New heating law = new opportunities
The Dutch heat transition is in full swing. New heating companies and heating network initiatives are springing up all over the country. The next step is to move much faster from planning to implementation. That is what this Bonanza is all about. We bring together frontrunners such as municipalities, experts, and companies from the heating network sector to stimulate cooperation, accelerate innovation, and really get the transition up to speed. Fryslân embraces the Danish approach and is thus helping to pave a new Dutch route to sustainable, affordable collective heating. This opens the door to collaborations that will help shape the future of heat networks.
Everyone driving the transition is there.
Municipalities, governments, policymakers, and heating companies (existing and in formation) from across the Netherlands
Leading Danish consulting firms and suppliers: from planning and design to pipes, pumps, and heat production, everything needed to develop, build, and manage a district heating network.
About Confidence
Confidence is an international collaboration between Dutch municipalities, Danish partners, and European experts. We accelerate the development of heat networks by sharing knowledge, testing approaches, and building confidence in sustainable and affordable heating solutions.
Bonanzais a sudden source of wealth or opportunity.
For us, it represents a flow of ideas, collaboration, and acceleration. Just what the energy transition needs right now.
This was Confidence '25
Confidence '25 brought together pioneers, professionals, and policymakers around one question: how can we make heat networks feasible, explainable, and scalable? With insights from home and abroad and with room to learn from each other.
Tickets
The Confidence Bonanza brings together experts, municipalities, and companies from the district heating sector to accelerate collaboration and innovation. You can expect a mix of inspiring talks, an expo, workshops, and plenty of networking opportunities. Everything is focused on one goal: accelerating the Dutch heat transition.
Program
We will announce the full program and all speakers shortly. Below you will find the main points of the program.
Monday, April 13
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Dinner @ Proefverlof (for golden tickets only)
Tuesday, April 14 | NHL Stenden
9:30–10:00 Registration
10:00–10:15 Welcome and opening
10:15–11:45 Presentations, sessions, and speakers
11:45–12:15 Break
12:15–13:00 Presentations, sessions, and speakers
13:00 - 2:00 p.m. lunch
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. deep dive sessions
4:00 - 4:20 p.m. break
4:20 - 6:30 p.m. networking session
7:00 - 10:00 p.m. dinner @ Post Plaza
Wednesday, April 15 | NHL Stenden
8:30–9:30 a.m. Reflection on the first day and preview of today
9:30–10:45 a.m. Presentations, sessions, and speakers
10:45–11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m. Deep dive sessions
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. lunch
2:15 - 3:00 p.m. panel discussions
3:00 p.m. conclusion of official program
Keynotes and deep dives
Many outstanding keynote speakers and in-depth sessions with experts have already been confirmed. You won't want to miss this! See the highlights from the program below.
Keynote
Confidence : accelerating heat networks in the Netherlands
By Michiel de Wit and Andries Metz
Deep dive
Rewriting the rules: How Fryslân challenges assumptions about heat planning
National tools such as PBL's Start Analysis fall short for regions such as Fryslân. So we built our own. In this deep dive, several speakers show how Fryslân made the switch: from hardly any heat network potential to more than 100,000 connections. A story about smart analysis, strategic choices, and regional cooperation, with lessons for any region that wants to scale up.
By Andries Metz and Sacha de Haan
Deep dive
CHILL: a practical route to 100% sustainability
How can you achieve 100% sustainable heating without waiting for the perfect solution? Morten presents CHILL: a pragmatic approach that combines concrete steps with a long-term vision. He shows how you can reduce emissions now while working towards fully renewable heating. Inspiring for anyone who wants to accelerate the heating transition in practice.
Deep dive
Financing and the guarantee scheme for heating networks
How can you make a heat network project both financeable and scalable? Together with the Ministry of KGG, Caspar presents the heat network guarantee scheme, a crucial instrument for municipalities and project partners who want to get heat projects off the ground. From financing structures to risk management: discover what it takes to make a business case viable.
Deep dive
ZLT nets: the future or a side track?
In this session, Odgeir and Michiel will guide you through the crucial differences between 4th and 5th generation heat networks. He will demonstrate why 4th generation systems remain the backbone of the heat transition and when 5th generation concepts truly offer added value. Essential for planners, policymakers, and network operators.
Deep dive
How much does district heating actually cost, and who pays the bill?
Affordable district heating—is that really possible? Bernard and Maarten demonstrate this with actual figures from Bolsward, Balk, and Heerenveen. They share how the Confidence makes affordability feasible for residents in practice. Concrete results that show what is possible for local communities.
Practical information
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We encourage you to travel by public transport. NHL Stenden is easily accessible by bus; the bus stop is right outside the door.
Traveling by bike? There are plenty of bike parking spaces available.
Traveling by car? You can park in one of the three parking lots around NHL Stenden. The cost is €3.50 per day.
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Do you have any specific dietary requirements? Simply let us know when ordering your ticket. We will make sure everything is taken care of.
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Would you like to stay overnight? We recommend these hotels:
Notiz Hotel – NHL Stenden's own hotel. Ideally located. Notiz also offers a special package for Confidence .
Post-Plaza Hotel & Grand Café – Atmospheric and centrally located. Dinner will also be served here on Tuesday evening. It is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel to NHL Stenden. Use the code congres2026 to receive a discount on your overnight stay.
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Cancellation is only possible in writing or through the cancellation function on the registration page. The full terms and conditions regarding cancellation can be found in the terms and conditions.
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Do you have any additional questions? We are happy to help you via confidence