Heemskerk and Beverwijk explore sustainable district heating for residents
Residents in parts of Heemskerk and Beverwijk may soon switch to district heating, cutting natural gas use and reducing emissions. A feasibility study will determine if this sustainable solution is affordable and practical for households.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipalities Involved | Heemskerk, Beverwijk |
| Neighbourhoods | Beverwijk-Noord, Componistenbuurt, Schrijversbuurt (Heemskerk) |
| Partners | HVC (heat company), Woonopmaat, Pré Wonen (housing corporations) |
| Goal | Feasibility study for district heating network |
| Sustainable Heat Sources | Residual heat from businesses, geothermal energy |
| Expected Decision Timeline | End of 2026 |
| Resident Impact | Potential reduction in energy bills, lower emissions |
The municipalities of Heemskerk and Beverwijk are responsible for local energy transition policies, ensuring sustainable and affordable solutions for residents. They collaborate with housing corporations and energy providers to explore viable alternatives to natural gas.
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Municipalities of Heemskerk and Beverwijk take steps to investigate district heating in two neighbourhoods
Across the Netherlands, municipalities are working on the transition to more sustainable energy and reducing the use of natural gas. The municipalities of Heemskerk and Beverwijk are now taking the next step. They are investigating whether a district heating network could be a feasible and affordable solution for parts of both municipalities. On 26 March 2026, they signed a letter of intent to this effect with heat company HVC and housing corporations Woonopmaat and Pré Wonen. This officially launches a joint feasibility study. No decision has yet been made on construction.
Investigation in Beverwijk-Noord and Heemskerk
The study focuses on Beverwijk-Noord and the Componisten- and Schrijversbuurt neighbourhoods in Heemskerk. These areas appear to offer opportunities for a shared heat supply. A district heating network is an underground pipeline system that heats homes using warm water from a sustainable source, such as residual heat from businesses or geothermal energy. Residents would no longer need natural gas to heat their homes. This would reduce emissions and ease pressure on the electricity grid.
The housing corporations Woonopmaat and Pré Wonen are involved in this study because they own many rental properties in the areas under investigation. They are examining the possibilities for their tenants and the affordability for residents. Cooperation between municipalities, corporations and the heat company is essential to properly assess whether a district heating network is feasible here.
Careful consideration
Over the coming months, the study will examine whether a district heating network is technically possible. It will also look at the construction costs, residents' energy bills, the availability of sustainable heat sources and the organisation of the project. For the municipalities and residents, a district heating network would provide an additional way to phase out natural gas. Other (individual) solutions, such as a heat pump, will remain possible. Affordability and reliability are key conditions in the assessment.
Beverwijk alderman Suzanne Klaassen calls the study an important step. “We want to carefully investigate whether this could be a future-proof and affordable solution for these neighbourhoods. Only then will we make a decision.”
Heemskerk alderman Piet Burgering also stresses the process. “The transition to natural gas-free living requires good choices. With this study, we will clearly map out what is possible and what that means for residents.”
Decision-making by the end of 2026
The results of the feasibility study are expected by the end of 2026. Based on these, the municipalities will decide whether to proceed with further development of the plans. Residents will be kept informed throughout the process via the municipalities' websites. In the meantime, residents can already take steps to make their homes more energy-efficient, for example by improving insulation or switching to electric cooking. This often leads to immediate improvements in comfort and lower energy costs.
More information, practical tips and subsidies can be found on our website and the Duurzaam Bouwloket website.