Leading Green and Innovative Investments in the Netherlands
Ballast Nedam, a company with a 147-year history, is renowned for its environmentally friendly and energy-efficient projects. With expertise in waste management and groundbreaking designs, the company has become a key player in the sector. Since its rebirth under the Rönesans Holding umbrella in 2015, Ballast Nedam has been at the forefront of Europe's most innovative and sustainable projects.The Netherlands is a global pioneer in environmental and sustainability initiatives. Many of the world's most innovative approaches in this field originate from the Netherlands. As an early supporter of the Paris Agreement, the country has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 49% by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Guided by its climate legislation, all new projects in the Netherlands are developed in alignment with these principles. Cities are introducing zero-emission zones, and every step taken aligns with sustainability criteria.
One of the most crucial steps is investment in renewable energy. In the Netherlands, a leader in wind energy technology, a substantial portion of electricity is now generated from wind farms. Similarly, solar panels are commonly installed on the roofs of suitable homes and in fields. Most industrial facilities feature rooftops fitted with solar panels.
The Netherlands is also a global leader in waste management, achieving an 80% recycling rate and aiming for a fully circular economy by 2050. Despite being at risk of flooding and having limited agricultural land, the country excels in advanced farming practices and leads in vertical farming and greenhouse technologies. Bicycle usage in both urban and rural areas significantly surpasses global averages, with dedicated bike paths found throughout. I mention these characteristics to highlight the context of the projects undertaken by Ballast Nedam, which I had the opportunity to visit last week.
Founded in 1877, Ballast Nedam has completed iconic structures, advanced engineering infrastructure and superstructure projects, social housing, wind turbines, dikes, and bridges. With its 147-year history, the company has been part of Rönesans Holding, one of Europe's top 10 largest construction companies, since 2015.
Rönesans Holding, through its subsidiary Ballast Nedam, continues to deliver Europe's greenest projects. Ballast Nedam plays a significant role in driving Rönesans Holding's sustainability-focused growth and supports its investments and operations abroad.
We explored three distinct engineering and environmental projects that demonstrate their impact, which I will outline in detail.
Emission-Free Dike Construction
One of Ballast Nedam's notable projects is the ‘Rijnkade Dike Reinforcement.’ As widely known, a significant portion of the Netherlands lies below sea level and is at risk of flooding. Over 1,500 kilometres of dikes are being reinforced to protect the country from floods. In the Arnhem region, a 1.2-kilometre-long section of the Rijnkade dike is being strengthened. This project is being carried out entirely using sustainable and emission-free construction methods. Materials for the construction are transported via waterways, and terraces are being built to enhance the quality of life for local residents. Once completed in 2025, this dike will protect the area from flooding for the next 100 years.
The Greenest Social Housing Project
Just 40-50 minutes away from Amsterdam lies the IJburg Bay social housing district. Unfortunately, social housing is often associated with districts like Fikirtepe in İstanbul. However, Amsterdam's social housing district provides a strikingly beautiful contrast, offering a visual feast for the eyes. One standout project in this area is Jonas, a prime example of Ballast Nedam's sustainable and futuristic real estate investments. Spanning 29,950 square metres with 273 apartments, the Jonas Project takes its name from the story of 'Jonah and the Whale.’ The building is impressive both inside and out. Situated right by the water, the structure resembles a fish skeleton from a distance, with its wooden and zinc facade evoking the appearance of a canyon inside. The building stands out with its insulation, soundproofing, and the serene atmosphere it creates. It incorporates materials such as zinc, FSC-certified wood, and eco-friendly green concrete. The rooftop features an ornamental pool and terrace gardens. Every detail has been carefully considered to accommodate both individuals living alone and families with children. Additionally, all construction waste has been fully recycled. The architects have provided detailed insights into the project. Awarded the BREEAM Excellent Certificate, this building is currently the most sustainable social housing project in the Netherlands.
Wind Turbines Installed on Water
Windplanblauw is situated on IJsselmeer, a freshwater lake that was historically part of the North Sea until it was closed off in 1932 by a dyke. We had the opportunity to see the wind turbines built on this lake up close by boat.Ballast Nedam has replaced the old turbines here, installing 24 modern, eco-friendly wind turbines. This project is of great importance to the Netherlands as investments in this area have significantly contributed to the country's transition away from fossil fuel consumption. Moreover, each newly installed turbine generates approximately 6 megawatts of power, making them far more efficient than the older models. This site showcases one of the finest examples of innovative water engineering worldwide.
"Building Climate-Resilient Systems"
Rönesans Holding Chair İpek Ilıcak Kayaalp shared insights about their largest European subsidiary, Ballast Nedam, and their upcoming projects. "Since 2015, we have consistently ranked among the top 50 construction companies worldwide and the top 10 in Europe. Our largest European subsidiary is Ballast Nedam. Today, we are operating in 33 countries. To date, we have completed projects valued at 40 billion Euros abroad, reinvesting the resources generated from these projects back into Türkiye. We have successfully completed dozens of investment projects in Türkiye with a total value of 8 billion Euros. We have facilitated approximately 2 billion Euros in direct foreign investment and 4 billion Euros in foreign financing for Türkiye. In the next five years, we anticipate that the total investment amount we achieve in Türkiye will exceed 12 billion Euros, with direct foreign investment reaching 2.5 billion Euros and foreign financing approaching 7 billion Euros. We collaborate with multinational partners such as IFC, Meridiam, Samsung, and TotalEnergies. The world is rapidly changing, and we are undertaking sustainable investments everywhere. We are focusing on establishing systems based on clean and renewable energy sources that are resilient to the climate crisis. We aim to achieve 100% carbon-neutral construction sites by 2030 and energy-neutral construction by 2040.
Last month, we successfully issued a 350 million US dollar Sustainable Eurobond, a first in our sector in Türkiye. Green energy production is also a critical focus for us. We have made significant progress in this area and currently meet approximately 47% of our electricity needs from renewable sources.”
Source: Elif Ergu Demiral / Gazete Oksijen