HVC DISTRICT HEATING NETWORK EXPANSION

The project will support the promoter's heating business investment plan for the period 2020-2023. HVC'sinvestments concern both the expansion of its existing district heating networks in Alkmaar and Dordrecht, and its geothermal sources for the heating of greenhouses in the Westland area.

The EIB loan will finance the development and expansion of HVC's district heating (DH) networks and heat generation capacity in several locations in the Netherlands. The project scope comprises: (i) the extension of existing DH networks, currently supplied with residual heat from the Promoter's biomass and waste incineration plants in the municipalities of Alkmaar and Dordrecht (respectively in North Holland and South Holland provinces); as well as (ii) the expansion and development of the promoter's geothermal heat generation activities, including the associated DH network, in the municipality of Westland in the South Holland province.

Based on its technical characteristics, most of the project components are not expected to be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). However, the geothermal heat generation component as well as components potentially located close to a Natura 2000 site, would fall under Annex II of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2014/52/EU amending 2011/92/EU), which requires the competent national authority to determine the need for an EIA. The extension of the DH systems is projected to be carried out in densely built areas.

The Bank will require the Promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been and will be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation, (Directives 2014/24/EU and/or 2014/25/EU, where applicable, as well as Directive 92/13/EEC) as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required.