Neutraubling City Council decides on groundbreaking heat planning for all households

Neutraubling City Council decides on groundbreaking heat planning for all households

At its October meeting, the Neutraubling city council unanimously approved the municipal heat planning. This plan is intended to show homeowners ways to achieve a heat transition and represents a central building block for the city's climate strategy. The planner Simon Markgraf from Steinbacher Consult GmbH presented the final presentation on heat planning, which sets out comprehensive options for energy supply.

The decision emphasized that it does not impose any restrictions on the freedom to decide on the installation of new heating systems. Gas heating systems may be installed in communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants until June 30, 2028, regardless of the status of heat planning. However, a possible designation of a heating network expansion area could extend this deadline, although this is not to be expected in Neutraubling.

Heating network projects and implementation

Heat projects are already being planned in the Gärtnersiedlung and “Feng Shui” areas that could enable supply via a heat network. Preliminary investigations into the feasibility and acceptance of these projects will begin in the coming months. Residents will be informed about this by REWAG or BERR eG and the city of Neutraubling.

For the successful implementation of the heating network, a high connection rate of homeowners is required in order to ensure cost-covering profitability. Homeowners who want to become independent of fossil heat sources should rely on renewable energies. The preferred heating systems are heat pumps or pellet heating systems, with solar energy being a useful addition.

Although the installation of gas heating is still possible under certain conditions, the running costs will increase due to CO2 pricing. District heating is recommended as a convenient solution, especially for multi-family homes, as the supplier assumes the legal obligations. Comprehensive energy advice is recommended to support the right decisions and use of funding opportunities.

Long-term goals of municipal heat planning

As part of this municipal heat planning, the aim is to reduce heat requirements by 21% and reduce CO2 emissions by 88% by 2040. From 2029, specific proportions of renewable energy must be met when replacing a heating system. Funding opportunities for heating optimization and renovation measures are still available and offer grants and tax bonuses.

Municipal heat planning is crucial for the decarbonization of the heating sector in Germany and is supported by the Heat Planning Act, which comes into force in 2024. The Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) emphasizes that 98 percent of municipalities with more than 45,000 inhabitants have started or completed heat planning. The goal is a climate-neutral heat supply by 2045, with the heat planning process being adapted regionally.

A national overview shows that almost half of German municipalities are actively in the planning process, with both smaller and larger municipalities making varying progress. Bavaria records a low level with only 2% of heat planning completed. However, a comprehensive will to cooperate is evident, as many communities have joined together in convoys to shape the planning process together. These efforts are necessary to effectively address challenges such as resource building and staff shortages.

For the future, the KWW heat transition atlas will be continuously updated to document progress in heat planning and to support municipalities in implementing their individual strategies. The data on the existing heat supply, energy requirements and network infrastructure are thoroughly recorded and evaluated.

For more detailed information on the progress and challenges in heat planning, see the reports below the city of Neutraubling, BDEW as well as DEEA accessible.