Municipal heat planning

Municipal heat planning is a long-term, strategic process that is open to all technologies and aims to achieve a largely climate-neutral heat supply for the city. As a planning instrument, it coordinates the coverage of future heat requirements throughout the municipal area using locally available and sustainable heat sources.

The creation of a municipal heating plan is intended to show the city of Jena the way to a heating supply free of fossil fuels. The main objective is to designate heating network areas and areas for decentralized heat supply.

A map will later show in which areas of Jena which type of heat supply is recommended. The aim is to create planning and investment security for citizens, companies and the city itself. Property owners will thus be able to better plan which energy supply investment is the most economical for them and when. At the same time, heat planning should be ecologically, economically and socially compatible.

The city of Jena has commissioned Hamburg Institut Consulting GmbH to draw up the municipal heating plan. The core working group is supplemented by the City of Jena's Climate Team and Stadtwerke Jena Netze GmbH.

Representatives of the housing industry, companies, relevant associations and interest groups will be involved in the development of the heating plan at regular stakeholder meetings.

Two public information events are also planned.

The process for creating the municipal heating plan is roughly divided into the following work packages:

1. Inventory analysis - The current heat demand, the building stock and the energy infrastructure relevant to the heat supply are analyzed for the city of Jena and assumptions are made about the future development of heat demand.
2. Potential analysis - The potential for renewable energies available in the long term, for unavoidable waste heat and for central heat storage is estimated.
3. Target scenarios and development paths - Based on the future heat demand and the long-term potential available, sub-areas are identified that are suitable for heating network solutions. If a sub-area is not suitable for a heating network, it is indicated as an area for a decentralized heating solution. If no conclusive heat supply option can yet be determined for a sub-area based on the current data and knowledge situation, it is identified as a test area. The results of the target scenarios are made available to the public in various map views and planning documents.
4. Strategy and measures catalog - Based on the target scenarios, measures are derived for achieving a climate-neutral heat supply, which the city can implement itself or through agreements with third parties in the urban area. Possible measures include, for example, accelerated approval procedures for renewable energy plants, commissioning feasibility studies, promoting the expansion of renewable energies on roofs and open spaces, providing information and advice and developing neighborhood solutions.
5. Continuation strategy and controlling concept - The heating plan is to be reviewed regularly, at least every five years, on the basis of current information and findings and the progress made in implementing the strategies and measures identified is to be monitored.

Once completed, the municipal heating plan is submitted to the city council for approval. This is followed by the actual implementation of the municipal heating plan.

The development of municipal heating planning began in early January 2024 and should be completed in spring 2025. The target scenarios for the individual sub-areas are currently being defined. At the same time, the catalog of measures for implementing the municipal heat planning is being drawn up. The 4th and, for the time being, last stakeholder meeting will take place at the end of January 2025. The results of the municipal heat planning will then be published in February. All citizens will be invited to contribute their comments on the planning via an informal participation project. A public information event is also planned for February.

Heat planning is strategic planning and the results of heat planning are not legally binding. The municipal heating plan therefore represents an important information basis for third parties in order to inform stakeholders in the heating transition and the population about the envisaged future of the heating supply at an early stage. However, there is no entitlement or obligation to a specific supply.

This is based on the Heat Planning and Decarbonization of Heating Networks Act, or Heat Planning Act. It was passed by the Bundestag on 20.12.2023 and came into force on 01.01.2024.

In addition, the Heat Planning Act is linked to the Building Energy Act closely interlinked. Among other things, it stipulates that since 01.01.2024, only heating systems based on 65% renewable energy may be installed in new buildings within new development areas. For existing buildings, on the other hand, there are longer deadlines for replacing fossil heating systems. However, these requirements in the Building Energy Act only apply one month after the city council has passed a resolution on the designation of areas for the construction or expansion of heating networks or from 01.07.2026.

The preparation of the Jena municipal heating plan is funded by the National Climate Protection Initiative. With the National Climate Protection Initiative, the German government has been initiating and funding numerous projects that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions since 2008. Its programs and projects cover a wide range of climate protection activities: From the development of long-term strategies to concrete assistance and investment support measures. Diversity is a guarantee for good ideas. The National Climate Initiative helps to anchor climate protection on the ground. It benefits consumers as well as companies, local authorities and educational institutions. Further information is available here.

You can find advice on renovating buildings, replacing heating systems or installing photovoltaic systems on the city of Jena's energy advice website.