To keep the overloaded electricity grid in the Dutch city of Utrecht running reliably, grid operators Stedin and TenneT have chosen to deploy gas generators. These units can step in to produce and feed extra power into the grid whenever needed. The decision has raised eyebrows, not least in the greenhouse sector, after all, such generators are often found on growers' premises.
Chrysanthemum grower Wouter Duijvesteijn of Beyond Chrysant shared his thoughts on LinkedIn (link in Dutch) in response to the news, writing: "From greenhouse to emergency generator: how Utrecht lost the power of horticulture." He described the move as "an expensive, fossil-based stopgap," pointing out that the greenhouse industry has been managing energy flows far more intelligently for decades. His key message was clear: when greenhouse production disappears, we don't just lose crops, we also lose a vital link in the energy transition. His post struck a chord, receiving strong support from across the sector.
