On the Zijtwende in De Lier is the cradle of Maarel Orchids. Since 1997 many large-flowered Phalaenopsis have been cultivated at this nursery, with an area of 36,000 m2 of greenhouses. Together with the ample production of our nursery in Maasdijk we can supply our customers with tens of thousands of plants daily, giving them a choice from a large assortment of around 300 types.
This nursery too has advanced computerisation available to make the jobs of our co-workers easier. We also have modern greenhouses with all the technical support for producing a qualitatively excellent potted Phalaenopsis, at this location.
Also at this location the energy supply is taken care of as efficiently as possible. For this we have a combined heat and power station of 3 MW, with which we convert natural gas into electricity and heat. The electricity we generate via total energy is used to create light for the plants in the spring and autumn. In the summer months this electricity is used to cool the greenhouses. The heat, which is released as a ‘residual product’ while generating this electricity, is stored in a buffer of 1200 m3 and is used to create an optimal climate in the greenhouses at night or at times other than the summer months.
The total yearly production of electricity at Maarel Orchids is about 45,000 MWh. The electricity we do not use for ourselves, we supply back to the net. The total energy provides a far more efficient energy production than would be possible with large energy supply companies. In addition, with our total energy systems we make a contribution to reducing the imbalance at the energy network.