South Limburg is being split into three heating zones, find out where your neighborhood lands

Key Takeaway

The Warmtenet Zuid-Limburg project advances with a new area-based approach. The region is divided into three clusters: Maastricht/Meerssen, Parkstad, and Westelijke Mijnstreek. Each area will get a tailored heating solution. A mix of heat sources including mine water and waste heat is being explored.

Good news for anyone wondering how we will stay warm without gas in the future: the district heating network in South Limburg just took another step forward.

The ten cooperating municipalities decided to split the region into three zones:

Maastricht and Meerssen
Parkstad (Beekdaelen, Brunssum, Heerlen, Kerkrade and Landgraaf)
Westelijke Mijnstreek (Beek, Sittard-Geleen and Stein)

Each zone will be studied to find the best heating solution, because what works in Heerlen might not work in Maastricht.

Earlier research in Zuid-Geleen showed that one single heat source (like waste heat from Chemelot industrial park) is not enough. So they are now looking at a combination: waste heat, warmth from old mine tunnels, and collective heat pumps. 🔥

The plan is to start small and grow step by step. Maybe collective heat pumps first, then bigger systems later. Residents will be informed as things become clearer.

What most people do not realize: underneath South Limburg, there are still kilometers of old mine tunnels where water flows at a constant temperature of about 28 to 35 degrees Celsius. This mine water can serve as a heat source for thousands of homes and was already successfully tested in Heerlen with the Mijnwater project, one of the first of its kind in Europe.