Economic Benefits

The construction of Bergermeer Gas Storage will create 3,300 man-years of new work of which 2,650 will be in the Netherlands. At its peak, the project will directly employ 1,200 workers on site in the Alkmaar region in the Netherlands.

Bergermeer and the Northwest European gas hub

The Netherlands is dependent on natural gas, more so than other countries in Europe. For more than half a century the production of natural gas has helped boost the economic prosperity of the Netherlands.

Following the discovery of the natural gas reservoir in Groningen in 1959, natural gas production has yielded more than EUR 200 billion for the Netherlands. Today natural gas meets more than 40 percent of the Dutch national demand for energy.

The gradual depletion of Dutch natural gas reserves, longer transportation routes and the transition to a more sustainable regime of energy management create challenges in safeguarding energy supply.

In a move to guarantee this supply, the Dutch government aims for the Netherlands to serve as the gas hub for the international transport of natural gas and as a distribution centre for Northwest Europe. This would also be economically significant due to the associated investments, innovations and trading activities.

However, the decreasing flexibility of indigenous natural gas production options means that additional gas storage facilities are needed. With the Bergermeer Gas Storage facility, we are creating a strong base for establishing the Northwest European gas hub in the Netherlands. Sufficient natural gas storage capacity guarantees security of supply and ensures the flexibility required for a properly functioning market.

The Dutch government regards Bergermeer Gas Storage as a project of national importance. Energie Beheer Nederland B.V. (EBN), participates on behalf of the Dutch State, its sole shareholder, with a 40% stake in the project.

The Energy Region

The Bergermeer Gas Storage facility is located between the city of Alkmaar and the town of Bergen, in the province of North Holland. Actively being promoted as an ‘energy region’, North Holland will benefit from Bergermeer Gas Storage as a large proportion of the EUR 800 million investment in the design and construction will be spent with suppliers and contractors in the region. Furthermore, TAQA Energy is keen to develop strong links with the local community.

TAQA is actively promoting the development of the north of North Holland as an ‘energy region’. The region will be a centre of excellence for natural gas and advanced sustainable energy technology. This knowledge industry will also attract other related activity and create employment.

Community relations

By means of the TAQA Culture Fund, we are keen to support cultural events in the region. For example, each year we sponsor more than 20 events including the annual 10-day arts event Kunst10Daagse in Bergen aan Zee.

We have also supported the Kranenburg Museum in Bergen and the Theater de Vest in Alkmaar as part of our cultural activities in the region.

But we are also happy to support educational and grassroots initiatives – including a children’s animal farm, a football team for disabled youngsters and a veteran’s rugby team. Many of these are already supported by our employees who willingly give their personal time to help in the local community.