Dutch energy company NetVerder, plans to develop a regional heating network in South Holland. This initiative involves a broad collaboration with five municipalities, the greenhouse sector, and the province. The heating network in the Oostland region promises a significant future for 250 greenhouse horticulture entrepreneurs and offers affordable, sustainable heating for 45,000 homes, all without straining the electricity grid through electrification. The CO2 emissions saved by this project are equivalent to the annual emissions of over 250,000 cars.
Initially, horticultural entrepreneurs collaborated with a few neighbors to establish local geothermal sources. Now, they are part of a larger regional initiative with NetVerder, the heat infrastructure company, and the municipalities of Pijnacker-Nootdorp, Lansingerland, Waddinxveen, Zuidplas, Zoetermeer, along with the province. Instead of creating local solutions for each greenhouse complex, a regional heat infrastructure will be developed. This system will allow greenhouse growers, households, and heat producers to connect to a shared network, providing sustainable heat for about 250 greenhouse growers, covering approximately 1,500 hectares, and create capacity to heat around 45,000 homes. The feasibility of this project will be assessed in the coming months.
Offering solutions for overloaded grids
"Heating networks on this scale are essential to give the horticulture sector a future and to continue providing new homes with electricity and heat," says Koen Verbogt of NetVerder, which is installing the heating network. "All the energy you can deliver without electricity (but with, for example, a heating network) means more space on the electricity grid for municipalities and thus more homes."
"We are very enthusiastic about this initiative, which presents great opportunities for providing affordable and sustainable heat to homes and other buildings," says Frank van Kuppeveld, Alderman for Housing, Greenhouse Horticulture, and Energy Transition in the municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp. "However, there are still some financial arrangements that need to be sorted out in The Hague. Once that's done, we can start working with residents to plan how to connect homes to the heating network."
Households risk being left out without a financial arrangement
For greenhouse growers, the stakes are significant. They aim to be climate neutral by 2040 but face challenges such as the removal of tax benefits on gas, increasing CO2 charges, and a stalled electricity grid. Sustainable alternatives are essential. However, electrification isn't always practical in this energy-intensive sector due to the overcrowded electricity grid. The heating network provides a solution by offering affordable, reliable, and sustainable heat.
For approximately 45,000 homes in Oostland, a heating network is the most logical and cost-effective way to transition away from gas. However, many plans are stalling because the costs for residents are too high. Unlike electricity, residents are also burdened with the costs of constructing the entire network, causing more people to opt for heat pumps instead. To give the heating network a viable chance to connect homes, a fair financial solution for affordability and pre-investments in the regional heating network is urgently needed from the government.
465 kilotons of CO2 savings per year: equivalent to 250,000 cars
In Oostland, six geothermal sources are already operational and will be connected to the heating network. Additionally, 13 geothermal sources and three other sustainable sources are being developed for future connection. The total CO₂ savings from this initiative are estimated to eventually reach 465 kilotons per year, equivalent to the annual emissions of over 250,000 cars. Furthermore, the heat demand of the greenhouses in the area is comparable to that of approximately 320,000 households.
The initial work is scheduled to begin in Noordpolder (Lansingerland) and Zuidplaspolder in 2027. In the future, there are also plans to connect the Oostland heating network with WarmtelinQ, the major heat transport pipeline running from the Port of Rotterdam to The Hague.
"South Holland faces a significant housing construction challenge, and with these types of heating networks, we can provide our residents with heat during electricity shortages," says Berend Potjer, Deputy of the province of South Holland. "South Holland is the heat region in the Netherlands, offering many opportunities for heating networks along the axis of Leiden - The Hague - Rotterdam - Dordrecht."
Letter of intent signed
In mid-May, the horticulture sector, the five municipalities, the province of South Holland, and NetVerder signed a letter of intent to construct this regional heating network. NetVerder will be responsible for developing the main transport network, after which greenhouse horticulture entrepreneurs will make agreements with suppliers of sustainable heat.
Source: NetVerder