A 10-Point Plan to accelerate the EU heat transition

On the 18th of October, we have signed a joint declaration together with Bio-energy Europe, European Heat pump Association (EHPA), CEE Bankwatch Network, Solar Heat Europe, Energy Cities, European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), European Partnership for Energy and Environment (EPEE), COGEN Europe and the European Biogas Association (EBA), highlighting a 10-Point Plan to accelerate the EU heat transition.

In Europe, heating accounts for 50% of energy demand, and 70% still comes from fossil fuels. During the past decade, little has been done to accelerate the clean transition of our heating and cooling industry.

The outdated European heating and cooling strategy published in 2016 (even before the EU committed to being climate neutral) requires a proper implementation framework that will match the ambition of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and responding to the challenges brought by the current energy crisis. The Fitfor55’ package is an essential step in this direction, but it is not enough to reap the full potential of renewable and sustainable waste-heat solutions.

The 10 point-plan is the basis for developing an ambitious heating and cooling strategy laying out concrete solutions to accelerate the roll-out of renewable and clean heating technologies in buildings, and in our industry.

Aurélie Beauvais, Managing Director of Euroheat & Power, commented:

''Efficient District Heating and Cooling is a proven solution to phase-out fossil fuel in buildings and shield consumers from soaring energy prices. Six months after the launch of the REPower EU, we must upgrade our emergency toolbox with concrete measures which accelerate the roll-out of clean heating technologies in buildings. Mandatory heat plannings, in particular, should be urgently introduced.''