WarmtelinQ (Gasunie) installs 1,562 m HDD for Rotterdam–The Hague–Leiden heat network

Key highlights
  • WarmtelinQ (Gasunie) installed a 1,562-metre underground heat pipeline using horizontal directional drilling (HDD).
  • The drilling completes the final section of the heat transport network linking Rotterdam, The Hague and Leiden.
  • Once finished, about 120,000 homes and commercial buildings will be able to receive residual heat from the Port of Rotterdam.
  • Project development began in 2022 and aims to decarbonise heat supply and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Milestone completed

WarmtelinQ, a subsidiary of Gasunie, carried out a 1,562-metre horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operation to install an underground heat transport pipeline as the final construction section for the Rotterdam–The Hague–Leiden network. The work was expected to be completed later today.

Project scope

Since 2022 WarmtelinQ has been developing an underground heat transport network to make residual heat from the Port of Rotterdam available to municipalities including The Hague, Rijswijk, Voorburg and Leiden and surrounding communities. Once completed, approximately 120,000 homes and commercial buildings will be able to benefit from this sustainable heat source.

Technical approach

The 1,562-metre pipeline section was installed using HDD to place the heat pipeline underground without causing major disruption above ground, a process that requires expertise, precision and close collaboration with contractors. "This drilling operation demonstrates what we are technically capable of achieving to enable the energy transition," said Inge Aardse, director of Heat Transport at Gasunie.

Strategic impact

WarmtelinQ aims to decarbonise the regional heat supply and strengthen energy independence by using locally available residual heat, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels imported from abroad and contributing to a more resilient energy system.

Source: Gasunie

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