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Supplying up to 100 kW heat

Published by:
Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO

Do you supply heat to consumers or to small businesses with a maximum connection of 100 kilowatt? And do you manage 1 or more heat grids (district or block heating)? You must adhere to the Dutch Heat Act (Warmtewet).

Registering a heat grid

Do you manage a heat grid with at least 2 users? Then, as a heat supplier, you have to register your heat grid(s) with the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM, in Dutch). You do not need to register your heat grid if you are a homeowners’ association (VvE) or landlord (lessor).

Applying for a permit

As a heat supplier you also have to apply for a permit to supply heat to the ACM (in Dutch), if:

  • you supply to more than 10 customers at the same time, ánd
  • you supply more than than 10,000 gigajoules per year

This does not apply to landlords and homeowners' associations. You can find more information on the conditions for a permit to supply heat on ACMs website (in Dutch). And you can read more on your obligations (in Dutch).

Maximum tariffs for small consumers

You can never have your customers pay more than the maximum rate (in Dutch) for:

  • measuring consumption (metering tariff)
  • heating and hot tap water
  • heating only
  • hot tap water
  • lower temperature warm tap water
  • supplying lower temperature heat
  • cooling
  • rent of a delivery set
  • connecting or disconnecting from the grid

The ACM sets the maximum tariffs each year and monitors if suppliers keep to these rates (in Dutch).

Heating agreement and invoice

As the supplier, you must enter into an agreement with your customers (in Dutch). This also applies if you do not need a permit. You must also send you customers an invoice at least once a year. The invoice must state exactly what they must pay and for which services and/or products.

Reimbursement for disruptions

If the supplying of heat is disrupted, your customers may be entitled to a reimbursement (in Dutch). Therefore you should keep records of all disruptions, so you know exactly when and how much you need to reimburse your customers for disruptions.

Measuring heat consumption

You must keep to the rules for measuring the heat consumption of your customers (in Dutch). There are 3 metering methods you can use:

  • an individual heat meter
  • a heat cost allocator
  • a cost distribution system

Disconnecting customers

The Heat Act describes rules on disconnecting customers from the heating grid (in Dutch). Disconnection can be temporary or permanent. Your customers can cancel a connection themselves, for example if they wish to have their own heat pump. In a number of situations you can disconnect a customer, such as fraud, or an unsafe installation.

Disagreements with customers

All heat suppliers must be registered with an independent disputes committee.  A disputes committee or complaints board offers advice, mediates, and presents a (binding) decision. You can join the Consumer Complaints Board, or another independent disputes committee.

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Supplying up to 100 kW heat | Business.gov.nl