Netherlands energy infrastructure legal developments

Legal developments in the Netherlands have cleared the way for significant energy infrastructure projects in the Randstad region.

In August, the Council of State dismissed objections to the WarmtelinQ network, a 25-kilometre underground heat pipeline designed to transport waste heat from Rotterdam harbour to approximately 120,000 homes and businesses. Despite rising costs from an initial €650 million to over €1.1 billion, project sponsors indicated that financing is sufficient following additional funding from the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth.

In September, the Raad van State upheld geothermal exploration permits in the Leiden area, specifically for the Rijnland, Oude Rijn, Leiden 2, and Leiden 3 regions. The court rejected objections from the province of Zuid-Holland and the water company Dunea, who argued that geothermal activities could jeopardize the drinking water supply. The ruling established that because these exploration permits could eventually lead to extraction, the interested parties have the right to object to the process.