The construction of the underground heat network from Rijswijk to Leiden has come an important step closer. In the presence of Minister Rob Jetten, an agreement was signed on Monday afternoon with which the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the province of South Holland and Gasunie, as the implementing party, have officially entered into a partnership.
The parties involved expect that the first construction work will start in 2025. The first heat could then be supplied to Leiden and a number of surrounding municipalities in mid-2027.
The route connects to the heat network that will soon go from Rotterdam to The Hague. This project, which is called WarmtelinQ, uses the heat released by industrial activities in the Rotterdam port area. This heat is collected and used to heat water that is transported via an underground pipeline network via Vlaardingen, Schiedam, Midden-Delfland, Delft and Rijswijk to the existing power plant at De Constant Rebecqueplein in the Regentessekwartier in The Hague. Thanks to modern technologies, it is possible to heat up to 120,000 homes and businesses.
Some steps still need to be taken before the actual construction of the Rijswijk-Leiden route can begin. All permits must first be issued. “We have now taken up the permit process together with the province. This is being coordinated with the municipalities involved,” a Gasunie spokesperson said. Broadcasting West† During these consultations, among other things, the precise course of the pipe system is discussed.
Despite the fact that the permit process is still being completed, the provincial government already decided three weeks ago to grant a permit for this expansion to Leiden to make available an investment subsidy of 81 million euros† The ministry is adding another 22.5 million, it was announced today. Energy company Vattenfall will purchase the heat in Leiden and supply it to its customers.
The construction of the Rotterdam-The Hague route has progressed further. The first work has already started.