Croatian district heating sector support facility

Introduction

The importance of district heating systems (DHS) in achieving decarbonisation targets is highlighted in several EU policies and strategies that emphasise the vital role district heating (DH) is expected to have in the climate-neutral future of Europe. Croatia has also put great emphasis on DH within its policies and acts, as one of the drivers of the transition away from the current fossil-based heating.

Current State of Infrastructure

However, the assumed significance of such a system is not matched with the current state of the infrastructure that is expected to be the backbone of the decarbonisation efforts both in the EU and Croatia.

National Energy Strategy

The Energy Strategy of the Republic of Croatia for 2030 with a view to 2050 explicitly recognises the importance of increased energy efficiency in the building sector as well as in the DH sector and sets overall national goals for both sectors.

Development Requirements

The requirements for the further development of the DH sector have been identified and include:

1. Intensive reconstruction of existing DHS, which is obsolete and generates considerable energy losses.
2. Technological advances in the DH sector.

Additionally, the Long-term Strategy for National Building Stock Renovation by 2050 for the Republic of Croatia recognises the importance of DHS in achieving the set targets regarding the retrofit of buildings and a corresponding decrease of GHG emissions, as well as the need for DH modernisation and reconstruction.

Project Overview

D2Heat will develop a tender dossier for DH investments that incentivises the use of innovative technologies and equipment that bank on the EE first principle.

Project Consortium

Together with the project consortium consisting – amongst other partners – of the 4 largest DH companies in Croatia covering approximately 98% of total heat delivered, D2Heat aims to develop a technical support facility that will provide the needed services to the stakeholders in the sector.

Investment Goals

D2Heat aims to launch €39.9M investments by the end of the action in:

• Renewable energy production capacities
• Heat storage within the existing DH networks
• Retrofit and replacement of old pipes and distribution network equipment
• Upgrade of monitoring and control mechanisms