Self-supply plus contracts have been possible since 2024, initially only for companies and municipalities and from 2026 also for private individuals. That particular party generates its own renewable power for its own use (self-supply) and what is additionally needed (the plus) comes - in this case - from Zon op Alphen. Until now, Zon op Alphen sold its sustainably generated energy to energy companies. The new Energy Act now also allows it to sell the power directly to other customers.

Last summer, Sun on Alphen|closedto about this for the first time a self-supply contract with a company, Ponsioen Installatie Techniek. Now the agreement with the PWA Bath is being added. The aim of both organisations is to bring together local production of sustainable energy (by Zon op Alphen) and local purchase of sustainably produced energy (by the PWA Bad). Through Zelflevering+, the swimming pool will have a direct link to the Rijnvicus solar park. The more power the parties share, the more advantageous this is usually. The cooperative energy supplier to|new energy handles administration and billing.

Sustainable swimming pool installations

The PWA Bad board, in collaboration with the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn, is implementing a comprehensive sustainability programme of the swimming pool facilities. The municipality is on the books as the owner of the pool, while the PWA Bad Foundation has been operating the pool for more than 30 years. It does so exclusively with volunteers who selflessly devote themselves to the pool, which is a household name in the village of Koudekerk aan den Rijn, but certainly also in the wider area. The open-air pool is usually open every year from May to August.

After a few years of preparation, the implementation of the PWA Bath's sustainability work started in late 2023. Six heat pumps have now been installed and the installations modernised. With that, the electricity connection was not yet sufficient. In 2024, the swimming water was therefore heated with two heat pumps and a gas boiler. In 2025, the connection was upgraded and the gas could finally be shut off. The swimming water is now heated entirely with heat pumps electrically.

Next spring, the foundation and the municipality will conclude the sustainability operation by installing solar panels. The swimming pool facilities will then initially use sustainably generated electricity from its own panels. If there is a shortage - on a rainy day, for example - the organisation will make use of the contract with Zon op Alphen|.to. Self-supply+ is a very good solution for the PWA Bath, says chairman Jorrit Wulffers of the PWA Bath Foundation. “It feels right to buy the electricity we need but do not generate ourselves from a party whose aim is to generate energy sustainably. The price is also favourable, which is important for us. This allows us to keep entry prices low. This completes the circle.”

Directors of PWA Bad Foundation and Zon op Alphen sign the Self-Delivery+ agreement. From left to right Wim van Aken (secretary Zon op Alphen), Jorrit Wulffers (chairman PWA Bad Foundation), Stef Strik (chairman Zon op Alphen) and Werner Stolk (secretary PWA Bad Foundation).

Just before the turn of the year, the Self-delivery+ contract was signed by chairman Jorrit Wulffers and secretary Werner Stolk (PWA pool) and on behalf of Zon op Alphen|to by chairman Stef Strik and secretary Wim van Aken.

Sunshine in Alphen

Zon op Alphen is an initiative of the local energy cooperative Energiek Alphen aan den Rijn. In 2019, the construction of three solar parks with a total of over 2,200 solar panels was realised (GC Zeegersloot, Rijnvicus-Oost and Rijnvicus-West). For this purpose, certificates were sold to some 150 participants (mainly residents but also some companies from the municipality) at the time. Together, they own the plants, generating some 560,000 kWh of sustainable energy annually. This is equivalent to the electricity consumption of about 225 households. Zon op Alphen|to aims to sign self-supply contracts with more companies by 2026.

Photo above
From left to right Wim van Aken (secretary Zon op Alphen), Stef Strik (chairman Zon op Alphen), Jan-Willem Bos (installations PWA Bad), Jorrit Wulffers (chairman PWA Bad Foundation), Werner Stolk (secretary PWA Bad Foundation), Marjolein van der Ven (communication PWA Bad) and Erik de Ruijter (treasurer Zon op Alphen).