The company has now begun looking for parties that have knowledge and expertise of geothermal energy production and the first of these is ECW Geoholding. In mid-2021, the first talks between Ennatuurlijk and ECW Netwerk began to take over its division, ECW Geoholding.

ECW Geoholding is a leader in the field of geothermal energy in the Netherlands. The company has proven both technically and commercially that it can develop geothermal energy together with its customers and shareholders (professional horticultural organisations). For Ennatuurlijk, ECW Geoholding offers a unique opportunity to take over a fine customer group in addition to 25 colleagues with very specific knowledge and skills. Ennatuurlijk is looking forward to develop geothermal energy together with them in the Andijk and Middenmeer regions, but also in the rest of the Netherlands.

Ernst Japikse, general manager of Ennatuurlijk, said: "By taking over ECW Geoholding, I expect that we can accelerate the ambition of ECW Geoholding and that of Ennatuurlijk in the field of geothermal energy. ECW Geoholding has processes, systems and knowledge that Ennatuurlijk still needs to develop. The employees of ECW Geoholding have set up an amazing foundation and show how well they can do this. Together with our strength and scale, we will ensure that the potential of geothermal energy is optimally developed and utilised."

Robert Kielstra, general manager of ECW Netwerk, added: "ECW Geoholding has entered the next phase. We see that the demand for geothermal energy is rising sharply and by joining with Ennatuurlijk we will be able to further roll out our knowledge and expertise. It has the potential to turn the ‘local hero' that ECW Geoholding is now into a ‘national hero' in the field of geothermal energy. That offers certainty and opportunities for our employees and customers."

With the acquisition of ECW Geoholding Ennatuurlijk expects to be able to accelerate its own objectives in the field of geothermal energy. ECW Geoholding has proven processes and systems that Ennatuurlijk would otherwise have to develop itself. It has already gone through a learning curve that Ennatuurlijk can benefit from.

After the takeover, the first priority will be to allow ECW Geoholding to operate remotely and independently from Ennatuurlijk so that existing projects and developments can continue. However, further integration may follow later allowing the geothermal plans of Ennatuurlijk and ECW Geoholding to become more intertwined.

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