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Hagen starts municipal heat planning: On the way to decarbonization!
Hagen is developing a municipal heat plan for decarbonized heat supply by June 2026. Information about this on June 26th at the FH Südwestfalen.
Hagen starts municipal heat planning: On the way to decarbonization!
A fundamental step towards environmentally friendly heat supply is currently being taken in Hagen. The city has started to create a municipal heat plan in accordance with the new heat planning law. This law, which has been in force since January 1, 2024, is intended to establish uniform nationwide standards for the use of heat from renewable energies and unavoidable waste heat and to promote the expansion of district heating, such as BBSR reports.
The main goal of the city of Hagen is to identify suitable areas for the future of heat supply through district heating or district hydrogen through a suitability test. This important review is the first planning step and must be completed by June 30, 2026 at the latest Local compass reports.
The aptitude test and its results
The suitability test produced two different types of areas. Firstly, there are the “probable areas for decentralized heat supply”, including Garenfeld, Berchum and Rummenohl. These areas were classified as uneconomical for a centralized district heating or district hydrogen network. This means that the owners there have to rely on individual solutions, for example by installing air-water heat pumps or local district heating networks.
The second category is the “existing heat supply areas”, which include Emst and Altenhagen. There is already an existing district heating network here, which provides the basis for future sustainable heat supply. It's just a shame that hydrogen networks are currently not available in the Hagen city area.
Heat planning as a dynamic process
However, municipal heat planning in Hagen is not a one-off process, but is viewed as a dynamic process that is based on current circumstances. The city plans to analyze the existing heating infrastructure and involve the relevant stakeholders. An important date is already on the agenda for June 26th: from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. an event on the topic of “Sustainably warm – future heat supply in Hagen” will take place at the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, where Christine Kuhlmann from the Environment Agency will present the current status of municipal heat planning.
The Heat Planning Act specifies that municipalities must obtain 30% of their heat supply from renewable energies or unavoidable waste heat by 2030, and by 2045 this proportion is to rise to 100% for fossil-free heat networks, such as BMWSB shows. From March 1, 2025, a minimum requirement of 65% from renewable sources will be set for new buildings.
The importance of heat supply in Germany should not be underestimated: it accounts for over 50% of final energy consumption and is a crucial source of CO2 emissions. Fossil fuels such as gas and oil in particular are still heavily represented in households. With municipal heat planning, cities like Hagen are trying to address this problem and work towards a sustainable energy future.