Alderman promises to come up with a solution after collapsed agreements on district heating

Now that no agreements have been made about the rates for district heating, the question remains whether the city can be natural gas-free by 2040. Rutger Groot Wassink thinks that this objective is still achievable; the councilor expects to come up with a solution soon. “We are going to look at how we can compensate residents”

Is district heating still the best option for the energy transition? It was one of the big questions in the city council this afternoon. Now that there is uncertainty about future prices and negotiations between Vattenfall, housing associations and the municipality have broken down, parties in the council are divided about the future of district heating. According to Groot Wassink, the future is clear: “It is necessary that we move away from gas.”

“But it is annoying and disappointing that promises made to tenants have not been kept,” the councilor continues. “Tenants should not lose out, we as a municipality must be able to compensate them.”

Groot Wassink admits that the goal of getting rid of gas in sixteen years has not become easier. “The municipal council also wants us to do everything we can to achieve the target, but we are dependent on legislation and the ACM (Consumer and Market Authority, ed.).”

Compensation

According to the councilor, the latter party in particular can do something about the causes of the increased standing charge, which means that residents sometimes pay hundreds of euros more for district heating.

The councilor expects to soon come up with a solution to the current stalemate. “Of course we will also take a good look at what we need to ensure that the energy transition can continue properly. That we achieve the target and that we do not disadvantage tenants. This means that we will really start talking to housing associations again, Vattenfall and the central government.”