No central heat supply for ILE communities: future uncertain!

No central heat supply for ILE communities: future uncertain!

In the last general meeting of the ILE National Parking communities, a crucial interim report on municipal heat planning was presented. These communities, which come together from Bavarian Eisenstein, Frauenau, Lindberg, Neuschönau, Spiegelau and St. Oswald-Riedlhütte, strive for practical and sustainable heat supply. As reported pnp, a central heat planning is currently in question. Instead, the possibilities of decentralized heat supply is actively sought.

The recently entered into force that has entered into force on January 1, 2024 in Germany, hires federal states to plan municipal heat supply. The ILE communities are in a particular situation, but benefit from the overarching goals of nationwide heat planning, which according to BDEW aims to advance the heat transition. The legislator would like to ensure that efficient heat planning will promote sustainable energy sources and reduce CO2 emissions.

workshops on citizens' information

For autumn 2025, two workshops are planned that will offer citizens information about the heat turnaround and individual consultations for real estate. However, the exact dates are still pending. ILE chairman Karlheinz Roth and Sven Päplow from the Office for Rural Development of Lower Bavaria spoke on funding. Applications for the regional budget 2026 can now be made. A unanimous decision by the mayors also ensures that these funds apply, which will provide a total of 75,000 euros for projects.

But how is the heat supply in general? In fact, the heat supply in Germany is over 50 % of the final energy consumption and is responsible for a significant part of the CO2 emissions, such as the website of the Federal Ministry. At the moment, the majority of the heat requirement is still covered by fossil fuels, which has to change in the context of climate neutrality.

The challenges of heat planning

The deadlines for creating the heat plans are clearly specified: municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants have to present a plan by June 30, 2026, while smaller ones have time until June 30, 2028. In Bavaria and Saxony, for example, these laws only have to be implemented in state law. Complex framework conditions require special support here to advance the implementation.

The federal government has also provided a total of 500 million euros by 2028 to support municipal heat plans. This is done to promote the necessary switch to renewable energies and waste heat. From March 1, 2025, new heat supply networks will have to draw at least 65 % of their thermal energy from renewable sources-a big goal that the ILE communities presents with new challenges.

It remains exciting how municipal heat planning will develop in these communities. The focus on decentralized solutions could prove to be promising in order to achieve the climate goals and at the same time to actively involve the citizens in the process.