Investing in a sustainable future
We commit ourselves to your energy transition by delivering fit for purpose energy solutions.
Our Mission
We invest at the forefront of the energy transition, leading toward a sustainable world.
Our management team
Paul Tummers
CEO
As the CEO of Virya Energy, Paul Tummers is leading the energy group’s rapid growth in new markets and technologies. With extensive experience in energy infrastructure projects, energy markets and corporate finance, he is actively involved in bringing together various stakeholders in order to build sustainable solutions for the energy transition challenges. Paul has also been instrumental in setting up the corporate structure of Virya Energy, covering the 10 group-owned entities whose activities include sustainable energy generation, hydrogen projects and services for both the off and on shore energy industry.
Tom Mahieu
Head of Finance
As Head of Finance at Virya Energy, Tom Mahieu leads all financial operations and strategic initiatives across the group’s international activities. With extensive experience in treasury, payment solutions, and multi-disciplinary finance team management from his tenure at Colruyt Group, he brings valuable expertise to Virya Energy’s expansion. Over the past two years, he has been instrumental in building robust financial foundations for the group’s future growth, establishing new teams, processes, and governance structures across multiple jurisdictions. As a member of the management team, Tom plays a key role in shaping Virya Energy’s development while ensuring financial excellence and sustainable growth.
Ivan De Smedt
Group HR Director
Pieter Marinus
Head of Corporate Development Services
As Head of Corporate Development Services at Virya Energy, Pieter Marinus drives strategic initiatives and portfolio management across the group. With extensive experience in legal affairs, M&A, and renewable energy from his roles at Parkwind and Korys, he brings valuable expertise in corporate development and sustainability. His background as General Counsel and Board Member across various renewable energy companies provides crucial insights for Virya Energy’s growth strategy. In his current role, Pieter focuses on legal, M&A, public affairs, and sustainability matters while supporting the group’s strategic development as part of the management team.
Go back
Paul Tummers
CEO
As the CEO of Virya Energy, Paul Tummers is leading the energy group’s rapid growth in new markets and technologies. With extensive experience in energy infrastructure projects, energy markets and corporate finance, he is actively involved in bringing together various stakeholders in order to build sustainable solutions for the energy transition challenges. Paul has also been instrumental in setting up the corporate structure of Virya Energy, covering the 10 group-owned entities whose activities include sustainable energy generation, hydrogen projects and services for both the off and on shore energy industry.
Go back
Tom Mahieu
Head of Finance
As Head of Finance at Virya Energy, Tom Mahieu leads all financial operations and strategic initiatives across the group’s international activities. With extensive experience in treasury, payment solutions, and multi-disciplinary finance team management from his tenure at Colruyt Group, he brings valuable expertise to Virya Energy’s expansion. Over the past two years, he has been instrumental in building robust financial foundations for the group’s future growth, establishing new teams, processes, and governance structures across multiple jurisdictions. As a member of the management team, Tom plays a key role in shaping Virya Energy’s development while ensuring financial excellence and sustainable growth.
Go back
Ivan De Smedt
Group HR Director
Go back
Pieter Marinus
Head of Corporate Development Services
As Head of Corporate Development Services at Virya Energy, Pieter Marinus drives strategic initiatives and portfolio management across the group. With extensive experience in legal affairs, M&A, and renewable energy from his roles at Parkwind and Korys, he brings valuable expertise in corporate development and sustainability. His background as General Counsel and Board Member across various renewable energy companies provides crucial insights for Virya Energy’s growth strategy. In his current role, Pieter focuses on legal, M&A, public affairs, and sustainability matters while supporting the group’s strategic development as part of the management team.
Our History
1990
Start Green Line Charter
With the Green Line charter, Colruyt’s management and employees commited themselves to the environment. Based on the conviction, and the observation, that ecology and economy go hand in hand.
1994
Eurowatt Founded
Eurowatt’s journey began in 1994 with the acquisition of two hydroelectric plants in Portugal and Spain’s mountainous regions. These initial assets laid the foundation for what would become a pioneering renewable energy company, marking the start of three decades of sustainable energy development.
1995
First PV installation at Colruyt
Colruyt Group took its first step into renewable energy with a rooftop solar installation at its Sint-Truiden store.
1999
First Wind Turbine Installed
Colruyt Group installed its first wind turbine, a V66 model, at its site in Halle, marking a significant milestone in Belgian corporate renewable energy. This pioneering installation demonstrated the company’s early commitment to wind power.
2001
First Family Sustainability Investments
Initial sustainability investments by Colruyt family shareholders establish foundation for what later became Korys, marking early commitment to environmental ventures.
2002
Eurowatt Onshore Wind
Eurowatt acquires an 18 MW windfarm in Portugal marking its entry into onshore wind.
2007
Colruyt Group H2 for Logistics
The group starts to test H2 palletiser technology in its warehouses exploring how H2 can prove to be a viable alternative to battery powered equipment.
2009
First Offshore Wind Farm Belwind
One of Belgium’s first 165 MW offshore windfarms, Belwind, begins operation in the North Sea demonstrating early leadership in offshore wind development.
2012
Parkwind Founded
Creation of Parkwind brings dedicated focus to offshore wind development, building on the success of early North Sea projects from the group. Parkwind reached 1 GW of installed capacity by 2022.
2018
First Hydrogen Refueling Station
DATS 24 opens its first HRS, offering the possibility to refuel hydrogen powered vehicles with locally produced hydrogen.
2019
Eoly Energy Founded
Eoly established to develop onshore renewable projects, building on two decades of Colruyt Group’s sustainable energy expertise.
2019
Launch of Virya Energy
Virya was established to integrate all renewable energy activities of the Colruyt Group and Korys, uniting the likes of Parkwind, Eoly and Eurowatt under a single structure.
2021
Announcement of ZET Commitment
Colruyt announces ambitious plan to eliminate transport emissions by 2035, pioneering clean mobility in retail logistics. Virya becomes an integral part in brining that to life.
2023
Parkwind Divestiture
Virya Energy divests from Parkwind having brought the company to 1GW of installed capacity. It consolidates its focus to onshore wind, solar and hydrogen technologies and developing “fit for purpose” sustainable energy solutions.
2023
DATS 24 Moves To Virya
The move of DATS 24 from the Colruyt Group to Virya brought DATS 24 distribution and energy supply knowhow to Virya’s overall energy offering.
2024
FID Hyoffwind
Final investment decision reached for HyOffWind project, securing development of Belgium’s first industrial-scale green hydrogen facility in Zeebrugge.
Our shareholders
Meet our backers
Virya Energy brings together the energy-related activities of our shareholders together. Both the Colruyt Group and Korys have a long history of sustainable investment and business practices. The Colruyt Group has been able to create the lowest carbon footprint of any retailer in Belgium while Korys has close to 20 years of impact investment in areas of energy, health, and retail.
