On King’s Day 2026, Arnhem proves that a large public celebration can also be clean and quiet. Ten out of the fifteen festival locations in the city centre are already operating without diesel generators. The remaining five use HVO100, a renewable fuel that produces virtually no net CO₂ emissions. Together, this saves approximately 5,250 litres of fossil diesel — comparable to driving a passenger car around the city every day for twenty years.

The ambition goes further. By 2028, Arnhem aims to organise King’s Day completely without fossil diesel. 2026 is the first step. 2027 and 2028 will follow with more locations, broader themes, and an approach that can also serve as an example for other events and municipalities.

How it works: smart solutions per location

Each square receives a tailored energy solution:

Free Your Mind at Blauwe Golven runs entirely on shore power and construction connections.
Theater aan de Rijn supplies electricity to the Heeren van Aemstel event.
De Buitenkroeg at the AKU fountain on Gele Rijders Plein runs on a Hivolt battery, charged via the fountain’s fixed connection.
One of the two first aid posts runs entirely on batteries from the Arnhem-based company Wattsun; the other is connected to the city hall.
Where no alternative is yet available: HVO100 as a bridge to fully emission-free.

The road to 2028

During Arnhem Electricity Week (18–23 May 2026), we will start developing the roadmap for zero-emission events. Organisers will receive practical guidance on regulations, alternatives, and costs. This makes sustainable event organisation not only possible, but also scalable. The pilot in Arnhem thus forms a concrete and feasible example for events throughout the Netherlands.

“We show that it is possible: organising large events step by step without emissions. Not as a utopia, but as practice. We will share the results of this pilot during Arnhem Electricity Week with everyone who can benefit from it.”
Frank Bult – Project Lead ZERO Emission King’s Day

“We want Arnhem to remain a pleasant city to live, work and celebrate in the future. That is why we are working hard on the energy transition, both in people’s homes and across the city. Clean events in our city are an important part of this. The emission-free King’s Day is a great step. This year, we are celebrating this major event in Arnhem cleaner and quieter than ever. And a King’s Day in Arnhem fully powered by sustainable energy is getting closer and closer.”
Bob Roelofs – Alderman for Events, Municipality of Arnhem

The Arnhem pilot involves, among others, the Municipality of Arnhem, Stichting Koningsdag Arnhem, Connectr – Energy Innovation, Stichting De Schakelaars, Hivolt, Wattsun, and GreenPositive.