(AGENPARL) - Roma, 23 Febbraio 2024 - (AGENPARL) – ven 23 febbraio 2024 Luxembourg/The Hague//Tilburg, 23 February 2024
ETZ to renew Tilburg hospital with financing from EIB and BNG
ETZ hospital has agreed a €115 million financing deal with the EIB and BNG Bank to fund the modernisation of the hospital’s St. Elisabeth location in Tilburg.
The hospital will further improve the quality of care by concentrating its acute and clinical care centres, but also significantly increase their buildings’ environmental performance.
This is the second financing arrangement between the parties, after a financing in 2017 to modernise its buildings and facilities, and to introduce a new electronic patient record.
The European Investment Bank (EIB), BNG Bank and ETZ hospital group have signed lending agreements worth €115 million, which will support the hospital group with the first phase of the new construction process on its St. Elisabeth site in Tilburg. The hospital group will borrow €100 million from the EIB and a further €15 million from BNG Bank. The financing will be used to gradually renew virtually all of ETZ’ hospital infrastructure. This way, ETZ aims to optimise the quality, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of its healthcare activities, and provide both patients and staff optimal comfort. It is expected that a further €100 million EIB financing, in support of the second phase of investments, will be signed in the coming years.
To ensure a seamless operation of the hospital throughout the entire implementation period, the project will be implemented in two phases, the first leading up to 2026 with the new construction of an acute care centre (including the emergency room, first heart care, intensive care, a GP emergency room and a helipad), as well as the first part of the new Clinical Building with 80 beds. The second phase of the emergency care block, to be completed in 2031, includes a second clinical building with at least 120 beds, the radiology department, nuclear medicine, a pharmacy, and new operation theatres, as well as a parking garage.
Gerard van Berlo, Boardmember of ETZ, is pleased with the financing transactions with EIB and BNG for the new construction at the Elisabeth location: “This agreement is crucial for the realisation of this new construction project. The obtained financing allows us to start on time, so that the project can be delivered during 2026. We appreciate the care and professionalism shown by EIB and BNG in bringing these agreements about. Therefore, we are confident that with EIB and BNG we have reliable and valuable partners at our side.”
EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot underlines the importance of investing in healthcare in the Netherlands, especially regarding its ageing population: “The EIB’s mission is to improve people’s lives by making available favourable long-term financing. This project with ETZ is a clear example of that. Not only is the EIB glad to back ETZ in its continuous drive to deliver the best possible healthcare in its catchment area, but we also attach great importance to the excellent environmental performance of the new buildings.”
Rob Schreppers, Head of Relationship Banking at BNG Bank: “This financing fits seamlessly with our ambition to be the most important financier in the public domain, to improve the Netherlands from both a social and a sustainability point of view. Therefore, we are very happy with this collaboration with ETZ.”
ETZ has committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by nearly half (compared to its 2010 baseline) by the year 2030, and by 95 % by the year 2050. To reach this target, the energy consumption of the new buildings will be significantly lower than minimum legal requirements. This will be done by discontinuing the use of gas for heating, using LED lighting, expanding the heat- and cold retention of the buildings and the collection of rainwater.
Background information
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances sound investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed a total of €88 billion in new financing for over 900 projects in 2023. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €320 billion in investment, supporting 400 000 companies and 5.4 million jobs.
All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Accord. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.
Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards.
BNG Bank exclusive focus is on the public domain in the Netherlands. Its customers include municipalities, housing associations, healthcare and educational institutions, and energy companies. BNG Bank’s ambition is that customers see the bank as a natural partner when it comes to financing their social challenges and achieving their climate goals.
ETZ is a top clinical training hospital in the Central Brabant region. The hospital offers a wide range of medical specialist care, with many cross-regional functions. In addition, the ETZ is nationally renowned for its expertise in the fields of heavy traumatology and neurosurgery. The ETZ has three hospital sites: ETZ Elisabeth, ETZ TweeSteden (both in Tilburg) and ETZ Waalwijk.