French energy giant GDF Suez plans to invest millions of euros in sustainable energy solutions in the Netherlands involving partnerships with property investors, developers, end-users and public authorities.

The Dutch plans form part of a global investment budget of over EUR 1 bn, managing director Bas Ambachtsheer of Cofely Energy Solutions and CEO Jaap van Rijn of Colliers Netherlands told PropertyEU. GDF Suez is operating through its subsidiary, Cofely Energy Solutions.

Colliers (formerly Boer Hartog Hooft) and Cofely Energy Solutions formed a partnership 18 months ago aimed at making existing properties in the Netherlands sustainable. 'We offer our combined knowledge and expertise in the areas of energy, installation technology and property, develop sustainable energy solutions and issue energy performance guarantees,' Van Rhijn said. 'Not only do we give advice, we also provide solutions, focusing not only on a single building but also on the surrounding area. We also investigate whether entire property portfolios can be retrofitted to make them more sustainable.' He added: 'Cofely is prepared to co-invest, thereby making redevelopment possible at a time when bank financing is limited.'

GDF Suez (turnover in 2010 of EUR 84.5 bn) is one of the world's leading energy companies, with an annual research and development budget for sustainable energy solutions of EUR 200 mln.

The company aims to set up sustainable energy sources and technical installations such as heat/cold storage in combination with energy performance contracts. Cofely Energy Solutions was set up two years ago with the specific aim of making both buildings and areas environmentally sustainable. The firm has since set up major heat/cold storage facilities for three development projects in Amsterdam: Oosterdokseiland, Mahler 4 and Overhoeks.

Van Rhijn: 'The Netherlands' geographic location - with hot and cold seasons - and geological conditions make it ideally suited to such techniques and therefore a focus of this global energy giant. The Netherlands is European market leader in "greening" the built environment, which is why Cofely and Colliers are rolling out their combined expertise in Europe.'

According to Van Rhijn, GDF Suez's solid financial position means banks are prepared to finance up to 75% of the investments in heat/cold storage plants, bringing the total amount available for investment in the Dutch market to more than EUR 100 mln a year.