Act for heat planning and the decarbonization of heating networks
The Heat Planning and Decarbonization of Heating Networks Act was passed by the German Bundestag on 17 November 2023 and comes into force on 1 January 2024.
The Heat Planning Act creates a legal obligation for municipalities to carry out municipal heat planning (KWP).
Municipalities with up to 10,000 inhabitants must complete the KWP by 30.06.2028 at the latest.
The CHP is a key instrument for transforming the heat supply towards greenhouse gas neutrality. It is a strategic plan that is intended to show the path to decarbonizing the heat supply of a municipal area by the target year (2045).
Municipal heat planning is roughly carried out in four steps:
- Demand analysis to determine the total heat demand of all buildings in Leutershausen Potential analysis
- Potential analysis for heat generation (existing and accessible sources)
- Target scenario for how and in which steps a CO2-neutral heat supply can be achieved
- Implementation measures
The KWP does not contain any legal obligation to actually set up a local heating network. However, it can be used as a stepping stone towards a municipal heat supply. It is a public process in which local stakeholders are involved. The participation of the population may be required in the analysis of the current situation.
Once completed, the KWP will be published on the KWW (Competence Center for Municipal Thermal Walls) website.