Cooperation Agreement for the Public Heating Utility in the Leiden Region
Six municipalities, including Voorschoten, signed a cooperation agreement today with Nationale Deelneming Warmte (NDW, a subsidiary of Energie Beheer Nederland) and network operator Alliander. In the agreement, they agree to collaborate on the establishment of a regional public heating company.
The Leiden region aims to phase out the use of natural gas by 2050. A regional heating network plays an important role in this effort. In the Leiden region, some 10,000 households in Leiden, Leiderdorp, and Oegstgeest are already connected to a district heating network. In the future, the public heating utility will build the district heating network and supply heat, which could serve as many as 100,000 households and businesses.
Support and Points to Consider
Over the past few months, the municipal councils of Katwijk, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest, Voorschoten, and Zoeterwoude, along with NDW and Alliander, have collaborated on the plans. In doing so, they were able to share their wishes and areas of concern. There is broad support for moving forward with the next steps. At the same time, there are also areas of concern. These primarily relate to the financing of the district heating network, affordability for residents, and the influence—particularly of smaller municipalities—on the implementation.
Start of the preparatory phase
The signing of the cooperation agreement marks the start of the preparatory phase. During this phase, the plans for the public heating utility will be further developed, and key issues will be examined in greater detail. An important step is the preparation of a business plan, which outlines how the heating utility will be organized and how it will be funded. Once the municipalities, NDW, and Alliander have approved this business plan and the necessary financial resources, the heating utility can be established. This is expected to take place in 2027.
Municipal Heating Programs
At the same time, the municipalities are continuing to work on their heating programs. These programs outline how municipalities will insulate homes and buildings and transition them away from natural gas, which districts and neighborhoods will phase out natural gas over the next ten years, and how they will do so. The municipalities also identify which districts would benefit most from a district heating network.
Role of the National Government
New legislation has given municipalities more responsibilities and authority regarding the heat transition. Nevertheless, the municipalities, NDW, and Alliander believe that the national government continues to play an important role. The cabinet must ensure favorable conditions so that the regional heat network can be built. This will require additional financial support.
More information
For more information, visit the Warmte Leidse Regio website at .