Groningen, April 8 – Novar and Entent announce the launch of a joint venture focused on the development, financing, construction and operation of public charging hubs for heavy electric transport. The collaboration will initially focus on three priority locations, of which two can already be announced: Roodehaan and Bontepolder.
The partnership combines Novar’s expertise in sustainable energy with Entent’s knowledge of charging infrastructure and aims to make the transition to zero-emission freight transport concrete and scalable. Based on the experience and insights gained from these first projects, further rollout of charging hubs across the Netherlands will be determined.
Strongly growing demand for charging infrastructure for electric trucks
The logistics sector is undergoing a major transformation. Stricter European emissions regulations, ambitious climate targets and the rapid rise of battery electric trucks are driving a sharp increase in demand for high-capacity charging hubs. The International Council on Clean Transportation expects electricity demand for heavy-duty electric vehicles to reach tens of terawatt-hours annually by 2030.
In the Netherlands, recent studies by TNO and Rijkswaterstaat confirm that large-scale electrification of heavy transport is technically and operationally feasible. In many cases, electric trucks can charge sufficiently within thirty to forty-five minutes to complete their routes, further underlining both the urgency and feasibility of large-scale charging infrastructure.
At the same time, the development of large-scale charging infrastructure depends heavily on locations where energy supply, space and logistics flows together optimally. The decision to start with three concrete locations reflects this reality and enables faster impact.
Charging hubs as a new value driver for solar parks and a solution to grid congestion
In recent years, Novar has grown into a market leader in the development of large-scale solar parks and has deliberately chosen to retain ownership of these assets. However, the energy market is changing rapidly: price volatility, grid congestion and imbalances between supply and demand are putting pressure on traditional business cases. This creates the need to integrate solar parks more intelligently into the energy system.
The development of charging hubs is a logical and strategic next step in this context. By directly linking renewable generation to locations with high, predictable and immediately usable demand, a more robust value proposition is created. In addition, such locations help alleviate grid congestion by combining solar energy, battery storage and smart energy management in a way that supports the electricity grid.
The first three locations serve as concrete examples of how this integrated approach works in practice. Here, renewable energy generation is directly connected to charging infrastructure for heavy transport, strengthening both the energy system and the logistics sector.
Heiko Tit, Commercial Director at Novar, explains: “The energy market requires new ways to optimally utilize renewable generation. By connecting our solar parks to charging hubs, we create a future-proof solution that supports logistics companies while keeping our assets relevant and economically viable. This is an important step in building a smart and flexible energy system for the Netherlands.”
Entent’s unique development approach: connecting where value is created
Entent distinguishes itself in the market as a charge point operator (CPO) by focusing on locations where renewable energy is available, such as solar parks or surplus capacity at data centers, rather than exclusively on traditional highway locations. This approach was one of the key drivers behind the collaboration.
Unlike conventional CPOs that primarily focus on high-traffic locations, Entent deliberately seeks sites where charging capacity can be developed within grid constraints and with approval from logistics customers. This aligns with market developments, as logistics companies are looking for reliable, scalable and sustainable solutions that fit their operational reality.
Ricardo Wervenbos, Founder and Director Sales: “Transport companies are actively transitioning to electric mobility, but can only do so if the infrastructure is reliable and professionally organized. By combining our charging expertise with Novar’s sustainable energy solutions, we create a complete and future-proof charging concept. This lowers the barrier to truly adopt zero-emission heavy transport and fits within Entent’s broader vision and network.”
