A trailer full of solar panels, built in their parents’ barn. That was the start of Volta Energy: a sustainable alternative to polluting diesel generators. The company, run by brothers Roel and Luc Bleumer, has since grown into a major player, with hundreds of systems across Europe and a clear mission: to make mobile energy cleaner, smarter and more affordable.
In recognition of this commitment, on 5 June the Volta Energy team received the first Lifeport Parel Award of 2025, presented by Jan van Dellen, director of The Economic Board Regio Arnhem Nijmegen: “Volta Energy is a leading example of how entrepreneurship in our region contributes to key issues such as the energy transition and sustainability. Their innovative approach and growth inspire other companies to also contribute to a future-proof region. For this, they receive the Lifeport Pearl.”
Technology and idealism as a basis
Volta Energy’s roots lie in Westervoort, where Roel and Luc grew up in a family where technology and sustainability went hand in hand. “Our childhood revolved around the vegetable garden, the shed, and trying to make everything ourselves,” says Roel. “We learnt to weld whilst we were still at primary school.”
That blend of technical curiosity and social commitment proved to be decisive. Whilst their classmates were talking about pets, the boys were already giving presentations on solar energy and biofuel. Roel later chose to study mechanical engineering, whilst Luc opted for electrical engineering. During their studies, they came face to face with a glaring contradiction: a sustainable event where electricity was being generated by a roaring diesel generator. There had to be a better way.
The seed for Volta
During a school project, Roel designed a solar-powered generator. At a Friday afternoon drinks gathering, he showed his design to someone from a sustainability consultancy. Their interest was piqued; now it was a matter of living up to expectations. Within a weekend, a budget had been drawn up, and on Monday came the response: “Go ahead and build it.” Together with Luc, he ordered parts, tinkered away in the shed and tested the first prototype at a festival site.
That prototype worked, albeit with a few hiccups. “We had pallets of batteries in the driveway, cables running through the whole house and Dad’s tools. It was far from perfect, but it proved that the idea was feasible,” says Luc.
“Roel and Luc Bleumer have recognised the importance of the environment and nature from a young age and, by ‘simply starting to build’, have brought a product to market that makes a significant contribution to the energy transition and climate targets. Within five years, they have built up a company that is not only a jewel in the crown of Duiven’s economy but certainly also a role model for the region,” says Huub Hieltjes, Mayor of Duiven.
Internship at your own start-up
During his Entrepreneurship minor, Roel further developed the idea into a business case. This led to a request from the municipality of Arnhem, for which they were asked to develop an energy solution. As they already had their first paying client, they were allowed to undertake their final-year placement at their own company, which was yet to be established at the time.
“That was the turning point,” says Luc. “We went from an experiment to a business. From that moment on, it was all about building something bigger full-time.” In 2017, they rented their first business premises. “We’d cycle there together every morning, and back home again in the evening. And at Mum and Dad’s dinner table, we’d just carry on talking about work.”
Volta Energy grows by
Volta Energy has now grown into a scale-up with over sixty employees, three branches in the Netherlands and one in Germany. The so-called ‘Voltas’ (mobile solar-powered energy solutions) are mainly used on construction sites, at festivals and at temporary locations. They combine solar panels with smart software, batteries and, where necessary, a hybrid solution running on hydrogen, biodiesel or methanol.
With more than 400 systems now available for hire, Volta Energy offers energy ‘as a service’. Customers hire a system, and Volta takes care of the rest. Monitoring is automatic, thanks to software that transmits data every two seconds. “Our customers don’t have to worry about a thing. We ensure it always works – sustainably and reliably,” says Roel.
With each other, for each other
Although the company was set up by two brothers, Roel and Luc emphasise that they owe their success to the whole team. “We started out as just the two of us, but now we’re doing this with sixty colleagues. From design to service and from production to sales: everyone contributes,” says Roel. “We strongly believe in ownership. The lads in the workshop often know better than we do how to do something faster or smarter. And that applies just as much to our colleagues in sales, customer service, cleaning… you name it!”
That informal, learning-oriented culture is characteristic of Volta Energy. “As a founder, you don’t have to be the best at everything,” says Luc. “It’s precisely by letting go that we continue to grow.”
Rooted in the region
Roel and Luc are proud to have been able to build their business in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region. “There is so much technical knowledge and experience here,” says Roel. “From schools to businesses and from local authorities to partners: you find people here who genuinely want to work together. That’s what makes this region unique.”
That sense of regional connection is evident in everything Volta Energy does. “We’re committed to a cleaner world, but it starts here. With every project, we contribute to a region that is sustainable, innovative and future-proof.”
A well-deserved Pearl
The Lifeport Pearl Award recognises organisations in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region that stand out for their innovation, sustainability or social impact. The Economic Board Regio Arnhem Nijmegen presents the award three times a year to companies that inspire others and put the region on the (inter)national map.
“Receiving this Parel Award is a huge compliment,” says Roel. “We’re not the biggest, nor the fastest-growing, but we do believe in what we do. And we put our heart and soul into it, together with our team.”
The sustainable future
Volta Energy is not standing still. Its ambition is to have 3,000 systems up and running across Europe within three years, whilst operating in a fully carbon-neutral manner. In doing so, the company aims to scale up further under its own management, without compromising on reliability or affordability.
“Our dream? That sustainable mobile energy becomes the norm. And that we, together with our team and this region, can play a leading role in achieving that.”
