Waste heat recovery plant De Sleutel

The residual heat is transported from the Rotterdam port area to Leiden via a heat transport pipeline (WarmtelinQ). The heat transfer station is necessary to deliver heat from WarmtelinQ to the district heating network in Leiden. With the peak and backup installation, Vattenfall ensures a reliable heat supply, even during winter months with high heat demand (peak) or in case of disruptions and maintenance (backup). Part of the installation includes a large heat storage tank, approximately 35 meters high, which will be positioned at the corner of the roads. This ensures that the installation does not obstruct the view of surrounding businesses in the Bio Science Park.

Once the construction of the peak and backup installation is complete, Vattenfall will connect it to the district heating network in Leiden. The installation is expected to be operational by mid-2026. The first heat from the Rotterdam port will be supplied to Leiden in 2027. Once all work is completed, the site will be publicly accessible, for example, for a lunchtime walk.