Energy Minister - State plans consulting services for municipal heat planning
The state of Thuringia wants to take its municipalities by the hand when it comes to municipal heating planning. A nationwide advisory service is planned, Energy Minister Bernhard Stengele (Greens) told the German Press Agency on Wednesday after talks with representatives of the housing industry and municipal companies. Reliability in planning and financing is needed for both municipal heating planning and implementation - "we don't want to leave this to the market alone."
Smaller municipalities in particular are "logically overburdened" with the requirements of heat planning, Stengele continued. In addition to the low number of staff, there are currently special issues such as the accommodation of refugees. The range of advice on offer here should be expanded at state level. The state's energy agency (ThEGA), Thüringer Energie AG (TEAG) and municipal utilities could provide advice. At federal level, the state is campaigning for funding in the area of heat planning and for the implementation of sustainable heating concepts. The issue of guarantees plays a role at state level.
Small municipalities should not wait too long
According to the Heat Planning Act, large cities are to submit heat plans by mid-2026 and the remaining municipalities by mid-2028. In future, citizens will be able to use these to determine whether their street will be connected to the district heating network or whether the electricity grid will be reinforced for heat pumps. In Thuringia, only Erfurt and Jena will initially have to submit a plan. Stengele said that large municipalities can do this well on their own. However, smaller towns and municipalities in particular should not wait too long.
The issue is closely linked to the Heating Act, which aims to make heating more climate-friendly by gradually replacing oil and gas heating systems. Essentially, it stipulates that every newly installed heating system must be operated on the basis of 65% renewable energy in future. It is due to come into force at the beginning of 2024 - but will initially only apply to new-build areas. For existing buildings, a municipal heating plan is to be used as a basis for owners to decide what to do.
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- The state of Thuringia, recognizing the challenges faced by smaller municipalities in heat planning, is planning a nationwide advisory service for municipal heating, led by Energy Minister Bernhard Stengele.
- In Erfurt, one of the two initial cities in Thuringia required to submit a heat plan, local residents will soon be able to determine if their street will connect to the district heating network or if the electricity grid will reinforce heat pumps.
- According to Bernhard Stengele, larger municipalities can handle heat planning competently, but smaller towns and municipalities should not delay their plans, as they are also subject to the Heat Planning Act's deadlines.
- The German Energy Agency and municipal utilities have been identified as potential providers of consulting services for smaller municipalities, empowering them to develop and implement sustainable heating concepts.
- Bernhard Stengele, the Energy Minister, emphasizes the importance of securing funding at both state and federal levels to ensure reliable implementation of municipal heat planning, promoting a more eco-friendly and energy-saving future for German communities.
Source: www.stern.de
