Member in the Spotlight | Praeter
NBCC was pleased to interview our member Michiel Lindhout, Director & head of sales & Tom Groos, Managing Partner at Praeter. Praeter advises and supports organisations in becoming more sustainable from implementing energy-saving measures to embarking on a long-term journey towards carbon-neutral operations as the ultimate goal. They offer a range of sustainability programmes tailored to the specific wishes and needs of your organisation. Praeter combines high-quality service delivery with specialised expertise in CO₂ management, renewable energy, and social and corporate responsibility.
Introduction to Praeter:
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what led you to join Praeter UK as a Director?
My name is Michiel Lindhout. I have over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on building and scaling businesses. Praeter NL is owned by two close friends of mine. When I joined the Dutch business in 2022, my business partner Tom Groos had the ambition to start the same model in the UK in which I then joined as a shareholder and Director.
What attracted me is that Praeter combines commercial impact with a positive outcome for both business models and the environment. I genuinely enjoy starting from scratch and helping organisations grow in a smart and structured way. Furthermore, the energy transition and electrification are two of the most relevant and urgent topics of the coming decade which makes working on it very exciting.
What is Praeter’s core mission, and how do you personally contribute to this mission in your role?
Praeter’s core mission is making commercial & industrial real estate as energy-efficient as possible in combination with financially sound investments.
We do this by consulting business on all technical, legal, operational and financial aspects of all types of energy transition solutions. With this our clients, achieve future-proof real estate and sites, lower and more predictable energy bills, on-site energy security, and compliance with rapidly evolving regulations.
In my role, I focus on building long-term partnerships, developing the UK market, and ensuring we stay close to our client’s needs. We continuously strengthen our team, IT-tools and delivery model so that clients receive high-quality, independent advice and project execution from idea to completion. You can see Praeter as your temporary facility and project manager—focused on outcomes, not reports.
Specialisation & Value Proposition:
Praeter is an independent consultancy supporting businesses in solar energy, battery energy storage systems, EV-charging infrastructure, and other energy-transition technologies. What makes your approach unique in the market?
Our key differentiator is independence. We never earn margins from suppliers or installers—so that our advice is fully objective and client focused. Clients can even involve their own preferred installer during our tender process, and we will transparently explain why an offer is strong or where it falls short.
We work with a close, experienced team that genuinely enjoys solving complex challenges. We focus on solutions that are good for the entrepreneur and create positive impact on the wider environment—without steering clients towards specific brands or suppliers.
Why is solar energy such an attractive business model for commercial real estate today?
First: self-generated solar energy is typically significantly cheaper than buying electricity from the grid— In the UK electricity generated by your own solar PV system costs between £0.02 - £0.05 per kWh while businesses on average pay £0.20 per kWh or more to their energy supplier. This makes investments in solar energy in the highly profitable and bankable for commercial real estate (in the UK and NL).
Second: in many cases solar PV systems is increasingly being combined with battery storage (BESS) to increase the direct-consumption ratio, reduce peak demand costs, and become less dependent on the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for on-site energy supply. This is especially relevant in the context of the increasing problem of grid congestion in the UK, somewhat we are (un)fortunately very experienced with in The Netherlands.
Third: the investment in renewable assets such as solar PV and BESS nearly always creates a win-win situation for commercial real estate (CRE) owners and tenants.
Fourth (and foremost): for many CRE owners and asset managers, investment in renewable assets no longer has to do with ESG compliance or “extra” revenue opportunity; it is becoming a practical necessity with strategic urgency to protect tenant continuity and future-proof assets as grid access becomes more and more constrained.
Market Trends & Opportunity:
The UK solar market is growing rapidly, with ambitious national targets for 2030 and 2035. How is Praeter positioned to support this growth?
We bring experience and a proven delivery model from the Netherlands, where the market is more mature (there are roughly as many solar panels in NL as in the UK, while NL being a much smaller country) and where grid congestion and energy optimisation are already daily realities for businesses.
Our team includes specialists with 10+ years of experience in this field—covering both individual site solutions and collective concepts such as Energy Hubs (multi-company collaboration to share energy and optimise usage and revenues). We know the typical pitfalls, and we use a robust “programme of requirements” to ensure renewable asset-installations meet high standards for quality, warranties, maintenance and long-term performance. Our process is built to prevent costly mistakes and reduce risk for CRE owners, asset managers and tenants.
A well installed and executed solar PV system has a lifespan of 30-40 years, so it’s very beneficial to implement these systems well from the get-go.
What are the biggest opportunities you see for CRE owners in the UK and the Netherlands in adopting behind-the-meter renewable energy systems?
The opportunities are both financial and strategic:
- On-site energy security which will be essential for attracting and maintaining tenants and improves the attractiveness of the real estate asset.
- Long-term lower energy bills for occupier or tenants we see reductions of > 25% and on a structural basis.
- Extra revenue for the owner, depending on the commercial setup and tenant agreements, one of our specialties.
- Future-proof real estate: better EPC/energy label performance, supporting compliance and often improving financing conditions.
- Renewable asset and business structuring: PV, BESS and EV infrastructure can be operated as separate assets (e.g., via an SPV), creating a scalable “energy business model” across multiple sites—often with a valuation upside at exit.
Technology, Innovation & Automation:
Your platform includes automated comparisons, standardised contracts, and independent cloud monitoring. How does digitalisation enhance the quality and speed of project implementation?
We have our own in-house ICT team and develop our tools ourselves. This allows us to simplify complex decision-making, simulate the optimal size and configuration of renewable energy assets, eliminate errors, and standardise key steps during a project such as technical comparisons on a component level, contract terms, commissioning reports and monitoring requirements.
The result: quicker lead times, stronger quality assurance, better documentation for stakeholders (owners, insurers, authorities), and more consistent project delivery—especially when rolling out projects across multiple locations.
What innovations in solar PV, battery storage, or EV infrastructure excite you the most right now?
The shift of renewable energy from an “environmental business opportunity” to both an “environmental and financial business opportunity” excites us the most . This is due to rapid efficiency improvements and plummeting costs for a wide range of renewable energy technologies over the last 10 years leading to the lowest costs per kWh in the overall energy market.
Till recently most companies looked at renewable energy asset investments as a must do to meet regulations and ESG goals, while in reality these renewable energy assets can deliver strong, stable returns—often of 15%+ depending on the specific situation. That is higher than the average IRR many investors target in equities or even real estate.
In addition to this there’s a shift in strategic importance to businesses as investments in a range of renewable energy assets gives businesses increased energy independence from the grid.
Case Studies & Impact:
Could you describe a recent project where Praeter created measurable value for a client (financial savings, CO₂ reduction, energy security, etc.)?
We have a large client portfolio in the Netherlands with businesses of all sizes. In the UK we are building our client portfolio rapidly and are involved in projects from Portsmouth to Inverness.
Among our UK clients we are the trusted partner of a large business in the automotive sector with over 200 sites across the UK, where they both own and occupy the real estate. After an initial pilot project, we have been and are currently involved in the feasibility and project management of rolling out solar PV systems and battery energy storage projects on over 50 of their sites.
On average per site the annual energy bills are reduced significantly up to 50%, the average IRR is >12%, payback between 5 and 8 years, they are compliant with the companies ESG goals and they manage to meet their increased on-site demand for electricity mainly due to EV-infrastructure and electrical heating without new energy grid capacity needed, which gives our client long-term resilience.
Another good example is a UK client in the logistics sector that has just been put on a 7-year waiting list for extra grid capacity by the DNO. To grow their business, it’s of essence they have a swift solution for this problem. We are currently in the feasibility phase, but are more than happy providing updates when a solution has been agreed on.
Many CRE owners are concerned about grid congestion, roof quality, and structural limitations. How does Praeter help clients overcome these challenges?
This is exactly our sweet spot and where we have a lot of experience. We manage these processes with a clear, structured step-by-step go/no-go approach. If something is a no-go, we explore alternatives—e.g., lighter solar panels, different mounting systems, partial coverage, or a different system design.
For grid congestion, we simulate an energy profile analysis (including future demand scenarios on a quarter-hour basis) so clients understand what constraints they may face and what would be the optimal solution for a specific site. We translate complex challenges into clear decision steps and guide clients all the way up-to completion.
Sustainability & Net Zero:
How do your solutions support companies in meeting ESG goals, improving EPC labels, and delivering Paris-Proof buildings?
Solar PV systems, BESS and energy-saving measures directly support ESG performance and decarbonization goals. Solar reduces CO₂ emissions by replacing ‘grey’ electricity from the grid with on-site generation of ‘green’, renewable electricity. Batteries typically do not “create” CO₂ savings by themselves, but they increase self-consumption and shift solar energy to high-value moments—reducing grid dependence and supporting overall decarbonisation. They way batteries have become cleaner, and recyclable has improved beyond any expectations in the last 5 years and the future is looking very bright on these aspects. As a practical reference point (indicative, depending on location and usage):
- A modern 400 Wp solar panel can generate roughly ~350 kWh/year, which can save around ~140 kg CO₂/year by replacing ‘grey’ electricity.
- A 1 kWh battery can increase self-consumption and shift energy to evening usage; with ~200–250 cycles/year this can support additional CO₂ reductions depending on the grid emission factor and site profile. Beyond emissions: these investments often improve EPC outcomes and help move buildings towards “Paris-Proof” performance—while also improving energy cost stability.
What role do you believe commercial real estate will play in the wider energy transition?
It’s important to understand that households are only responsible for +/- 15% energy consumption in NL and the UK.
Energy and commercial & industrial real estate have become much more integral over the last couple of years – and this will only increase as the electrification of industry and buildings combined with grid constraints will evolve.
This makes on-site energy generation and optimisation the most logical choice for CRE owners and tenants. As a result, C & I real estate will be one of the largest and most impactful sectors contributing to the energy transition.
We also see that once owners or tenants are convinced and have a clear plan, they often move fast and across their portfolio. This creates strong, long-term collaborations for us. And if, after a successful journey together, an organisation no longer needs us because they’ve built internal capabilities—that is genuinely a compliment. It means we helped them understand the process, the risks and the right steps.
NBCC Membership:
What motivated Praeter to join the NBCC?
During a UK–NL business event I sat next to Lyne. Her energy and dedication were remarkable and immediately made us enthusiastic about the chamber and its people. We believe in long-term partnerships, and NBCC feels like a platform where real collaboration can grow. Our colleagues and friends at other businesses with activities in both NL and the UK have also told us good stories about NBCC, which is of course a great reference.
How do you see opportunities for collaboration with UK–NL businesses within the chamber?
We already collaborate extensively with councils, banks and many businesses, and we enjoy building partnerships. Through the chamber we expect and hope for even more UK–NL collaborations to emerge. Energy is a key theme for almost every sector right now, and we believe we can contribute practical, positive and commercially relevant input to members. The other way around we hope to learn from other companies’ experiences. This is especially helpful on very practical subjects such as how to set-up a good administration, deal with tax regulations, how to effectively make VISA applications and how to deal with cultural differences in business between the UK and NL.
As we found out (and already knew) British and Dutch people get along very well; we are all very entrepreneurial, we each don’t take ourselves to serious, but are serious in doing business the right way. Still there are some, often very funny, cultural differences. We’d love to share our examples and are more than happy to hear from other British and Dutch NBCC members
Future Vision:
What are the next steps in Praeter’s growth in the UK and Europe?
For now, our focus is firmly on the Netherlands and the UK. We see strong cross-pollination between both markets and many valuable initiatives to deliver. Europe is large and opportunities are endless, but we prefer to grow with quality and focus rather than expand for expansion’s sake.
Our biggest challenge—and opportunity—is grid congestion and energy security. The Netherlands has been dealing with this for years, and we now see similar patterns emerging in the UK. Because we have deep experience in solving these challenges in NL, we can help UK clients move faster and make better decisions.
If you could give one piece of advice to CRE owners preparing for the energy transition, what would it be?
Don’t view on-site generation and storage as something you “have to do” for compliance. If you act early, you can create a strategic advantage with strong returns, protect tenant continuity, and become far more independent from grid constraints. In short: treat it as a strategic investment opportunity—not a regulatory burden.
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