Local strategic Heat Planning Poland Compressed

The building’s sector accounts for 38 % of the total energy consumed in Poland and 33 % of energy-related emissions and makes up a large share of fossil fuels imports. Russia’s war in Ukraine and the energy crisis have shed light on the threats and high costs of fossil fuel dependencies for several reasons — to security, climate change and environmental damage, and high costs for taxpayers and end consumers to keep homes warm. Decarbonising heat and the buildings sector are paramount to enhance energy security and resilience, cut emissions, alleviate energy poverty, and improve public health.

Local strategic heat planning, as defined in Article 25 of the recently finalised Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), offers a great opportunity to accelerate the transition to clean, local and renewable energy sources, insulated homes, and healthier and more resilient living environments. It is a key tool local and regional authorities can use to build the knowledge needed to understand in detail the local challenges, specificities, and potentials for the heat transition, and identify and deploy appropriate and tailored solutions for modernized and more efficient (district) heating systems, infrastructures, and buildings. Local strategic heat planning has therefore a great potential to accelerate the heat transition and make our living environments more climate-proof and resilient, while helping to reach national climate, environment, and energy goals more effectively. Unlocking the potential of local heat planning will require that local authorities have adequate and appropriate resources, capacities, and tools at hand. For this, new regulation, strengthened multi-level coordination and support frameworks will be needed.

This online event, organized by KAPE, Forum Energii and Energy Cities, brought together key EU, national and local stakeholders working with the heat transition in Poland and beyond to discuss the role and potential for local strategic heat planning to accelerate Poland’s heating transition. In light of the transposition of the Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU EED), the update of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and the publication of Forum Energii’s recent publication ‘ A future without gas and coal. A strategy for the heating sector, it highlighted current challenges and good practices to take inspiration and build further upon. – Webinar realised within the EU-funded project ECF Heating and Cooling –