Arnhem-Nijmegen region finalizes ambitious plan to accelerate sustainable energy transition
Residents in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region can expect faster progress toward sustainable energy as 16 municipalities, water boards, and the province of Gelderland unveil RES 2.0. The plan aims to eliminate fossil fuels, boost renewable energy, and reduce household energy costs by 2030.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | Arnhem-Nijmegen (Green Metropolitan Region) |
| Partners | 16 municipalities, 3 water boards, Province of Gelderland, Liander |
| Target (2030) | 1.62 terawatt hours (TWh) of sustainable energy |
| Current Progress | 1.32 TWh achieved (solar parks, wind turbines) |
| Remaining Goal | 0.30 TWh (new wind turbine locations needed) |
| Heat Transition | Shift from natural gas to residual heat (e.g., from waste incinerators AVR/ARN) |
| Public Consultation | Draft RES open for feedback; adjustments made based on responses |
| Next Steps | Local energy system integration, faster home sustainability measures |
The Green Metropolitan Region Arnhem-Nijmegen, alongside local governments and grid operator Liander, is responsible for implementing the Regional Energy Strategy (RES). Their role involves coordinating sustainable energy projects, ensuring regional energy independence, and facilitating the transition away from fossil fuels.
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Read the full translated article below
RES 2.0: Plan for sustainable energy in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region is ready
In the Green Metropolitan Region of Arnhem-Nijmegen, 16 municipalities, 3 water boards, the province of Gelderland, and grid operator Liander are working together on sustainable energy. We are doing this with a Regional Energy Strategy (RES).
The RES includes:
- How we stop using natural gas and oil (fossil fuels)
- How we switch to sustainable electricity and heat
- What we need for this
RES 1.0: what have we already done?
In 2021, we created RES 1.0. We agreed: by 2030, we will jointly generate 1.62 terawatt hours of sustainable power. We do this with solar parks and wind turbines. Now, there are already various projects completed or in preparation. These projects together provide 1.32 terawatt hours of power. But we still need to do more. We still need 0.30 terawatt hours. We are looking for solutions for this. In the future, we want to no longer heat our homes with natural gas. We are looking together for other heat sources in the region. The companies that burn waste (AVR and ARN) have excess heat. We are discussing with each other how we can distribute this residual heat in the region.
RES 2.0: what will we do differently?
The Netherlands needs to work faster on sustainable energy. In RES 1.0, it was mainly about electricity from the sun and wind and the distribution of residual heat. RES 2.0 goes further. We are now also looking at the coherence in the entire energy system: sustainable power, heat, and the cables and pipes that make this possible. In this energy system, the demand for energy and the supply of energy come closer together. The system is no longer only centrally regulated but works at the local level. This way, we can use electricity and heat better.
How will we finish the rest?
For the remaining 0.30 terawatt hours of sustainable power, among other things, new locations for wind turbines are needed. We have investigated where this can be done. In 2023, we conducted research (planMER) into the environmental impacts of wind turbines and solar parks. Where can we build them? And what does that mean for nature and the environment? Some municipalities have now chosen new locations for wind turbines. These are included in RES 2.0. We want to get houses off natural gas faster. Therefore, we are making a plan (vision) for the region together. This plan helps municipalities to make houses more sustainable, cheaper, and faster. We will also cooperate more.
Reactions
At the beginning of December, the Draft RES was made public. Everyone could read it and respond. All reactions have been collected and answered in a document. This document is called: Response Document. Some reactions have been used to adjust the RES. And now the RES 2.0 is final.