Collaboration Among Municipalities in the Leiden Region for Sustainable, Reliable, and Affordable Heat

The municipal councils of the Leiden region have submitted the council proposal titled “Cooperation on the Heat Transition in the Leiden Region and Residual Heat via WarmtelinQ+” to the municipal councils of the six municipalities for adoption. In this proposal, Leiden, Katwijk, Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest, Voorschoten, and Zoeterwoude express their desire to collaborate more closely on the heat transition. Voorschoten Councilwoman Erika Spil: “To ensure we can continue to heat our homes in the future, we need to start thinking about this now. Regional cooperation on this heat transition is important because, in addition to local solutions, we are also seeking regional solutions. In the coming months, we will engage in dialogue with residents to hear what they consider feasible and affordable.”

The reason six municipalities in the Leiden region are collaborating is the opportunity to utilize affordable and sustainable heat from the Port of Rotterdam via a future transmission network called “WarmtelinQ+.” Waste incineration in the Port of Rotterdam releases residual heat. This heat can be used to heat water, which can then be transported throughout the region via a large pipeline. In the future, this pipeline will enable homes and commercial buildings to be heated in a sustainable manner. Residual heat is therefore one of the best alternatives to natural gas.

An open network allows for various options

In addition to residual heat from Rotterdam, geothermal energy is also expected to become available to the region in the coming years. Geothermal energy consists of hot water located at a depth of approximately two kilometers within the Earth’s crust. This water can be pumped to the surface and used as a heat source. The six municipal councils see WarmtelinQ+ as an opportunity to establish an open heat network for the region to which various heat sources can be connected. This brings the goals of the energy transition one step closer and also creates multiple options for end users.

Collaboration and Affordability

A proposal has been made to the municipal councils of the municipalities involved to collaborate on the heat transition. The proposal also calls for the six municipalities to make a financial commitment in the form of a one-time payment totaling 2 million euros for the period through the end of 2022, distributed among the six municipalities based on population. These funds are intended for research into an open regional heat network with the introduction of WarmtelinQ+. In addition, the feasibility of establishing a joint investment fund is being explored, in line with the role of local governments in the heat transition. If the outcome is positive, this will be further developed for the period after 2023. The six municipalities continue to call on the national government to make a substantial financial contribution, so that the plans remain affordable for residents and businesses.