in South Holland — pipes hot water from a sandstone aquifer at 2,200 meters depth directly into greenhouse heating systems, replacing natural gas boilers that previously maintained growing temperatures.

 

The Netherlands is heating its greenhouses with geothermal energy — and Dutch greenhouse horticulture, which feeds 800 million people across Europe with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and flowers, is becoming one of the most energy-efficient food production systems in the world as a result.

Dutch greenhouse horticulture is an engineering marvel that defies its northern latitude. The Netherlands — at 52 degrees north, darker and colder than most agricultural regions — produces 65% of all the vegetables consumed in Western Europe, more flowers than any country except Colombia, and is the world's second-largest food exporter by value after the United States. This is achieved through heated glass greenhouses where year-round growing conditions are maintained regardless of outdoor weather. The energy requirement is enormous — Dutch greenhouses consume roughly 10% of the country's total natural gas supply.

The Westland geothermal project — serving the greenhouse district of Westland in South Holland — pipes hot water from a sandstone aquifer at 2,200 meters depth directly into greenhouse heating systems, replacing natural gas boilers that previously maintained growing temperatures. The Westland aquifer delivers water at 75 degrees Celsius at a flow rate sufficient to heat 400 hectares of greenhouse glass. Since installation, participating greenhouse operators have eliminated 95% of their natural gas use.

The Koekoekspolder and Trias Westland projects have expanded geothermal heating to Westland's neighboring greenhouse districts. Combined, Dutch greenhouse geothermal heating networks now serve over 1,500 hectares of glass — the equivalent of 2,100 football fields — growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and orchids on heat pulled from 2 kilometers underground.

Europe's salad bowl is now heated by the Earth itself.

Source: Warmtebedrijf & Trias Westland, Greenhouse Geothermal Annual Report 2024