Zoetermeer natural gas-free

Heat vision

The municipality of Zoetermeer is working step by step towards a future without natural gas. In 2021, the municipality, together with residents, organizations, and local initiatives, drew up the Heat Vision (also known as the Heat Transition Vision). This vision outlines a good way for each neighborhood to phase out natural gas.

A lot has changed since 2021. New laws, such as the Environment Act and the Collective Heating Act, give municipalities a clear role in shaping the living environment and the transition to sustainable heating. We now know more about sustainable heating, energy saving, and the space required for installations in cities. The power grid has also become more congested. As a result, all municipalities in the Netherlands must adjust their plans.

In 2026, we will draw up a new plan: the Heating Program. This plan will outline how we will transition to sustainable heating. We will explain the choices we are making, why they are important, which neighborhoods we will be working in over the next 10 years, and how we will do this.

The Heating Program is for the whole of Zoetermeer. That is why we are developing it together with residents, businesses, and organizations. What do you think is important for a natural gas-free Zoetermeer? Your ideas help us make the right choices. More information can be found on the Doemee page Heating Program: Working together towards a natural gas-free Zoetermeer | Join in Zoetermeer.

What are we going to do?

We are working step by step towards a future without natural gas. In 2026, we will draw up a new plan for this: the Heat Program. This plan sets out how we will transition to sustainable heat. We explain the choices we are making, what we consider important, and which neighborhoods we will be working in over the next 10 years.

Why a new plan?

We have been working on sustainable heating for some time. In 2021, we drew up our heating vision, which outlined effective ways for each neighborhood to transition away from natural gas. Many residents, organizations, and initiatives contributed their ideas. You can view the heating vision here: Zoetermeer Heating Vision (2021).

A lot has changed since 2021. New laws have been introduced, such as the Environment Act and the Collective Heating Act. We know more about sustainable heating, energy saving, and the use of space in the city. The power grid has also become more congested. That is why we now need to create a Heating Program.