Sfinks Mixed switches completely to solar energy with Bolt

Sfinks Mixed no longer has to rely entirely on diesel generators to meet its “energy need”. Together with Bolt a plan was developed to generate the required energy locally. For this, Bolt uses solar panels in combination with batteries that store energy on location – at times when it is not used immediately. Switching completely to the renewable energy source was not possible for the upcoming festival.

The organizers want to be there in three years. “We didn’t hesitate for long when Bolt contacted us to switch Sfinks Mixed over to green energy. Via Bolt, we are taking another big step in the right direction, by switching stages to solar energy. We want the entire festival to run on green energy within three years,” says organizer Geert Vanrijkelen.

Bolt: 80 percent less CO2

Energy platform Bolt states that the mobile solar installation in combination with the batteries results in a CO2 reduction of up to 80 percent. With the solar panels, Bolt can generate 1,000 kWh during Sfinks Mixed. This is equivalent to one third of a family’s annual electricity consumption. Whether this is actually achieved depends on the weather conditions. A cloudy day obviously produces less solar energy than a completely sunny day.

For the organizers of Sfinks Mixed, the collaboration with Bolt is not the first step towards the more sustainable future of the festival. In 2015 OVAM presented a GroenEvent award for the efforts made by the organizers to reduce CO2 emissions.

Hope for more sustainable festivals

The transition to green energy is an important step for festivals to reduce their footprint. “Diesel generators (are) still often the most commonly used source to generate electricity, accounting for 75% of a festival’s entire footprint,” says Pieterjan Verhaeghen, CEO and co-founder of Bolt. Mayor Koen T’Sijen van Boechout also sees opportunities for more festivals at home and abroad to adopt this concept. He calls the Bolt and Sfinks Mixed project an important asset for his municipality, which wants to emit about 40 percent less CO2 by 2030.

Bolt positions itself as a supplier of local, sustainable energy. Sfinks Mixed is one of the first festivals for Bolt to accompany it in the sustainability process. Previously, Bolt was involved in the energy supply of Camping Belgica and Werchter Parklife.