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Progress in district heating: 130 meters laid, 180 in sight!
Brandenburg an der Havel is expanding its district heating network: 130 meters installed, 180 meters planned. Progress for climate-neutral heat.
Progress in district heating: 130 meters laid, 180 in sight!
Something is happening in the energy supply in Cologne: around 130 meters of district heating have already been installed, and a total of 180 meters are planned. The connection point to the existing district heating pipeline in the Wallpromenade will be occupied for the connection in October, which will require a temporary closure of Wallstrasse to ensure a smooth crossing. But don't worry, after the closure, work on the adjacent green area will remain undisturbed, reports the municipal utilities' construction supervisor, Andreas Stein, who is extremely satisfied with the progress in the project. The good cooperation between Bau Müller, the civil engineering company BiSP and the archaeologists from PMP contribute significantly to the success. In fact, the laying work was even completed ahead of schedule, meaning that the responsible company for infrastructure planning in Brandenburg (GIP) and its team of five employees, including four engineers, are doing an excellent job.
But that's just part of a bigger picture. Investments in district heating supply are not just limited to Cologne, but reflect a comprehensive trend. Berliner Energie undwärme GmbH (BEW) is planning investments of around 3.3 billion euros by 2030. The majority of this sum is to be financed through loans, with a high equity ratio of around 50% giving hope for good conditions on the debt capital market. A third of the investment amount has already been secured, while the conversion of the Reuter West thermal power plant from coal to renewable energies is in full swing.
Heating networks in focus
A sustainable conversion of district heating is crucial to achieving climate goals. As the AGFW emphasizes, efficient, greenhouse gas-neutral heating networks play a central role in the decarbonization of heat supply. The dependence on fossil fuels, as revealed by the Ukraine conflict, shows how urgently a rethink is needed. Within the next 20 years, fossil fuels must be replaced by renewable sources. The expansion of heating networks makes it possible to cover heating requirements centrally from renewable sources without every household having to deal with their own heaters.
Cologne can therefore look forward to a future in which heating networks not only make a decisive contribution to supplying communities, but also help to overcome the environmental challenges of our time. By 2045, the number of buildings connected to heating networks is expected to triple, with at least 100,000 new connections annually. The path to get there is clear: a reliable framework for providers and consumers, investment incentives and the removal of barriers are just as necessary as support through a changed legal environment.
The progress in the Cologne district heating project is therefore not only a locally important project, but also a small component in a groundbreaking process for climate-neutral heat supply throughout Germany. It will be interesting to see how these developments will unfold in the coming years.
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