1 October 2026

Contributing to a future-proof district heating network

The aquathermal plant harnesses heat from the River Amer to supply sustainably generated heat to homes and businesses connected to the district heating network in Central and West Brabant. The project marks an important next step in making the region’s heat supply more sustainable and contributes to a reliable long-term heat supply.

The agreement follows the earlier announcement that the current heat supply guarantee from the Amer power plant will end on 1 January 2027. Since then, the parties involved have been working closely together on sustainable alternatives for the region’s heat supply. Following earlier investments in e-boilers and the development of a thermal storage facility, another important building block is now being added to the future heating system.

RWE will develop, build and operate the aquathermal plant on the site of the Amer power plant. Ennatuurlijk will purchase the heat and use it within the regional district heating network to supply customers in Central and West Brabant with sustainable heat. Ennatuurlijk will also be responsible for procuring the renewable electricity used to produce the heat.

Rached Dekker, COO of Ennatuurlijk: "With this agreement, we are taking an important step towards a future-proof heating system for our customers. The aquathermal plant adds a new sustainable heat source to the district heating network in Central and West Brabant, helping us continue to supply reliable, affordable and increasingly sustainable heat to homes and businesses in the region. This development has been made possible in part by the constructive cooperation with RWE and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, for which we are grateful.”

Marinus Tabak, COO of RWE Generation and Country Chair of RWE Benelux: "This project demonstrates how collaboration accelerates the energy transition. By making smart use of heat from the River Amer, we are delivering an innovative, large-scale sustainable energy solution. We are proud to be investing together with Ennatuurlijk in a project that contributes both to a more sustainable heat supply and to a flexible energy system, as part of our OranjeWind wind farm."

Heat from the Amer

Aquathermal energy uses heat naturally present in surface water. In the new plant, heat from river water is upgraded using heat pump technology to reach the temperature required by the district heating network. This creates a sustainable heat source without emissions from combustion.

Contributing to a flexible energy system

With the aquathermal plant, Ennatuurlijk and RWE are not only creating a new sustainable heat source but also contributing to a more flexible energy system. The installation converts renewable electricity into heat, helping to better align energy supply and demand. For RWE, the project ties in with the system integration solutions associated with the OranjeWind offshore wind farm. The wind farm is being developed in partnership with TotalEnergies. OranjeWind combines a 795 MW offshore wind farm with investments in flexible electricity demand, such as e-boilers, electrolysers, battery systems and aquathermal energy, which help balance electricity generation.