ONE Villa Hotel Domburg may make a new start: green hydrogen as unique and sustainable energy supply

A future is shining again for the realisation of ONE Villa Hotel Domburg, the transformation of hotel Zonneduin. After almost two years of stagnation due to grid congestion, real estate development VG-D, together with its consultant Delmeco Green Vision in Goes and Impuls Zeeland, is coming up with a sustainable solution. The building will get its energy from green hydrogen, zero-emission. It is a development that is certainly unique for the Netherlands in the hotel sector, says developer Ko van Garderen. He is hopeful that construction can still be taken up in 2025.

With a hydrogen generator, 160 solar panels and electricity connection for small consumption, combined with a battery, ONE Villa Hotel Domburg can meet its own energy needs. This makes the project a first for the building industry in the Netherlands, which is unable to proceed at very many locations due to grid congestion. 'You do end up with a very substantial investment in the generator and battery. And the consumption costs are higher, although the expectation is that hydrogen could eventually become cheaper than electricity. But then you are virtually autonomous, because you are almost no longer dependent on an energy company,' says Ko van Garderen. 

Back in 2017, the redevelopment of the family hotel Zonneduin took shape. The plan was to replace the ageing building in the middle of Zeeland's dunes with a 'villa hotel' with 20 luxury large hotel flats. Operation would be in the hands of experienced hospitality entrepreneurs. Zonneduin was demolished in 2023, with ONE Villa Hotel Domburg due to open in 2025. 'We got the permit constructively, in good cooperation with Veere municipality, Zeeland province and Scheldestromen water board. And then came grid congestion. TenneT and then Stedin could no longer issue a wholesale contract for electricity. Connection capacity would be available again in 2028 at the earliest but perhaps not until 2030 to 2035, after which construction could start. All that time, this beautiful site would remain as a construction site.'

Hydrogen generator from Toyota

Research into alternative energy sources - diesel and gas - stalled, due to excessive CO2 emissions near a Natura 2000 area. Until Delmeco Green Vision (DGV) in Goes came up with a surprising alternative: the EODev GEH2 Hydrogen Power Generator, a hydrogen generator from manufacturer Toyota developed in collaboration with Louwman Group. Van Garderen: 'The installation has been 100% developed for use in Domburg. The intention was to place the generator and battery in the hotel. In consultation with Safety Region Zeeland, it was decided to place the installation in an outdoor basement. That construction was not in the permit application. That is why we have asked the municipality of Veere whether they are willing to cooperate with this modification. We hope to receive a positive answer to that question soon.'

Also number of medium-sized suites

If that municipal approval comes through, the project can finally get off the ground. From 20 large and luxurious hotel flats, ONE will go to 28 (medium-sized) hotel flats. 'The market demands more double units than four-bed units. Therefore, we are building a number of medium-sized suites, while maintaining the exterior of the licensed building and the number of beds.' However, the original plan to sell 20 hotel flats with 100% hotel operation remains intact. The remaining eight will be operated as hotel flats with more self-catering options, in line with provincial policy. 'We are restarting the sale because a number of first-time buyers have dropped out. But at least we finally have a dot on the horizon,' says Van Garderen with audible enthusiasm. He expects to go ahead with construction of the hotel in 2025.

Sustainable building, exclusive design

When it was first introduced, there was already great interest in the innovative project. The building, right on the North Sea in dune area Nehalennia, will be sustainably realised with natural materials in a car-free area. Additional dune landscape will also be created. Buyers and hotel guests overlook the sea. Flats range from 50 m² to 122 m², excluding associated outdoor space. The top floor has two hotel penthouses. The four-bed units feature multiple bathrooms, double showers, a sunshower, a sauna and a Jacuzzi on the private terrace. Wifi, room service and private cooking are standard in the exclusive set-up.