Gothenburg leads the district heating development in Europe.

A press release from Göteborg Energi states that a milestone has now been passed in the EU project CELSIUS. IMCG took part in writing the EU application, supports the project with communication services and long-term business development.

From the press release, dated 5 April 2016

One year ahead of time, more than 50 Europan cities have been recruited to become members of the district heating and cooling project CELSIUS. Over a period of four years, the project aims to help other European cities become more energy efficient through the use of district heating and cooling systems. Gothenburg’s district heating network, dating back to the 1950s, is now a European leader.

“That 50 European cities have joined CELSIUS is a confirmation that we, together with the people of Gothenburg, have chosen the right path towards creating a sustainable city. Our purposive and long-term strategic engagement with district heating has made us a role model in Europe and the world. We have accumulated knowledge and expertise over the years that we can now share with other cities, so that they in turn can reduce their carbon emissions. The people of Gothenburg can really feel proud of our district heating system,” says Ann-Sofie Hermansson, Mayor and Chair of the Gothenburg City Executive Board.

Each of the 50 member cities participating in CELSIUS face different conditions for working with district heating and cooling. In some cities, the district heating network is widespread and in others it is still on the starting block.

Golden opportunity
One of the cities that have joined the project is Lille in France. They see participation in the project as a golden opportunity to quickly gain access to new knowledge for developing and increasing the energy efficiency of their heating and cooling systems.

“We aim to double our district heating network by 2030. To do so we plan to create a district heating network from the waste incineration plant, which is about 20km away, to the substations. This network could supply new users and eliminate the use of coal and gas as energy sources,” says Alain Bézirard, energy advisor in the city of Lille.