In Utrecht, citizens build their future heating solutions

For European cities, energy independence means having more control over their own future. It reduces dependence on other countries, helps keep energy prices stable, supports climate goals, strengthens resilience, and boosts local economies. Energy independence is key to long-term stability and sustainability.

The Dutch city of Utrecht shows how a municipality can lead this change while putting citizens at the centre of the process.

Utrecht’s vision: phasing out natural gas by 2050

In Utrecht, the heat transition vision aims to phase out natural gas by 2050 as part of both national climate goals and its own sustainability agenda. Today, about 130,000 buildings in Utrecht still use natural gas for heating and hot water. Adopting fossil-free energy systems requires careful planning and investment, and the city of Utrecht also wants this transition to be shaped by and for residents.

The Utrecht Heat Transition Vision outlines the overall strategy for moving away from gas. It includes neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood planning, energy savings, and alternative heat sources. Neighbourhoods decide locally how they will transition, which might include district heating, heat pumps, or other sustainable systems aligned with residents’ needs and the local built environment. This neighbourhood planning supports the emergence of Local Energy Communities (LECs) to drive the heat transition from the heart of the districts. These are groups of residents who organise themselves to help lead the transition in their area. The municipality supports them with policy guidance, data, and coordination with the wider city strategy. Together, the city and residents work to make new heating systems affordable, fair, and suited to local needs.

Three neighbourhoods leading the way

This is already happening in three neighbourhoods: Noordoost, Lunetten, and Oog in Al.

In each of the three neighbourhoods, Local Energy Communities (LECs) form the backbone of the heat transition. They work closely with the municipality, sharing roles and responsibilities. Residents are not just informed, they actively help design their future heating systems.

Although each neighbourhood is different, they share one goal: replacing individual gas boilers with fossil-free heating systems designed by and for residents.

Noordoost: A large-scale social energy neighbourhood in the making

Noordoost is a large area with around 40,000 residents spread across 11 districts. The local energy transition is led by the cooperative Grifstroom, founded in 2023 to give residents a stronger voice in city planning. Grifstroom aims to create a “social energy neighbourhood.” This means combining sustainable heating, solar energy, and energy-saving measures with social goals, such as inclusion and affordability. Residents helped develop the neighbourhood’s energy vision through meetings, workshops, and community working groups. The cooperative has outlined different options for future heating systems, including ideas about ownership and participation.

Read more about Noordoost

Lunetten and Oog in Al: smaller neighbourhoods in action

Smaller neighbourhoods, such as Lunetten (5,000 residents) and Oog in Al (3,000 residents), are also driving the city’s transition.

In Lunetten, the local initiative Warm Lunetten works with the municipality to explore a sustainable district heating system. The group has organised energy-saving activities, neighbourhood heat scans, energy ambassadors supporting collective insulation efforts, preliminary heating scenario studies, and the development of a neighbourhood energy sketch. The initiative is also exploring pathways to evolve into a heat community to deepen their heat solutions work.

Read more about Lunetten

In Oog in Al, the initiative Oog voor Warmte is also working with the city on plans for district heating. The local cooperative aims to finalise its Community Energy Project Plan this year to strengthen its organisation and secure financing for the next steps.

Read more about Oof in Al

Utrecht’s approach, combining robust policy, local planning, and resident engagement, demonstrates that energy independence for cities is achievable when municipalities and residents collaborate. The Utrecht model offers inspiration for an energy transition led by local communities.

Read more inspiring Local Energy Communities’ stories: Dulbin-Balbriggan (IE) Strasbourg (FR)