05/05/2026: Groningen: turning a gas capital into a carbon-neutral city

Though Groningen sits on top of the once Europe’s largest natural gas field, the Municipality of Groningen is a national frontrunner in becoming carbon neutral. Consequently, the municipality founded WarmteStad as a publicly owned district heating company to accelerate the decarbonization of heating. WarmteStad’s 4th-generation district heating network aims to replace natural gas in 27,000 homes by 2035, with 60% of heat currently produced sustainably. They are on track to reach these goals as the network is powered by a resilient mix of sustainable sources: data center waste heat, one of the world’s largest solar thermal parks, and a seasonal underground heat storage facility that captures summer heat for winter use. By combining technical innovation, public ownership, and strong community engagement, WarmteStad is not just replacing fossil fuels. It is building a smarter, fairer, and more sustainable urban energy system that puts people and planet first.