Sep 22, 2008 | Amsterdam Nuon and Dutch Army National Reserve in joint exercise ‘Without Power’
Between now and 13 October more than 100 servicemen will take part in a joint exercise arranged by the Dutch Army National Reserve and Nuon at the power plant and the high-voltage transformer station at the Hemweg in Amsterdam. In the exercise, known as ‘Without Power’, the authorities have decided to make the electricity supply in the capital extra secure. In ‘Without Power’ this task has been delegated to the Charlie Company of 20Natres battalion, which has its barracks in Amsterdam.
The collaboration with the Royal Dutch Army (of which the National Reserve is part) fits in well with the Nuon’s strict security policy. ‘Security is very important for us,’ says Alexander van Ofwegen, cluster manager and responsible for the Hemweg power plant. ‘Nuon wants to be able to guarantee the power supply under all conceivable circumstances.’
The servicemen are being ordered to assess the situation at the power station and the transformer station and to take action correspondingly, including setting up road blocks, organising sentry posts and carrying out patrols. ‘As well as practising the procedures, various simulations have been prepared in order to teach the men and woman in our company to anticipate unexpected occurrences,’ says Captain Steven Visser, Commandant of the Charlie Company. ‘This type of exercise normally takes place on military territory, but thanks to the collaboration with Nuon we can now hone our skills at a genuine location.’
Nuon and the National Reserve are carrying out the exercise in partnership with Continuon Netbeheer, TenneT (manager of the national high-voltage grid), the Western Regional Military Commando and the Amsterdam-Amstelland Security Office.
About Nuon
Nuon is an ambitious energy company, serving more than three million consumers and organisations with over 10,000 employees in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Nuon produces, transports and delivers electricity, gas, heating and cooling, and engages in energy trading in the major international markets. Nuon also supplies additional services and technological innovations to businesses and consumers. In doing so, Nuon aims to provide a reliable, sustainable and affordable energy supply.
With a turnover of EUR 5.7 billion in 2007, Nuon occupies a prominent position in the Dutch energy market. The shares are held by local and regional authorities. Effective 1 July 2008, Nuon was split into a network company and a production and supply company. The two companies now operate independently under a financial holding company and a joint Management Board.
About the Dutch Army National Reserve (Natres)
This year the Dutch Army National Reserve celebrates its 60th anniversary. Since its foundation in 1948 the corps has fulfilled an important role in giving military support to the civil authorities in regional or national (crisis) situations. Its main task is to guard and secure Dutch soil. The corps also assists in disasters/crises and is deployed on ceremonial occasions, including Prinsjesdag and 4 May. The nucleus of the corps is formed by the 3000 volunteers who, alongside their daily jobs and activities, make their services available to society as military reservist in their region.
The Dutch Army National Reserve is a professional and quickly deployable branch of the Royal Dutch Army, with five regional battalions. The battalion for Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland is 20Natres battalion, which has barracks in Bergen, Amsterdam and The Hague. People between the ages of 18 and 55 with Dutch nationality are eligible to join. A military background is not necessary. Info: www.natres.nl
More information
For safety reasons it is not possible to allow the press into the power plant during the exercise. After the exercise Alexander van Ofwegen and Captain Steven Visser will be available for interviews. During the exercise photos will be published on ANP Pers Support.
Nuon Mediarelations
Joost Dekkers, spokesman
Telephone: 00 31 20 597 42 00
E-mail: mediarelaties@nuon.com
Dutch Army National Reserve
Robert Witsen, sergeant in charge of communications 20Natresbataljon
Telephone: 00 31 6 22 55 61 92
e-mail : rwitsen@natres.nl