talking this Monday with Energeia explaining the last week presented social report
about horticulture for the year 2011.
The report uses the figures in the chapter about energy, from last year December
published energy monitor of the Wageningen research institute LEI. The results of 2011 are only expected at the end of this year, but Pinxterhuis already has some idea about what the year looked like.
From the report by LEI it appears that in 2010 the consumption of durable energy
increased by 1.6%, far below the objective of 4%. Also the ambition of 20% durable energy by 2020 appears to be unattainable. The sector, however, improved its energy efficiency by 2% in 2010, which is in accordance with the agreement. Nevertheless the Productschap Tuinbouw write in its durability report now: "The high ambitions for 2020 remain fully in force."
Pinxterhuis wants to describe the tone of the report as follows: The sector has a large number of appointments to become more durable. Now the sector is slowly getting ahead on various points and as a result the glasshouse horticulture becomes more durable. But large changes, one will not see in these times."
Especially the lack of investments in new glasshouses decrease the durability results, as per Pinxterhuis. "The economic crisis has damaged the investment rhythm. Horticulturists receive prices which are too low for their products. They are waiting with building new for financially better times. "Of course one may also improve existing glasshouses with, for instance, the New cultivation, Pinxterhuis agrees. "But the important innovative steps would have to be taken in building new."
Pinxterhuis hears alarming reports from the branch association for building glasshouses AVAG. "They tell that the market for new building was at an all time low." The AVAG was not available this Monday to confirm this statement, although the statement that AVAG put forward last year, that especially 2010 would be a very bad year for glasshouse builders and that the market would improve slightly in 2011, is clear.
The LEI was not available this Monday in order to give insight in the energy figures for 2011.
Souce: Energeia.nl