Questions and answers about natural gas-free living

The fact is that the Netherlands is running out of natural gas and we have agreed that by 2050 the entire "built environment" must be natural gas-free. 

In the MoVe2030 questionnaire we asked residents to participate in thinking about natural gas-free living. The questionnaire also offered residents the opportunity to ask questions about sustainability, which was frequently used. For example, questions were asked about the speed of the timeline of the transition to natural gas-free living, about financing and about citizen input in this process.

We have collected the most frequently asked questions and most common responses. We have listed our answers to these: 

The gas doesn't run out!

The Netherlands does run out of natural gas. Just like in many other countries. The natural gas tap in Groningen also closed in 2022, leaving us dependent on a few small gas fields in the Netherlands and abroad, such as gas from Russia.

The question is whether we want to be dependent on other countries for heating our homes. On top of that, with an increasing scarcity of a resource, we can expect the price to only increase in the future as well. Therefore, phasing out gas is a financially sound position.

Why not insulate all houses in the Netherlands first?

The first step is to insulate your home to save energy. The cost of this can be recovered within a few years. But we won't make it with that alone. We will have to do more to stop global warming. Hence, in addition to insulating, we need to take other steps to becomeCO2 neutral and thus fossil free. 

Can the government force me to go off the gas. If so, will I be compensated?

There are currently no legal options to force neighborhoods to become natural gas-free. Municipalities are not (yet) allowed to unilaterally stop the gas supply. A change in the law is currently being prepared that will expand the powers of municipalities, but it is still uncertain exactly how and when these powers will be established. This is independent of funding, subsidy or compensation.

There are no ongoing projects in my area with realizing other energy sources. What next?

You can ask your municipality if and when projects are planned or take the initiative yourself with a street/neighborhood. 

What is the alternative?

The Heat Transition Vision identifies the best alternative to natural gas for each neighborhood. The alternative is chosen on the basis of total social costs. So not (yet) based on the costs for the individual owner of a house or building. It also indicates which neighborhoods have the best opportunities and where to start making an implementation plan. 

  • if plans are not yet in place or being made for your neighborhood, you can insulate your home, use a higher-efficiency high-efficiency boiler or a hybrid heat pump with a high-efficiency boiler until you move to a natural gas alternative.
  • Collective (with the whole neighborhood or district together) solutions like heat networks are rolled out by neighborhood or district, and individual solutions like heat pumps often are. Because the energy infrastructure and your connection to it must be adapted.

Why don't we use hydrogen?

Why we cannot currently commit to using hydrogen instead of natural gas to heat our homes is well explained on the Hier Opgewekt website

Will the municipality collectively address neighborhoods that are all currently on natural gas? Or will this be done individually?

Alternatively, for the next 10 years, we are looking at:

  • an individual heat pump. 
  • a collective heat grid with a renewable source that provides more than 70 degrees of heat to the heat grid.
  • a collective heat grid with a low-temperature heat source that is reheated with a heat pump for hot water and space heating. Sometimes renewable cold is also supplied here.

The cost of this transition is many times higher than importing gas, or compensating residents in Groningen for defects in their homes. Why not work on that first?

By importing gas, we do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And that is precisely the goal of the Climate Agreement.

Compensation for damage caused by natural gas extraction is necessary but does not contribute to the goal of the Climate Agreement.
Further delaying this transition carries with it the real risk that the increase in climate change will cause severe negative consequences in society. In addition to human suffering, the financial costs of this will be many times greater than the costs of this transition. Consider, for example, the severe flooding that occurred in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium in 2021. 

I am remodeling an old house. What choice should I make now? Insulating and floor heating makes sense, but for the rest?

Have you already visited the WoonWijzerWinkel for advice? There you will not only get advice, but you can also check out the alternatives. 

Where can I find more information and answers about natural gas-free living?

Do you have other questions about natural gas-free living? Then also check out the digital energy desk New Energy Limburg