From energy audits to DUMAVA grants: how SOVAK is becoming more sustainable, step by step

A healthcare organization where sustainability makes a real difference

SOVAK is a healthcare organization in West Brabant that supports people with intellectual disabilities in housing, employment, and daily life. The organization operates multiple locations with a variety of buildings, each with its own energy profile.

Because of this variation, energy is not only a cost item but also a strategic issue within the organization.

Challenge: Where do you start when it comes to sustainability?

Many healthcare institutions want to become more sustainable, but get stuck at the first step. Where are the greatest opportunities, and how can you approach this in a structured way?

This question also arose at SOVAK. There was a need for insight, a clear overview, and a clear path forward. At the same time, there was an opportunity to take advantage of the DUMAVA grant, but this first required a professional and well-founded energy assessment.

The problem isn't the technology, but the lack of understanding

The challenge lay not in the desire to become more sustainable, but in the lack of concrete insight.

The main challenges were:

• No comprehensive overview of energy consumption by location
• Uncertainty about which measures are most effective
• No clear basis for grant applications

Without this insight, sustainability efforts often get stuck at the planning stage rather than moving on to implementation.

The Solution: From an Energy Audit to a Concrete Sustainability Plan

SPOT Energie has launched a comprehensive on-site energy audit. The audit focused not only on data, but specifically on real-world practices.

Based on this, a concrete plan was drawn up with feasible and impactful measures. This immediately served as the basis for a successful application for the DUMAVA grant, which allowed a large portion of the investment to be recouped.

What Makes This Approach Different

While many programs stop at providing advice, this approach goes a step further.

At SOVAK, this meant:

• Solar panels on the roof
• Using Battery Storage for Smarter Energy Use
• Successful Application for and Use of the DUMAVA Grant

In addition, we actively oversee the process to ensure that plans are actually carried out.

“We needed clarity and structure. SPOT Energie helped us move from loose ideas to concrete steps. That makes all the difference.”

Jos van Bergen Sovak

Many healthcare organizations find themselves in a similar situation. They have the ambition, but they lack a clear path forward.

With the right approach, you gain insight, direction, and results.

Conclusion

SOVAK demonstrates what happens when sustainability is viewed not as a standalone project, but as an integral part of your organization. With the right guidance, you’ll not only develop a plan, but—more importantly—gain insight, direction, and control over energy and real estate.

Social real estate requires a different approach

““For organizations like SOVAK, it’s not just about cost savings, but about future-proof real estate that aligns with the care they provide. That’s why we always start by gaining insight on-site. By thoroughly understanding how a building is used, we can choose measures that truly work in practice. This prevents plans from being shelved and ensures that sustainability initiatives are actually implemented.””

– Jerry says