Yeager Energy Expands Geothermal Footprint in Bergschenhoek: A Major Boost for Sustainable Heat in Dutch Greenhouse Horticulture
In the heart of the Netherlands’ vibrant greenhouse sector, a quiet revolution is underway. Deep beneath the fertile polders of Bergschenhoek, in the Oostland region of South Holland, Yeager Energy is accelerating its commitment to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. The company recently announced plans to expand with a second geothermal doublet — and possibly a third — at the Schreyrackseweg site in Bergschenhoek. This development builds directly on the existing successful operation (formerly Wayland Energy) and signals growing momentum in the Dutch geothermal sector, particularly for one of the country’s most energy-intensive industries: greenhouse horticulture.
This expansion comes at a critical time. Dutch greenhouses, which produce a significant portion of Europe’s vegetables, flowers, and plants, face immense pressure to decarbonize. Natural gas has long powered heating systems, but with rising energy costs, climate targets, and government incentives pushing for sustainability, geothermal energy offers a compelling alternative. Yeager Energy’s move not only addresses immediate heat demand in Oostland but also paves the way for long-term integration into district heating networks that could eventually serve residential and commercial areas.
Understanding Geothermal Energy: Harnessing Earth’s Ancient Heat
Geothermal energy is one of the most reliable forms of renewable power available. Unlike solar or wind, which depend on weather, geothermal draws from the Earth’s internal heat — residual from the planet’s formation 4.5 billion years ago and ongoing radioactive decay in the core. In the Netherlands, subsurface temperatures rise approximately 3°C for every 100 meters of depth. At 2–3 kilometers, formation water in porous sandstone or other aquifers can reach 60–90°C, ideal for heating applications.
The technology behind a typical geothermal doublet is elegant yet robust. Two wells are drilled: a production well extracts hot formation water from the reservoir, and an injection well returns the cooled water after heat has been transferred via exchangers to a closed-loop district heating network. This creates a sustainable cycle — no net water is consumed, subsurface pressure remains balanced, and risks like induced seismicity or subsidence are minimized through careful geological assessment and regulation under Dutch mining law.
In practice, a single doublet can deliver 10–30 MWth (megawatts thermal) of capacity, enough to heat thousands of households or large greenhouse clusters year-round. The process emits virtually no CO₂ or fine particles when powered by green electricity for pumps. Over its 30+ year lifespan, a well-designed system can save enormous amounts of natural gas — equivalent to the annual consumption of entire cities.
In the Dutch context, geothermal has proven itself in greenhouse horticulture for over 15 years. With dozens of operational installations nationwide, these projects have already displaced millions of cubic meters of gas and cut CO₂ emissions significantly. Yeager Energy specializes in deep geothermal, focusing on projects that deliver heat directly to end-users through efficient networks, often in partnership with cooperatives and distributors like AgroEnergy.
Yeager Energy: From Startup to Geothermal Powerhouse
Founded in 2018 by two Delft-trained mining engineers with extensive experience in large-scale energy projects, Yeager Energy has grown rapidly into a full-cycle developer and operator of geothermal systems and district heating infrastructure. Headquartered in Leiden, the company emphasizes safety, environmental responsibility, and innovation. Its mission is straightforward yet ambitious: to unlock geothermal heat on a large scale, providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy to greenhouse horticulture, the built environment, and light industry.
Yeager is a member of key industry bodies, including Geothermie Nederland, the German Geothermal Association, the European Geothermal Energy Council, and the International Geothermal Association. This international outlook positions the firm for potential expansion beyond the Netherlands.
A pivotal moment came in early 2025 when Yeager secured significant investment, enabling two strategic acquisitions: a majority stake in Aardwarmte Vogelaer and the full acquisition of Wayland Energy. These deals significantly expanded Yeager’s portfolio, adding producing assets and development projects. The Wayland acquisition, completed around March 2025, was rebranded as Yeager Energy Bergschenhoek, integrating its operations seamlessly.
Wayland Energy, founded in 2016, brought valuable assets, including an operational doublet supplying heat since 2018. The acquisition aligned perfectly with Yeager’s strategy of organic growth combined with targeted buyouts to build scale quickly.
The Existing Bergschenhoek Project: A Proven Success
The first geothermal installation in Bergschenhoek, located in the Overbuurtse Polder at Warmoeziersweg 56, has been a cornerstone of sustainable heating in the region since 2018. Operated in partnership with AgroEnergy and local greenhouse owners, it taps into a reservoir approximately 2,000 meters deep, extracting formation water at about 60°C from sandstone layers.
Key facts and figures highlight its impact:
- Capacity: Approximately 20 MWth
- Annual heat supply: Over 100,000 MWh
- Greenhouse area served: 88 hectares across 16 connected companies
- CO₂ savings: Roughly 22 kilotons per year
Heat is transferred to a district heating network and distributed to greenhouses growing a variety of crops. The cooled water is reinjected, maintaining the closed-loop system. This project has demonstrated geothermal’s reliability — providing consistent base-load heat even during harsh winters — while slashing reliance on fossil fuels.
The success of this doublet set the stage for further development. Wayland had already completed extensive preparations for a second doublet before the acquisition, including site purchase, an SDE subsidy, and installation of an electricity connection for operations.
The Expansion: Second (and Possibly Third) Doublet at Schreyrackseweg
Yeager Energy’s latest announcement marks an exciting next chapter. In addition to the existing doublet, the company will develop a second — and potentially a third — doublet on the Schreyrackseweg in Bergschenhoek, located in the Oostland region. The new site sits strategically between the greenhouse areas of Wilgenlei and Oosteindsche Polder, optimizing distribution to high-demand clusters.
Preparations inherited from Wayland Energy position the project for relatively swift progress. With permitting groundwork, subsidy approval, and grid connection already in place, drilling and surface infrastructure development can advance efficiently. While specific timelines and capacities for the new doublets have not been publicly detailed yet, similar projects in the region suggest each could add 15–25 MWth or more, depending on reservoir performance.
This expansion is no isolated effort. Oostland is the second-largest greenhouse horticulture area in the Netherlands, home to hundreds of growers producing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, flowers, and more. Heat demand here is enormous — comparable to the needs of hundreds of thousands of households — and current sustainable supply falls short. Projections indicate this gap will persist or widen as the sector grows and decarbonization accelerates.
Yeager Energy has expressed enthusiasm for bridging this divide: “The demand for sustainable heat for greenhouse horticulture exceeds the supply in the Oostland region (now and in the future) and Yeager is happy to contribute to the transition to sustainable, affordable and reliable heat for greenhouse horticulture and in the long term also the built environment.”
By scaling up locally, Yeager can achieve economies of scale, lower per-unit costs, and create a more resilient regional heating network. Future integration with other sustainable sources — such as residual industrial heat or additional renewables — could further enhance efficiency.
Broader Context: Geothermal’s Role in the Dutch Energy Transition
The Netherlands has ambitious climate goals, including phasing out natural gas in heating and achieving substantial CO₂ reductions. Greenhouse horticulture accounts for a disproportionate share of national gas consumption due to the need for year-round temperature control, CO₂ enrichment for plant growth, and humidity management.
Geothermal energy addresses these needs directly. In Westland (the largest greenhouse region), multiple projects aim for 300–500 MWth total capacity through interconnected networks. Oostland follows a similar path, with plans for regional heating infrastructure connecting growers and potentially extending to tens of thousands of homes. Six geothermal sources are already operational in Oostland, with more in development, promising hundreds of kilotons in annual CO₂ savings.
Government support through SDE subsidies, spatial planning that prioritizes heat users near resources, and regulatory oversight by the State Supervision of Mines create a favorable environment. Innovations in drilling, heat pumps for temperature boosting, and smart network management continue to improve viability.
Challenges remain, of course. High upfront drilling costs require strong financing and risk mitigation. Geological uncertainties demand thorough seismic surveys and data sharing from oil/gas legacies. Public acceptance and minimal surface disruption during construction are also priorities — Yeager emphasizes keeping nuisance to residents low.
Yet the rewards are clear: energy independence, cost stability (geothermal heat often competes favorably with gas under the “no more than otherwise” pricing principle), and environmental gains. For growers, reliable heat means better crop yields, reduced vulnerability to gas price volatility, and alignment with sustainability certifications demanded by retailers.
Economic and Environmental Benefits of the Expansion
Yeager’s Bergschenhoek expansion will amplify these benefits. Adding one or two doublets could heat dozens more hectares of greenhouses, displacing tens of millions of cubic meters of natural gas annually and cutting CO₂ by thousands of tons. In a region where heat demand mirrors that of major cities, this contributes meaningfully to national targets.
Economically, the project stimulates local activity — drilling contractors, engineering firms, and maintenance crews benefit, while growers gain competitive advantages through lower, predictable energy costs. Long-term, as networks expand, residential connections could provide affordable heating to thousands of homes without straining the electricity grid.
Yeager’s integrated approach — developing both the geothermal source and associated infrastructure — ensures efficient heat delivery from “source to front door.” Partnerships with entities like AgroEnergy demonstrate collaborative models that de-risk projects and accelerate rollout.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Geothermal Nationally and Beyond
This announcement is part of Yeager Energy’s broader vision to become a leading geothermal platform in the Netherlands and eventually Europe. With a strengthened portfolio post-acquisitions, the company is well-positioned to develop additional projects, explore new licenses, and integrate complementary technologies like heat storage or hybrid systems.
For the Oostland region, the expansion reinforces its status as a geothermal hotspot. As more doublets come online and networks interconnect, the area could achieve a critical mass of sustainable heat supply, serving as a model for other Dutch regions and international greenhouse clusters.
Conclusion: A Sustainable Future Takes Root
Yeager Energy’s decision to expand with a second doublet (and potentially a third) in Bergschenhoek is more than corporate growth — it is a tangible step toward a low-carbon future for Dutch horticulture. By leveraging proven technology, strategic acquisitions, and substantial investment, the company is helping transform heat supply from fossil-dependent to renewable and resilient.
For greenhouse growers in Wilgenlei, Oosteindsche Polder, and beyond, this means greater energy security, cost control, and environmental stewardship. For the wider community, it promises cleaner air, reduced emissions, and progress toward climate neutrality. As Yeager Energy continues to unlock the Earth’s heat, the polders of Bergschenhoek — and the Netherlands as a whole — stand to reap the rewards of sustainable, affordable warmth for generations to come.
See also: “XGS and Baker Hughes Unlock Next-Generation Geothermal Power”
In an era of energy uncertainty, projects like this remind us that solutions often lie beneath our feet. Geothermal energy, long undervalued in some circles, is emerging as a quiet powerhouse in the transition. Yeager’s expansion in Bergschenhoek is proof that with vision, investment, and technical expertise, we can build a greener tomorrow — one doublet at a time.
Source: Rob Inharme
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