Half of the energy in the EU is used for heating and cooling buildings, with the majority still derived from fossil fuels. District heating systems, more prevalent in central-eastern and northern Europe, account for about 10% of the EU’s heat demand.
There are approximately 10,000 district heating systems in the EU, serving 70 million people. Upgrading these systems to be more efficient and renewable-based is essential for meeting EU energy policy objectives. Significant investments are required, and the EU has allocated substantial funds for these upgrades in its 2021-2027 financial framework.
This guide aims to simplify the preparation of district heating decarbonisation projects to benefit from EU funding. It provides systematic practical advice based on JASPERS’ experience, covering areas such as analysis of the existing situation, objective setting, options analysis, definition of measures, and determination of an optimized set of measures. The document targets regions, municipalities, and district heating companies planning projects under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, reflecting best practices and EU regulations as of June 2024.