District Energy – Netherlands

Background

The Netherlands is entering an accelerated phase of its heat transition, with a binding target to phase out natural gas in buildings by 2050. Today, around 90% of Dutch homes still rely on gas for heating, highlighting the scale of the transition ahead. 

Clear milestones have been set:

• 1.5 million buildings to become gas-free by 2030, driven by municipal heat transition plans 

A new Heat Law (Collective Heat Act) is expected to reshape the market fundamentally, introducing:

• Mandatory majority public ownership (>50%) of new heat networks
• Stronger municipal control over planning and implementation
• Cost-based tariffs replacing the current gas-linked pricing model 

At the same time, municipalities are required to develop and implement local heat plans, identifying where district heating, electrification or other solutions will replace gas across all neighbourhoods.

Programme

An update on recent developments in the Netherlands following the adoption of the Heat Law.

Michiel De Wit, Procesmanager DH, Gemeente Súdwest-Fryslân    

• Insights from COWI based on recent experience working with Dutch stakeholders on district heating planning and implementation.

Henrik Dalsgaard, MD District Energy, COWI

• Overview of DBDH’s market development activities and upcoming joint export promotions, including the Bonanza!, highlighting opportunities in the Dutch market.

Jessica Appelmann, Energy Advisor, Embassy of Denmark in the Netherlands and Morten Jordt Duedahl, Business Development Manager, DBDH

• Discussion & knowledge-sharing session

Moderator

• Charlotte Mejlshede, Project manager, DBDH