Column by Marieke van den Boom-Witzel: Seeking warmth

Last summer, I was in France with my family. I really enjoy those beautiful little French villages. This year, a question arose that I still don't have an answer to: how would all these houses be disconnected from the gas grid? A question that came up because we are taking important steps in that direction in West Maas en Waal.

We must phase out gas by 2050

That is a national agreement, which we as a municipality must implement. In my view, the government is responsible for supplying utilities such as gas, water, and electricity. But the new way of heating homes in the future is a local responsibility.

But where do you start? 

We have started investigating the options for disconnecting homes from the gas grid. If we switch to electric heating in every home, we will have a problem, because there is not enough electricity to power it all. This means that we will explore the possibility of installing a district heating network. Research shows that the best option for this within our municipality is north of Zandstraat and west of Molenstraat. There are enough homes there to see if we can build a good system to heat the homes using water from the Waal river and heat from a large company.

We really need our residents' help with this.

This brings us to the front doors of our residents. After all, the warmth must also be brought inside the homes. That is why we started with our residents. In recent weeks, municipal employees have visited 700 homes to explain the plans. And to ask if they would like to join us. To my great delight, many residents have indicated that they want to take on this challenge together with us. This is a very important step. Because without the involvement of our residents, there is no chance of success. And when our residents think and act together with us like this, it warms my heart as an alderman.  

Marieke van den Boom - Witzel
alderwoman