The municipal council of gemeente De Fryske Marren has taken a significant step toward a sustainable future by deciding to actively support district heating networks and, in some cases, co-initiate their development. The council resolved to shift its approach from a “responsive government” to a “legitimate government” for new citizen initiatives and a “collaborative government” for promising and feasible initiatives within the municipality.
Not all initiatives are equally viable due to financial or technical reasons. Based on feasibility and developments, new initiatives can grow to become promising initiative and be considered “golden initiatives”. Current golden initiatives include ongoing pilots, such as the Large-Scale Pilot in Terherne, which is part of the WaterWarmth (Interreg North Sea).
Why This Decision?
This decision aligns with the Climate Agreement, which mandates that the built environment must be free of natural gas by 2050. The new approach offers:
✅ Clear frameworks in which initiatives can thrive.
✅ A focus on safeguarding equality and legitimacy.
✅ Support through subsidies, knowledge sharing, and policy frameworks.
✅ Opportunities for active steering toward achieving objectives.
What Does This Mean for Residents and Businesses?
This new approach shifts the focus beyond simply leaving initiatives to the community. It also allows the municipality to actively participate when projects are deemed promising. Furthermore, this new role ensures:
• Transparency regarding the municipal approach, providing clarity for initiators, residents, civil servants, other governments, and stakeholders.
• Policy frameworks that enable heating companies to establish and operate, and the municipality to take a participatory role in heating ventures.
• A sustainable foundation for participation, collaboration, and legally sound operations.
A Step Forward in the Heat Transition
Since adopting its Heat Vision in 2021, De Fryske Marren has been committed to a future of affordable and sustainable heating solutions. This shift builds on that foundation, creating a structure where community initiatives can truly flourish.