Regional Energy Strategy (RES)
What is a Regional Energy Strategy (RES)?
In 2019, the government presented the Climate Agreement. In it, a large number of parties agreed to reduce CO2 emissions by 49% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and by 95% by 2050. This means that in the Netherlands, we are transitioning from fossil fuels such as natural gas and petroleum to renewable sources such as solar and wind power. These national agreements are being translated into regional goals and measures by thirty regions in the Netherlands. Each region is drawing up a RES—a Regional Energy Strategy—including the Holland Rijnland region, which includes Voorschoten. The Holland Rijnland region comprises thirteen municipalities, the West-Holland Environmental Agency, the Rijnland Water Board, and the province of South Holland.
A RES brings together the strategic visions for the energy transition of the municipalities, the province, and the water boards in a region. These visions cover the entire energy system, focusing in particular on reducing grid congestion (the situation in which demand for electricity exceeds the grid’s capacity), transitioning to sustainable heat, and generating more sustainable electricity. An RES does not stand alone: all RESs must also be aligned with one another.
Generating Sustainable Energy
Holland Rijnland aims to generate 1.14 TWh of renewable energy by 2030. This will come from a combination of solar panels and wind turbines. The Regional Energy Strategy (RES 1.0) sets out targets for this. Municipalities are working together to identify suitable locations for solar and wind energy and to set up renewable energy projects.
Holland Rijnland reported that, so far, we have achieved only 19% of our renewable electricity target. This means that, as a region, we still have a long way to go to reach 1.14 TWh of renewable electricity by 2030.
Voorschoten's Contribution to Renewable Energy Generation
Voorschoten is committed to generating as much renewable energy as possible through solar panels. More than 30% of small roofs in Voorschoten have solar panels, which is about the same as in the rest of the Netherlands. For large roofs (larger than 70 m²), however, this percentage is lower: in 2023, only 5% of these roofs had solar panels. To improve this, the municipality will actively reach out to 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 goals.
The province of South Holland is responsible for wind energy projects involving turbines with a capacity exceeding 5 MW. The province is currently assessing which locations are suitable for wind turbines, and municipalities are invited to propose potential sites. Because a large portion of Voorschoten’s rural areas has protected status, Voorschoten did not propose any locations for wind energy.
Encouragement and Support
For owners of large roofs, the municipality offers support for the installation of solar panels, for example through grants and advice on technical and financial matters. In collaboration with business associations and park managers, the municipality encourages business parks to actively participate in sustainability initiatives. In addition, the municipality is exploring the development of energy hubs to enable the shared use of generated electricity.
Sustainable Heat for Buildings
An important part of the energy transition is the use of sustainable heat sources such as geothermal energy (earth heat) and waste heat from the Port of Rotterdam. These heat sources can be used in a regional heat network, reducing our dependence on electricity and traditional heating systems.
Projects in Voorschoten
Voorschoten is actively involved in plans to establish a regional heat network. We are exploring how we can use this heat network to heat homes in Noord-Hofland. For this project, Voorschoten plans to work with the municipality of Leiden to build a heat transfer station that we can use as a basis for further expansions.
What this means for residents
By working together with the region, we can partially meet the growing demand for electricity by using other sources. By utilizing geothermal energy and waste heat, we prevent the power grid from becoming overburdened. For residents in neighborhoods that will eventually be connected to this district heating network, this means they will have access to a sustainable, shared heating system that produces fewer CO₂ emissions.
Regional Cooperation and the Future
In Holland Rijnland, municipalities work closely together to ensure that the regional energy system aligns with other priorities, such as housing development, landscape conservation, and economic growth. By making the energy network flexible and future-ready, we can achieve these goals together.
More information
Sometime in 2025, Holland Rijnland will launch a new website providing residents with information about the progress and key developments in the energy transition.
Together, we are working toward a more sustainable Voorschoten that is ready for the future, where new solutions contribute to the well-being of our residents and the environment. You can find more information about the municipality’s and the region’s plans here.
Collaboration within Holland Rijnland and the establishment of working groups in these three areas offer Voorschoten the opportunity to benefit from regional policy and support, which will help it achieve its own sustainability goals.
Do you have any questions about the RES?
Please feel free to email us atduurzaam@voorschoten.nl or. We'll do our best to respond as soon as possible.