Efficient heating networks play a central role in the transformation and construction of sustainable supply networks. In an open letter (as announced on 15 November), the Rohrleitungsbauverband (RBV), together with 18 other associations, calls for a significant increase in the Bundesförderung für effiziente Wärmenetze (BEW) in order to achieve the expansion targets in a socially responsible and reliable manner.
Climate targets: high investment in heating networks required
Germany's climate targets envisage a reduction in emissions of at least 65 % by 2030 compared to the base year 1990.
„Efficient heating networks are a key lever on the path to climate neutrality. They create the basis for large-scale utilisation of renewable energies and unavoidable waste heat and thus make a significant contribution to sustainably reducing emissions in the building sector“, explains RBV Managing Director Dipl.-Ing. Dieter Hesselmann.
In order to realise the ambitious plans of the German government - such as 50 % climate-friendly heat in heating networks by 2030 and tripling the number of connected buildings in the long term - there is a high need for investment, according to industry associations, which are estimated to be around 43.5 billion euros for the expansion of district heating. However, the subsidies planned in the federal budget to date are far from sufficient to achieve the above-mentioned target.
RBV: open letter to the German Bundestag
In an open letter to the German Bundestag, the Rohrleitungsbauverband (as part of an alliance of 19 associations) calls for an increase in BEW funding to at least 3.4 billion euros per year. In order to „decisively drive forward the expansion of district heating and at the same time make the heating transition socially acceptable“, this is essential to be able to fulfil the urgency of the heating transition.
„Increasing the BEW would have far-reaching benefits that could have a positive impact on the federal budget and housing costs beyond the heating transition. Cities and municipalities are actively developing municipal heating plans, which form a central pillar of local climate strategies. Secure funding for BEW will help local authorities to implement these plans“, argues the association.
„At the same time, higher funding protects the federal budget from the threat of EU compensation payments that could become due if the climate targets in the building sector are not met. It would also make it possible to keep the costs of heat supply stable and socially acceptable even in times of rising energy prices, which would relieve the burden on tenants and building owners in particular“, it continues.
„Supporting the heating transition requires political will and the provision of the necessary funds. The expansion of heating networks is a task for society as a whole that requires everyone's commitment. Together, the goal of climate neutrality can be achieved - with efficient and climate-friendly heating networks.“
(Source: RBV)
