Without energy, Tomorrowland festival would not exist. From the breathtaking stages to the state-of-the-art speakers and everything in between, the event relies on large amounts of power each year to continue to delight and inspire guests.
Additionally, Tomorrowland’s ongoing dedication to sustainability means that energy consumption, and how to make it the most efficient, is a key focus in the journey to being kinder to the planet. In fact, the festival has made a commitment to using 100% green energy by 2030, which is no easy feat. Finding sustainable power options is a journey of constant discovery: there is no ‘right’ way for festivals, and in leading the search for the best options, multiple methods of sourcing greener energy have been tried and tested by Tomorrowland.
At the start, the festival ran on separate generators. This is one of the most common ways that festivals are powered, often on petrol or diesel: the Tomorrowland generators were run on the latter. However, this was switched to power plants as it became clear that creating a single flow of energy was more efficient than the multiple sources that generators created, meaning lower consumption. The testing of alternative methods continued later on, to determine the best way to move forward with the goal of 100% green energy.
In 2023, An investment of €500,000 allowed the expansion of a fixed power network. This measure has reduced diesel consumption by 44%, as the generators are no longer solely relied on to provide power. In turn, this reduced Co2 by 510.5 tonnes: that’s the equivalent of 510 flights from Brussels to New York. Further to this, a comprehensive power measurement has been put in place using a calculus platform.
Despite the ongoing achievements, not all methods tested have proven successful. After employing batteries in 2023, it was evident that they are not scalable for a festival of this size. However, it was determined that their use lay in absorbing peaks, and further expanding the fixed power network.
Looking to 2024, there are plans for an expansion of the fixed power network and installations, allowing the festival to be self-sufficient in sourcing energy. Beyond next year, further deployment of green power supplies and energy trading opportunities are a priority for Tomorrowland. Though ambitious, the festival’s dedication to a better, greener planet is at the forefront of planning the future of the event.