Province of Limburg takes firm control for future-proof energy infrastructure

In Limburg, everyone should be able to use energy that is sustainable, reliable, and affordable to meet basic needs in the future.

This requires a functional and future-proof energy system. The Province of Limburg is taking firm control of the approach to avoid grid congestion (an overcrowded power grid) and to ensure a future-proof energy infrastructure. The Provincial Executive therefore adopted the Provincial Multi-year Programme Infrastructure Energy and Climate (pMIEK 2.0) on 1 April. This programme provides the direction for choices made in energy projects of great social importance.

Crucial importance for Limburg

This programme has been jointly developed by the Province of Limburg with Enexis, TenneT, Gasunie, the Northern and Central Limburg municipalities via the Regional Energy Strategy for Northern and Central Limburg and the municipalities in Southern Limburg. The pMIEK programme concerns energy infrastructure projects of great social importance for Limburg, e.g. Warmtenet Zuid-Limburg (heating network for Southern Limburg, 380kV Eindhoven-Maasbracht and new high-voltage stations in various regions. For Limburg, these projects have been selected based on necessity, the added value they provide to social goals, integration into the energy system and the physical living environment. Various developments such as the housing programme, industrial sustainability, the Einstein Telescope and the Limburg Defence Proposition have been included.

Marc van Caldenberg, member of the Provincial Executive says: "This multi-year programme has been created through constructive and broadly supported cooperation with municipalities and grid operators. We are working together, and this joint approach is required. The enormous energy transition is a social task in which everyone has a certain role: residents, other authorities, grid operators and companies. Realising a sufficient and timely energy infrastructure and transport capacity is of crucial importance for Limburg. Not only for our residents but also for companies that have prepared sustainability plans which require more electricity. By using less gas, coal and CO2, the way in which the energy system is organised will change. This goes hand in hand with a future-proof energy infrastructure but requires a radically different approach. In view of its role and social responsibility, the Province of Limburg is therefore committed to the realisation of various projects as soon as possible, in cooperation with the grid operators. All of this, of course, taking into account the applicable procedures concerning liveability and environmental quality."

The pMIEK status indicates that a project is of such great social importance that it is essential for all parties to jointly strive for timely realisation. These projects will also be given extra priority in the consideration of the investment plans of grid operators. Although this programme does not guarantee timely realisation, the Province of Limburg maximises its efforts to take control of the energy infrastructure together with municipalities and grid operators, for the benefit of social developments in Limburg.