Start of cross-border project CROSS_HEAT

The logo of Interreg Cross_Heat of the Meuse-Rhine region.

From August 2025, the new cross-border Interreg project called CROSS_HEAT will begin. This project is a collaboration between the Dutch municipalities of Kerkrade and Landgraaf and the German municipality of Herzogenrath. Various knowledge institutions and regional partners are also participating.

The goal of CROSS_HEAT is to use residual heat from factories for sustainable heating in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. Residual heat is heat that would otherwise be lost. 

What is happening in this project?

The project will last three years (from August 2025 to July 2028). During that time, the partners will investigate whether a cross-border heat grid between Herzogenrath, Kerkrade and Landgraaf is possible. In doing so, they are looking at, among other things:

  • How waste heat from industry can be used in homes and buildings.
  • Inventory of geothermal resources and heat storage in former mining structures
  • Technical plans and calculations for a heat grid.
  • Rules and agreements needed to organize this properly.
  • How the project can be paid for and who invests in it.

Residents, business owners and other stakeholders are actively involved, for example through information evenings, neighborhood meetings and a special information point.

Why is CROSS_HEAT important?

In the Euroregion, about half of total energy consumption comes from heating. Yet we still use less sustainable heat here than in many other European countries. With CROSS_HEAT, the partners want to improve this. The project contributes to:

  • Sustainable heat supply: Utilizing waste heat increases regional sustainability.
  • Cost efficiency and energy security: Less dependence on fossil fuels and more stable, lower heat rates.
  • Climate and health: Less carbon emissions make for cleaner air and a healthier living environment.
  • Economic growth: Innovative heat infrastructure stimulates employment and SME innovation. 

Who will participate?

The project is led by the municipality of Kerkrade. Other partners are: municipality of Landgraaf, city of Herzogenrath, City Region Parkstad Limburg, Städteregion Aachen, Maastricht University, ITEM Institute, Fraunhofer IEG, NRW.ENERGY4CLIMATE, VITO NV and Cluster TWEED.