According to the Bank’s website, the project consists of an investment programme for the expansion of a fifth generation district heating and cooling network system supplied by underground waters from closed coal mines in the Province of Limburg (NL). It consists in the drilling of five hot wells (690-735 m depth) and four cold wells (250-270 m depth), as well as the lay-out of 61.6 kms of network.

In line with the EU and national renewable energy targets, the investment plan will mostly substitute individual gas heating with a more sustainable and efficient centralised heating/cooling system, resulting in primary energy savings and reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases.

The project will also contribute to progressing early-deployment of fifth generation district heating and cooling network in Europe, thus contributing to learning-by-doing and positive knowledge externalities.

Overall, the environmental impacts of the Project are expected to be minor and related mainly to noise, vibration, dust, and traffic disruption, and mostly temporary during the construction, which are expected to be mitigated through appropriate site organisation and construction management.

The specific impacts related to geothermal drilling, such as aquifer contamination, air emissions or potential blow-outs are also expected to be limited with appropriate mitigation measures.

The Project’s physical climate risk has been assessed as low as it is located away from forestry areas and main rivers, based on the Promoter’s information.

Based on the information available at this stage, the Project is expected to have minor negative residual impacts.

Mijnwater provides sustainable heating and cooling of homes and other buildings in Parkstad. 

No contacts available at the time of disclosure.

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