Amersfoort biomass heating faces sustainability and legal scrutiny

The heat transition in Amersfoort, Netherlands, is facing scrutiny regarding the sustainability and legality of its biomass supply chain. Investigations reveal discrepancies in the sourcing of wood used for heating. While local authorities and heat companies previously promised that more than 70 percent of biomass would be sourced within a 50-kilometer radius, the parent company, Energie voor Elkaar, now cites a radius of up to 500 kilometers.

Concerns have been raised regarding the reliability of sustainability certifications. In 2024, it was discovered that a biomass storage site in Hall had been operating for over a year without being registered with the certifying body, Normec QS. Furthermore, reports indicated that Energie voor Elkaar imported shipments of timber from Scotland in 2022 without proper sustainability certificates, contradicting claims of using local wood.

Legal challenges also threaten operations. A court ruled in May 2025 that two major biomass plants in Amersfoort require environmental permits due to nitrogen emissions, which the province of Utrecht had previously argued were unnecessary. The province has appealed this decision, and the plants face potential closure if the ruling stands. Amidst these developments, Valentijn Kleijnen, a key figure in the local heat network, has stepped down from his position at Warmtebedrijf Amersfoort.