But according to De Jonge, implementation is not going very smoothly, given the deadlines stated in the law. He is not afraid that “before you know it, all those gas networks will be pulled out of the ground. It will happen at a completely different pace.” The law now before us should encourage municipalities to provide neighborhoods with clarity well in advance about the year in which they will switch off natural gas, so that everyone knows where they stand and all those involved can prepare, says the minister.
To combat climate change, the Netherlands wants to stop using fossil fuels such as gas and focus on alternatives such as solar energy, heat pumps and residual heat. There must be CO2 neutrality by 2050. The new law is “one piece of the puzzle” to get started. De Jonge does not think it is a coercive law. He points out that people in such a designated district are not obliged to be connected to a heating network, for example, if they do not want to be. They can also choose other sustainable energy. But an energy supplier is ultimately no longer allowed to supply gas in that district, according to De Jonge.
Several parties fear that the transition will cause people to incur higher costs. Parties such as GroenLinks-PvdA and the Christian Union submitted proposals to combat the financial uncertainties associated with the transition. Jetten has already come up with adjustments, about which the parties have different views. The minister points out that the gas price will only increase in the coming years and if action is not taken in time, people will actually lose more money.
Not everyone is connected to heating networks. A heating network is expected to be best for a third of residents, Jetten said. He thinks that the gas networks will not simply be removed, because they may be able to be used for green gas later. This is gas that is created by the fermentation of vegetable, fruit and garden waste and manure.
