Regional Energy Strategy (RES)
What is a Regional Energy Strategy (RES)?
The cabinet presented the Climate Agreement in 2019. In it, numerous parties made agreements to reduce CO2 emissions by 49% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and by 95% by 2050. This means that in NL we are transitioning from fossil fuels such as natural gas and petroleum to renewable sources such as solar and wind. These national agreements are translated by thirty regions in NL into regional goals and measures. Each region draws up an RES for this purpose, a Regional Energy Strategy, including the Holland Rijnland region, which includes Voorschoten. The Holland Rijnland region includes thirteen municipalities, the West-Holland Environmental Service, the Rijnland Water Board, and the Province of Zuid-Holland.
An RES brings together the strategic visions for the energy transition of the municipalities, province, and water boards within a region. These cover the entire energy system, focusing primarily on reducing grid congestion (the situation where electricity demand exceeds grid capacity), transitioning to renewable heat, and generating more renewable electricity. An RES does not stand alone: all RESs together must also align with one another.
Generating renewable energy
Holland Rijnland aims to generate 1.14 TWh of renewable energy by 2030. This combines energy from solar panels and wind turbines. The Regional Energy Strategy (RES 1.0) outlines goals for this. Municipalities work together to find suitable locations for solar and wind energy and to set up renewable energy projects.
Holland Rijnland reported that we have only achieved 19% of the renewable electricity target so far. This means the region still has a long way to go to reach 1.14 TWh of renewable electricity by 2030.
The contribution of Voorschoten to generating renewable energy
Voorschoten is committed to generating as much renewable energy as possible via solar panels. Over 30% of small roofs in Voorschoten have solar panels, which is roughly comparable to the rest of NL. However, for large roofs (larger than 70 m²), this percentage is lower: in 2023, only 5% of these roofs had solar panels. To improve this, the municipality will actively approach owners of buildings with large roofs. Voorschoten is also exploring opportunities for small-scale solar energy generation in rural areas (solar fields) or in large parking lots (solar carports) as an additional contribution to regional renewable energy targets.
The Province of Zuid-Holland is responsible for wind turbine projects exceeding 5 MW. The province is currently investigating which locations are suitable for wind turbines, and municipalities may suggest potential sites. Because a large part of the rural area in Voorschoten holds protected status, Voorschoten did not propose locations for wind energy.
Stimulation and support
For owners of large roofs, the municipality offers support for installing solar panels, such as subsidies and advice on technical and financial matters. In collaboration with business associations and park managers, the municipality encourages business parks to actively participate in sustainable initiatives. Additionally, the municipality is exploring the development of energy hubs to collectively utilize generated electricity.
Renewable heat for buildings
An important part of the energy transition is utilizing renewable heat sources such as geothermal energy and waste heat from the Port of Rotterdam. These heat sources can be used in a regional heat network, reducing our reliance on electricity and traditional heating systems.
Projects in Voorschoten
Voorschoten is actively involved in plans to establish a regional heat network. We are investigating how this heat network can be used to heat homes in Noord-Hofland. For this project, Voorschoten, together with the Municipality of Leiden, aims to construct a heat exchange station that can serve as a foundation for future expansions.
What this means for residents
By cooperating regionally, we can partially accommodate the growing demand for electricity by utilizing alternative sources. By using geothermal energy and waste heat, we prevent the electricity grid from becoming overloaded. For residents in neighborhoods that will eventually be connected to this heat network, this means receiving a sustainable, communal heating supply with lower CO₂ emissions.
Regional cooperation and the future
Within Holland Rijnland, municipalities work closely together to ensure that the regional energy system aligns with other objectives, such as housing development, landscape preservation, and economic growth. By making the energy network flexible and future-proof, we can achieve these ambitions together.
More information
In the course of 2025, Holland Rijnland will launch a new website providing residents with information on the progress and key developments of the energy transition.
Together, we are working towards a more sustainable, future-proof Voorschoten, where new solutions contribute to the well-being of our residents and environment. You can find more information about the municipal and regional plans here.
The cooperation within Holland Rijnland and the deployment of working groups in these three areas offers Voorschoten the opportunity to receive regional policy and support, helping to achieve its own sustainability goals.
Do you have any questions about the RES?
Please feel free to email us at duurzaam@voorschoten.nl. We will do our utmost to reply to you as soon as possible.