EBN and Shell joining geothermal heat consortium in the Netherlands
Leeuwarden Canal, Netherlands (source: flickr/ rubenholthuijsen, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
7 Jan 2020
Energie Beheer Nederlands (EBN) and oil company Shell are joining a geothermal heat consortium in Leeuwarden, Netherlands that plans development of geothermal heating projects locally.
State-owned Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN) and Shell Geothermie are joining the Warmte van Leeuwarden consortium to help further realize the existing geothermal heat project in Leeuwarden. The project will make an important contribution to making Leeuwarden’s heat demand more sustainable.
As original operator, ECW has decided to concentrate fully on energy and water applications at Agriport and in Andijk. Shell Geothermal will take over the role of ECW within the consortium. EBN uses its knowledge and expertise in the subsurface and is involved in that capacity as a non-executive partner. The required heat network is developed by Ennatuurlijk. The consortium will consist of the partners EBN, Ennatuurlijk, Shell and initiator Bouwgroep Dijkstra Draisma.
Important contribution to climate ambitions
Geothermal energy is a promising sustainable energy source and can make an important contribution to the sustainable heat supply in the Netherlands. For example, it is estimated that by 2050, geothermal energy can provide a quarter of the heat demand for houses, buildings, horticulture and light industry in the Netherlands. One geothermal heat source can provide 6,000 homes with heat. Collaborations such as Warmte van Leeuwarden are of great importance to realize the climate ambitions in the Dutch climate agreement.
As a state participation, EBN implements parts of the climate and energy policy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. EBN plays a key role in connecting private and public parties in the energy sector and has the ambition to accelerate the energy transition.
Making heat supply more sustainable
Shell sees good opportunities in the Netherlands for the use of geothermal energy to make its heat supply more sustainable. Shell Geothermal has knowledge and expertise of the subsurface, the extraction of energy and the realization of large projects. With geothermal heat projects like in Leeuwarden, Shell wants to contribute to the Dutch energy transition.
The Frisian consortium WvL has two concessions for geothermal energy near Leeuwarden. In one of them, west of Goutum, an exploratory drilling is planned for this year. The consortium gives itself another three months to get enough customer contracts for the heat.
Source: Warmte van Leeuwarden
