Hundreds of jobs and a financial boost for the region. Dessert giant Fage from Greece has wanted to open a factory in Hoogeveen for some time, but after years of trying, the building is still not there. What is the current situation?
About two years ago, nitrogen regulations thwarted the construction of the production hall. Fage came up with a new plan and decided to make the factory completely electric, so that there would be no nitrogen emissions.
Then you might think: the problem has been solved, but nothing could be further from the truth. Once the factory is built, nitrogen will still be released. The province of Drenthe is now investigating whether Fage can still build with limited emissions. This is evident from a letter from the province. If there are no obstacles, the permit will be examined again. People can also file an objection if they feel necessary.
If the yogurt maker is subsequently given the green light, the construction of the factory is estimated to take two years. This does not mean that the building can be used immediately, what remains is a connection to the energy grid and that takes time.
Network operators TenneT and Rendo are busy expanding the network in Drenthe, including at the Riegmeer business park. The station there should be completed in 2029 and Fage could get a connection a year later.
Nature clubs have not been gentle with the arrival of the Greek company in recent years. There was criticism about nitrogen emissions, which could be bad for the surrounding nature, and there were concerns about water consumption in the factory.
To produce yogurt, 2.5 million liters of water would be needed every day. Water company WMD announced at the time that this would not jeopardize drinking water in the region. Objectors believe that savings should still be made.
The letter from the province states that the Greeks have listened to the objections. The new design of the production hall should save 90 percent of drinking water.
80 percent less waste water also goes to the sewage treatment plant in Echten. All savings will be borne by Fage, because they will build their own water purification plant. A lot of water is also reused.
Initially, the plan was to build a new pipeline from Riegmeer to Echten. An investment worth millions, but it is no longer necessary because the company is reducing water consumption.
Fage wants to build a factory in Hoogeveen to gain a foothold in Europe. At first they wanted to build in Luxembourg, but that plan fell apart. According to the company, Hoogeveen is in a favorable location, including for transport.
The municipality of Hoogeveen bought nitrogen rights elsewhere to make room for the arrival of the Greeks. These were not allowed to be used for the factory.
Hoogeveen and the province would like to attract the dairy giant. The arrival of the company should create hundreds of jobs. Fage itself does not want to respond until the permit has been finalized.