotterdam's oldest energy cooperation has a history of involving economically disadvantaged residents. This is not charity but rather an essential component of a successful energy transition. We aim to develop an approach enabling meaningful participation for residents of comparable neighborhoods in dozens of Dutch cities.

Impact in the community

We are part of a national and European surge in community-driven sustainable heat projects. While we work and live in an underprivileged urban area, we share challenges with other initiatives. Stakeholders at all levels see the importance of meeting the challenge. Thus, any successful solution that is part of the larger problem will be quickly shared and adapted. This larger iterative process will eventually result in economically feasible sustainable heating networks.

Find out more about this energy community