Assen accelerates sustainable heating with new district heating partnership
Residents in Assen could soon benefit from more affordable and sustainable heating as the municipality partners with housing corporation Woonservice to expand the district heating network. This move aims to reduce reliance on gas and ease pressure on energy costs for tenants.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Parties Involved | Municipality of Assen, Woonservice, Actium |
| **Number of Homes (Woonservice) | ~150 rental properties |
| **Number of Homes (Actium) | ~7,900 rental properties |
| Goal | Connect homes to district heating network; gas-free Assen by 2050 |
| Benefits | Affordable, sustainable heating; reduced strain on electricity grid |
| Timeline | Collaboration intensifies over coming years |
The municipality of Assen plays a central role in driving the city’s heat transition, coordinating with housing corporations to implement sustainable heating solutions. This collaboration aligns with national and regional goals to reduce gas dependency and promote energy efficiency.
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Warmth service and municipality join forces for district heating network
The heat transition in Assen has received a new boost. Today, we signed a letter of intent with housing corporation Woonservice to collaborate on a large-scale switch to sustainable heat. This means Woonservice is aligning with the course we previously set with Actium.
Under the agreement, the parties will intensively collaborate over the coming years to make Woonservice’s rental properties in Assen more sustainable. Connecting these homes to a future district heating network is the primary focus.
Important step towards affordable heat
Deputy Mayor Martin Rasker emphasises the importance of the collaboration: “With this letter of intent, we are taking another concrete step towards a gas-free Assen. By working together with Woonservice, we can soon provide even more residents with affordable and sustainable heat.”
Sustainable and affordable for our tenants
Janneke Klijn, interim director and board member of Woonservice: “We believe it is important that our tenants can rely on a sustainable, comfortable and affordable way to heat their homes. By joining forces with the municipality, we can future-proof our properties.”
Woonservice joins earlier agreements with Actium
Woonservice has around 150 rental properties in Assen. The municipality already signed a letter of intent with Actium in September, the largest housing corporation in the city with approximately 7,900 homes. With Woonservice’s involvement, a broader collaboration is formed that strengthens Assen’s heat transition.
Why this matters for the region
- Assen aims to be fully gas-free by 2050. Collaboration with housing corporations is crucial to achieving this goal.
- District heating networks are seen as a promising solution in many neighbourhoods, according to the municipality’s Heat Transition Vision.
- Tenants gain access to affordable alternatives at a time when energy prices and grid congestion are major topics in the news.
- The collaboration reflects a regional trend where municipalities and housing corporations increasingly work together to enable district heating networks.
What is a district heating network?
A district heating network is an underground pipeline system through which hot water flows. This water heats homes and provides hot tap water for showers, eliminating the need for a central heating boiler. It is often cheaper than alternatives like heat pumps and places less strain on the electricity grid.