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Upgraded and well-maintained district heating systems can surpass individual boiler systems in energy efficiency and environmental impact, contributing to the EU's environmental goals.

Many existing systems require upgrades to align with EU energy policies. The EU Strategy for Energy System Integration advocates for investments in smart, efficient, renewable-based district heating.

The market is currently challenging for fossil fuel-based systems due to stricter emission standards and increased costs under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Significant investments are necessary to transform these networks, reduce carbon intensity, and ensure sustainability. Public financing for these investments is available through various EU instruments.

Our experts have created the "Guide on Decarbonisation of District Heating Systems"  to streamline project preparation for EU funding and promote systematic approaches to district heating decarbonisation projects.

The webinar was organised jointly with the Energy Community Secretariat and in close coordination with the European Commission – DG ENEST and DG ENER.

The training emphasized the importance of upgrading district heating systems to meet EU energy policy objectives and addressed the challenges associated with project preparation for EU funding, as well as the experience collected over the years by JASPERS in support of preparation of District Heating decarbonization projects in several EU Member States.

 

Target audience

The target audience for this webinar were institutions and counterparts from Pre-accession and Eastern Neighbourhood countries that EIB Advisory supports under the JASPERS' mandates.

 

Objectives

  • To highlight the benefits of upgrading district heating systems for energy efficiency and environmental impact.
  • To discuss the current market context and the need for substantial investments in decarbonising district heating systems.
  • To provide insights into EU policy and EIB available support in terms of advisory and financing instruments available for these investments.
  • To present the JASPERS Guide on Decarbonisation of District Heating Systems and encourage systematic project preparation.
  • To present considerations for applying State aid rules to decarbonisation of District Heating systems.
  • To share case studies and practical experiences from EU Member States.

Participants had the opportunity to engage in Q&A sessions, discuss their needs for further advisory and capacity-building support, and share their questions and topics of interest through a pre-event questionnaire.

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Questions?

For any further enquiry on this webinar and in general on the activities of the JASPERS Knowledge Platform please write an email to jaspersnetwork@eib.org