NEF: The Lowlands of the energy and mobility transition
On June 19, 2025, Groningen will once again become the vibrant hub of the energy and mobility transition during New Energy Forum. This unique event, now in its fifth year, is much more than a traditional conference. It's the most unique energy festival in the Northern Netherlands – or as Charles van Santvoord, member of the program council for New Energy Coalition, aptly puts it: “The Lowlands among energy and mobility transition events.”
Meet, experience and above all DO!
What sets New Energy Forum apart is its unique combination of content, connection, and experience. The festival bears the telling subtitle "Breaking Barriers." It's about breaking through rigid patterns and investment structures. The goal? To jointly build new value chains and solutions for a sustainable future. And all of this in a relaxed atmosphere where fun and inspiration go hand in hand.
Visitors can expect surprises from keynote speakers, interactive sessions, demonstrations, and panel discussions. The heart of the festival is a large circus tent dedicated to DO!ers – the place where action takes center stage. But the festival grounds offer more. There are various themed tents, each with its own distinct focus: Citizen (Initiatives), Knowledge & Innovation, and Talent of the Future. This creates a rich palette of meeting places, each with its own unique character.
From idea to action
The 2025 anniversary edition has a clear motto: DO IT! According to Charles, it's time not just to make plans, but above all to show, experience, and take action together. "Long-term research remains essential, but above all, we must simply get started," he emphasizes.
One of Charles' highlights is the NEF Rap, where rapper Rico van Opgezwolle will compose a circular rap with students. But whether you're immersed in a VR experience or pitch in at one of the demos yourself, it's all about experiencing, participating, and returning home with a fresh perspective.
New Energy Forum is an interesting mix of lighthearted and serious. It combines the atmosphere of a festival with the content of a Forum. This makes it a party where everyone is welcome, where we inspire each other and encourage action.
- Marcel Koenis – Program Council Member Entrance
Five years of New Energy Forum
New Energy Forum has since established a strong presence in the north of the Netherlands, but its origins were smaller. Five years ago, the festival emerged from an initiative by Entrance, which previously organized the TransFuture Festival. With the ambition to further grow and broaden the event, New Energy Coalition joined as a co-organizer. Together with Hive.Mobility, the network for sustainable mobility, as a third partner, the foundation was laid for what has since become the premier festival for energy and mobility professionals.
Charles emphasizes that this collaboration is crucial to the forum's success: "From the start, we wanted to create an event that brings together the entire triple helix—businesses, knowledge institutions, and government. It's become much broader now. Everyone interested in a sustainable future is welcome and can contribute."
With its anniversary year in sight, New Energy Forum is not only a meeting place for the region, but also a showcase for the whole of the Netherlands and beyond, where knowledge, inspiration, and action come together.
At Hive.Mobility, we believe collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential for making mobility more sustainable, smarter, and future-proof. New Energy Forum is a unique platform for showcasing innovations, exchanging ideas, and taking concrete steps toward the mobility of the future. That's why we're eager to actively contribute to organizing this inspiring event. Together, we're striving for a livable future.
- Jasper van der Velde – Program Council Member Hive.Mobility
Inclusive and inspiring
New Energy Forum is accessible and informal. Everyone is welcome at this free event. Businesses, knowledge institutions, government agencies, and anyone interested in energy, mobility, and sustainability will meet here on an equal footing. This accessibility contributes to surprising conversations, new connections, and unexpected insights.
The festival also offers ample opportunity for customized events. Visitors can create their own program and explore a wide range of themes, from circularity and sustainable mobility to entrepreneurship in the energy transition and the built environment.
Besides the many interesting sessions on sustainability, we also ensure a sustainable festival. For example, you can enjoy local snacks and drinks at the festival.
From local to global
Although New Energy Forum is firmly rooted in the Northern Netherlands, its impact extends much further. Charles explains: “We see ourselves as a showcase. We invite everyone from the Netherlands to come and see how we approach things here. But we're also eager to learn from other regions.” The festival is a showcase of the innovative power of the region, traditionally known as an energy hub.
This year's program brings this strength and ambition to life with striking real-world examples. For example, the session "How a grassroots initiative became successful, but doesn't fit within current regulations," organized by the National Climate Platform, showcases how residents of the Woldwijk Cooperative transformed a vacant lot into a thriving community in seven years. They demonstrate how local strength contributes to pressing issues like climate, energy, and housing, but also where existing systems fall short.
On the main stage, Suzanne Debrichy of PostNL will explain how the company is working towards a 90% CO₂ reduction by 2040. She will discuss emission-free urban logistics, smart use of electric vehicles, and how AI helps make logistics processes more sustainable. Especially for a region like Noord-Nederland, with logistics hubs and growing business activity, this offers valuable lessons on how large players can also accelerate the energy transition and what that can mean locally.
An invitation to be amazed
For Charles, the answer is simple when you ask why you shouldn't miss New Energy Forum: “Because it's the place to get acquainted with the latest ideas, initiatives and visions in the energy and mobility transition in a fun, positive and informal way.
In short: come to Groningen on June 19, be amazed and help break down barriers for a sustainable future.