Geothermal energy in the Bleiswijk region

Bleiswijk II & III — sustainable heat for greenhouse horticulture in South Holland

In the Bleiswijk & Berkel en Rodenrijs geothermal cluster, Gaia Energy is developing several geothermal projects together with 85 Degrees and IPS permit holders. In 2024, five drillings were successfully carried out, achieving three doublets, and with recent achievements such as Verweijweg, we provide sustainable heat to greenhouse companies in the area. With additional permit applications, we are focusing on further scaling up sustainable heat extraction in Bleiswijk, Berkel and Rodenrijs and later Bergschenhoek.

Bleiswijk Geothermal Cluster: cooperation and realization

The Bleiswijk area is an important geothermal cluster in South Holland, where work has been underway for years to use geothermal energy for greenhouse horticulture. The starting permit for the old Bleiswijk field was recently split into two parts: Bleiswijk II and Bleiswijk III, with license holders IPS Geothermal Energy B.V. and 85 Degrees Renewable B.V. for both areas.

Gaia Energy acts as the contractor and operator of the drilling and realisations, and works closely with the permit holders to successfully develop these projects.

Five holes & three doublets in production

In 2024, a total of five drillings were carried out and completed by IPS in the Bleiswijk search area, spread over various locations. This led to the realization of three doublets, each consisting of a production well and an injection well:

• Bleiswijk II: VDB-GT-101 (1 bore)
• Bleiswijk 1b: VDB-GT-05 and VDB-GT-06 (2 holes)
• Zoetermeer I: VDB-GT-07 and VDB-GT-08 (2 holes)

These three systems have been successfully completed and are an important step towards the production of geothermal energy in the area.

One of the most recent achievements, now in a test phase, concerns the Verweijweg location, where production will be carried out from mid-April 2026 and the first heat will be supplied to connected customers.

Heat for greenhouse horticulture and further expansion

With the wells built, Gaia Energy supplies sustainable heat to the greenhouse companies in the Bleiswijk area. Geothermal energy provides a continuous, low-CO₂ heat source that contributes to making greenhouse horticulture more sustainable and helps gardeners to decouple from fossil fuels, such as gas, in their heat demand.

In line with the ambition to further develop the area, the consortium applied for another (modified) starting permit in January for additional drilling near the Petuniaweg. With this new phase, we want to further exploit the potential of the Bleiswijk cluster and add extra capacity to provide even more heat to regional customers.

Gaia Energy: realization and operation

Gaia Energy has realized several projects in the Bleiswijk area and acts as a contractor and operator for drilling and exploitation. In this role, we not only ensure the technical realization but also the safe and efficient use of the geothermal systems in the longer term.

With the combined expertise of permit holders and Gaia Energy as contractor, we are building a robust, sustainable heat supply for greenhouse horticulture in the municipality of Lansingerland (South Holland).

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